Xun Melee Infantry

Jian Sword Guards

The jian is a straight, double-edged sword known as the 'Gentleman of Weapons', and considered to be one of the four major weapons alongside the gun, dao and qiang. It takes a year of training before one is considered competent enough to use it, and so only the most skilled swordsmen are equipped with it.

The role of the Jian Sword Guard is to hold the line against enemy attacks, and their swordsmanship, leather armour and gourd shields enable them to do this long after others have fallen to exhaustion.

Unit Abilities

• Caltrops
  Simple nut husks, once trodden upon, cause extreme pain and slow movement.
• Smoke Screen
  Thick plumes of smoke obscure line of sight, making units seem temporarily invisible.
• Miasma
  The dense and tough undergrowth that plagues the jungles of the South is a hindrance to all those who try to penetrate into the heartlands of the Nanman.
• Circle
  The unit forms into a tight circle, presenting a defensive front from any angle.
• Loose
  The unit spreads apart, making it more difficult for arrows to hit them.
• Shield Wall
  The unit presents a wall of shields to the enemy - an offensive formation best used to push forward under arrow fire. However the formation cannot be maintained in melee combat.

Attributes

• HIDE IN FOREST
  Can hide in forests.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Role: frontline
  Frontline units are tough and able to withstand a beating; they will hold to the end, while others around flee. They are also adept at charging into enemy frontline units.
• Blocks melee attacks
  This unit is highly skilled in parrying and dodging incoming melee attacks.
• Weak against cavalry
  This unit is very vulnerable to cavalry charges, especially to the flanks.