• Units

Date Spear Infantry

Date Bulletproof Samurai

Heavily armoured and highly trained, these spearmen are able to withstand enemy musketry and keep going forwards. Their heavy armour can keep out many bullets, but it makes them slow moving. However, their strength and offensive spirit more than makes up for that shortcoming: they really can charge musketeers with a good chance of success. Their spears also make them a formidable force against cavalrymen.

Samurai armour was, and is, renowned for its beauty and intricate designs but, as warfare changed following the introduction of muskets, beautiful workmanship had to evolve. Leather layers in armour had been enough to protect against arrows, but bullets demanded new standards for armour. Like European armourers, Japanese smiths would prove their wares by firing bullets at it. Original pieces of the period still retain the “proof” dents from successfully keeping out a bullet. A sensible warrior bought or used armour only if it had such damage!

Unit Name Date Bulletproof Samurai

Unit Key UP1_Inf_Spear_Yari_Bulletproof_Samurai_Date

Soldiers 160

Category Melee Infantry

Class Spear Infantry

Multiplayer Cost 1000

└ Multiplayer Limit 4

Recruitment Cost 900

├ Recruitment Turns 2

└ Unit Limit 4

Upkeep Cost 200

Melee Attack 8

└ Melee Weapon spear

Charge Bonus 12

Bonus vs Cavalry 25

Melee Defence 9

Armour 9

Morale 10

Abilities

• Rapid Advance
  Increases a unit's movement speed and charge bonus for a short period of time.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Bulletproof armour makes them very resilient against matchlocks.
• Heavier armour makes them slow.
• Very high armour and melee defence.
• Very good vs cavalry.
• Average melee attack.