ABOUT THE RIBAUDEQUIN.-
As I understand from the way the cannons are designed in the game
- If you have enough unique units or siege bonuses: Only Bombarda
- If you don’t have enough unique units or siege bonuses: Bombarda and Culverina
- If you are a Civ. from Europe and you do not have extra units or with area damage: Bombarda and Ribaudequin
The English and French are a special case, as they don’t have unique “Extra” units, their unique units replaces a position (Longbow Archer replaces Archer, Royal Knight replaces Knight), even with the French cannon, it replace bombard. So the Ribaudoquin suits them well as an area damage unit and Imperial siege super weapon. Also the English invented them, (thanks to Eduard III) and were the first to use them, so technically they should be a 3rd Age English Early unit (Early Ribauldequin), but if they did, they’d be broken, and they already were with their feudal rush, so its enough with only having them. Maybe the devs could give the English some bonus to Ribauldequin to make them cheaper or faster to produce? I mean, they are its inventors. Anyway, back to the topic.
I’m assuming the HRE has culverine instead because the Landsknecht already does a similar job with splash damage. Other Civs that could have it would be Italy, Hungary and Poland-Lithuania, because historically they use them.
Of course: I only ask please, DO NOT make the Portuguese civ centered in Ribaudequines. Not even the Portuguese like it. In fact, there is no outstanding historical moment in the history of Portugal that includes them, neither militarily nor anecdotally. The Portuguese preferred “Shrapnel Shot” using falconets and rifles, but they did that by spraying bullets and firing them for area damage, not using multiple cannons.
ABOUT IDEAS OF UNIQUE UNITS.-
On the other hand, the musketeer could not be a single unit, unless it is a specific body to which we refer. To be a unique unit you must have, in my opinion, 3 criteria: 1).- Have a special ability, 2).- Have some outstanding bonus or characteristic that separates it from a common unit with another civ, 3).- Have a base Historical, even if anecdotal.
It happens as much for the Warrior Monk, in memory of Pelinalt and the generals revered as saints in the Rus-Mongolian war, and for the Keshik, the elite corps of the Mongolian army and royal guard.
Arbaletrier.- is the name given to the French crossbowman, considering that the French crossbowmen of the 100 Years War, who used giant shields, are a body that is very historically remembered. Although Genoese crossbowmen were initially used, after the destruction of an entire battalion at the Battle of Crecy (1346), there are no records of these mercenaries being officially used again in France. However, his memory remained etched in the French people, perhaps thanks to the minstrels, and the pavé shield and crossbows became popular in France and continued to be used for the rest of the 100-year war, so it is good to recognize them. Here information from Osprey (David Nicolle, French Army of the Hundred Years Wars p39) about the importance given to the crossbowman in France in the 100 years war.
“MUSKETEER”
Sadly, the Musketeer is an Aoe3 base unit for various civs for a reason: all European civs used it for 1600 and up, but that’s the time of AoE3. Well, in reality, they work in pair with Arquebusiers and was distributed depending on the idiosyncrasies and expenses of the country, but in the end, it is not a unique unit, unless it is a specific body of musketeers. In the case of the Spaniards, they had the ########### de Tercio" and had special characteristics, such as that they were paid “little”, they dressed poorly, but they marched and aimed with incredible coordination. From the French, I know they have the Mousquetaires de la garde, thanks to Mickey’s version of the 3 musketeers (I never got around to reading the original book of the three musketereers, I had one in my library, but it got been eaten by moths). Sadly, again, they were created in 1622… and I already think that then we overdid the historical time frame of the game. They would be fine for Aoe3, in fact the 4th age evolution of the French Musketeer has that name, and there are some French cards referencing them:
War Cog.- Curiously, the new unique French unit, the War Cog, existed historically and is even recognized as the main ship they used for war. Again, from Osprey (War Cog - David Nicolle, French Army of the Hundred Years Wars):
ROUTIER.-
About the Routier, I remember having suggested it in another topic, using it as some kind of Shock Infantry (infantry that fulfills the role of cavalry), or mercenary light cavalry, or cheap infantry. I remember them from the campaign, historically they were supposed to be a new single French mercenary unit, but the damned rebelled against the country and caused destruction because it was more convenient for them.
Following the example of the Russian Militia troops, they could be a mercenary unit that is created but lasts for a while, and if you don’t get rid of them in time, they become a gaian unit that attacks any player, like wolves. It would be funny.
In fact, that mechanic of mercenaries or special troops of a single age, it would be nice if it was allowed to give some temporary regional units to several Civs:
- Routier.- for France. Comes in the form of an Archer, Swordsman, and Light Cavalry. Cheap and is created in group, and only costs gold. Extra damage against villagers and buildings. Limited life time and becomes Gaia at the end of her contract. Feudal age, and cannot advance to veteran or elite and does not improve stats between ages. They cannot be deleted, now is your probleme, jeje.
Note: the routier “archer” throws stones with his hands, so cause siege damage but have low range and low damage, jeje.
