The Reiters (from the German word Ritter, meaning knight) are a complement of heavily armored soldiers with firearms. They can weaken the enemy by shooting, and then destroy them in melee combat. However, the Reiters are inferior in skill to both professional shooters and 'true' heavy cavalry. Reiter regiments comprise up to 2000 cavalrymen, with one squadron equipped with lances and the rest with pistols. Like waves, ranks of Reiters gallop towards the enemy and overwhelm them by pistol fire.