The 18th Regiment d’Infanterie de Ligne “The Brave” are line infantry in Napoleon: Total War. They are available to France with the Heroes of the Napoleonic Wars DLC.
Description[]
These soldiers are line infantry, and more versatile than their lesser comrades.
The 18th Regiment are revered by their fellow countrymen, who know them as “The Brave”. They are experienced soldiers and that makes them valuable on the battlefield. Formed into a line, they can deliver a volley of fire into an enemy, follow it with a decisive charge and then finish the foe in close combat. Brave or not, they are still vulnerable to artillery and sniping by skirmishers. Like other line infantry, they can form square to repulse enemy cavalry.
The 18th Regiment were at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, at that time the largest battle to have taken place on European soil. It was also a decisive victory for the forces of the Sixth Coalition, and Napoleon was forced to retreat. This persuaded the smaller German states to join the Coalition. Thanks to Leipzig, the Coalition forces outnumbered the French; apart from anything else, Napoleon had lost his Grande Armée during his failed Russian campaign in 1812. The Coalition further weakened Napoleon’s forces by avoiding battle with the emperor, instead attacking his less able sub-ordinates.
General Information[]
These troops are dependable line infantry, and are superior to regular French Fusiliers of Line in most categories. In the French unit roster, their stats are in-between Young Guard and fusiliers of line, making them among the best non-guard line infantry in France's army. Unlike guard infantry, they do not inspire nearby units. Nonetheless, the 18th Regiment can reliably whittle down enemy troops and be counted on to hold the line, particularly if adequately supported by nearby troops. Like all line infantry, they are vulnerable to artillery, skirmisher fire, and being attacked from the flank or rear.