The Lifeguard is an infantry musketeer/marksman unit of the Kingdom of Sweden. Hence their name, Lifeguards are elite musketeer units that are only engaged when defending artillery or the general from infantry or cavalry assaults. Carrying slightly better head and body armor and equipped with a Good Miquelet Musket and Broadsword, Lifeguards are an improved version of the weaker blue Musketeers. Due to their high stats at marksmanship, they can defeat other Infantry Musketeer Units from rivaling factions in both range, accuracy, and firepower. The only infantry musketeer units that are equal to the Lifeguard in terms of equipment and stats are the Polish German Infantry Musketeer and Cossack Serduk.
Tactics[]
The Lifeguard is the best infantry musketeer unit that the Kingdom of Sweden can muster. Its impressive stats in marksmanship and equipment makes it more efficient in battle than its weaker blue counterpart and is less likely to flee from the battlefield. Combining their high marksmanship and equipment enables them to shoot down large amount of enemies from longer distances. Even from afar, one Lifeguard can kill a heavily armored Winged Hussar, Swedish Reiter, or Noble Guard with a single shot, so underestimating this ranged troop is not a good idea. Keep in mind that although they are superior to many ranged Units and can shoot down even the best horsemen in the game, they are still vulnerable to melee against infantry and cavalry units, especially the heavily armored ones. Their camisole is light armor, so one or two well-placed saber or sword cuts can easily kill them.
To use them effectively in battle, especially when an army of horsemen comes charging toward your Lifeguards, be sure to have pikemen in front of your musketeers to counter an enemy cavalry charge, or else they will overwhelm and slaughter them. Placing both troops on top of a hill is highly beneficial, for the enemy horses will slow down, making them easy targets for your Lifeguards. To inflict higher casualties, order your Lifeguards to open fire when the cavalrymen are a few paces away, so time your orders well! During sieges, Lifeguards are efficient at suppressing fire on waves of attacking or defending enemies.
If your army is highly composed of horsemen against a Swedish army composed of Lifeguards, a head-on approach is a bad idea, especially when you are alone and not mounted. Instead, out maneuvering and flanking the enemy with your light, medium, and heavy cavalry units is a more tactical approach. Charging toward them from the flanks can from lead to minor to considerable losses, but if your cavalry charge is successful and your army manage to overwhelm them, victory and precious loot will be yours.
Stats and equipment[]
Lifeguard - Default Stats and Equipment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Trivia[]
- Historically, the Life Guards of Sweden were charged with the protection of the Swedish monarch, especially during times of war, when they would lead armies on the battlefield.
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Wikipedia has an article on this subject at: Life Guards (Sweden) |
Troops of the Swedes | ||
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Village Recruits | ![]() | |
Garrison Militia | ![]() |
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Regular Infantry | ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Guard Infantry | ![]() ![]() | |
Regular Cavalry | ![]() | |
Heavy Cavalry | ![]() ![]() | |
Personal Guard Cavalry | ![]() | |
Camp Mercenaries (between Siegevold and Weissenstein) |
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Regional Mercenaries (Koenigsberg • Riga) |
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Regional Mercenaries (Narva • Allenstein Castle) |
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National Mercenaries | ![]() ![]() ![]() |