The members of the warband are lightly armed and equipped, relying more on speed as a protection from foes. ArchersĪrcher warbands are used to harass and break up enemy formations, so that other warriors can then get in amongst their enemies. They are fairly useless in melee combat, and should not be subjected to it. They can also be useful for acting as a distraction to the enemy, to lure them into an ambush, or to create a diversion by attacking some target. These skirmishers are restricted to peppering the enemy with long-range javelins before the actual battle commences. The peltasts were the original Thracian warriors. Peasants should be used as an absolute last resort, or in cases where funds are extremely short. They are cheap to train, however, and their one advantage is an ability to hide well. Poorly armed and with little military experience, their morale and discipline are both understandably low. This makes them a valuable addition to mid-game armies all the way through to the end game.ĭespite their status as elite infantry, infanterie de marine still have the vulnerabilities of line infantry, such as being attacked in the flanks or rear by cavalry, being bombarded by artillery, and engaging in combat with dedicated melee troops.The last option of any desperate army (except perhaps slaves or convicts), peasants are good for increasing your numbers…and not much else. Like other foreign elite infantry, infanterie de marine can be obtained much earlier than Shogunate/ Imperial/ Republican Guard Infantry thanks to their only needing a trading district port rather than the end-game Army War College, despite their stronger overall stats. They are more expensive to train and maintain than any other elite infantry. Their melee stats, on the other hand, are unremarkable for elite infantry, being about equivalent to that of Shogunate/ Imperial/ Republican Guard Infantry. Infanterie de marine are unparalleled in terms of accuracy and reloading. The Ministere de la Marine, glad to keep the infanterie de marine, let them get on with it.
It suited the Ministry to divert marines to keep the colonies in order, rather than to help the Navy! As a result, the Navy had to recruit its own “fusiliers-marins” to replace what should have been its marines. Oddly, infanterie de marine weren’t directly controlled by the French Navy, but by the Ministere de la Marine, the civil servants who ran the navy and also the French colonies. This meant they saw a good deal more action than most of the French army, usually against troublesome British fellows. The troupes de marine were intended to fight overseas, and in the new French colonies. Apart from being a brilliant administrator and statesman, he was also used later as the chief villain in Dumas’ tale, “The Three Musketeers” sadly for Richelieu’s other achievements, that’s how most people know of him. The infanterie de marine could trace their origins back to 1622, when the troupes de marine were established by Cardinal Richelieu, Louis XIII’s chief minister. Like all infantry, however, bravery and dash are no use when bombarded by artillery. As Frenchmen they naturally have élan, and this gives them very good melee in most circumstances.
They are also well able to charge into melee and give a good account of themselves. This allows them to pour accurate and rapid fire into enemies stupid enough to act as targets.
They are armed with modern breech-loading rifles and are well trained in their use. These French line infantry are tough, capable soldiers, well used to fighting in all corners of the world and dealing with whatever hardships and enemies of France they encounter. These hardy marines have learned their business in tough, colonial wars across the world. Infanterie de Marine are a type of elite infantry in Fall of the Samurai.