The 5e Regiment de Hussards are a unique light cavalry regiment in Napoleon: Total War. They are available to France with the Elite Regiment Pack DLC, which was available for free with the standard boxed edition of the game, then released as part of the Imperial Eagle Pack DLC.
Description[]
Hussards are a light cavalry force, and very effective when sent against skirmishers and artillery.
These veterans of the American War of Independence possess hard-earned battle experience. Light and fast, they can quickly reach areas of the battlefield where they are most needed, cutting down the enemy with their curved sabres. Their speed makes them especially effective against units such as artillery and skirmishers, as they can close before taking too much fire. Heavier cavalry units or line infantry in square will overmatch the Hussards, as their mounts are chosen for speed, not strength.
The 5e Regiment de Hussards has its roots in the Légion de Lauzun, which was formed in 1778 and saw action during the American War of Independence. The regiment earned itself a reputation for bravery and stoic resolve at the Battle of Yorktown where it chased down a unit of light horse commanded by the famous British commander Banastre Tarleton. The Légion de Lauzun was renamed in 1793 and became the 5e Regiment de Hussards, seeing service in several key battles of the Napoleonic Wars before eventually being disbanded in November 1815.
General Information[]
The 5e Regiment de Hussards are France's only non-missile, sword-wielding light cavalry. This means that they are useful for fighting multiple, brief engagements, without having to worry about friendly fire but also without the ranged capabilities of the Chasseurs à Cheval. Compared to standard light cavalry in other factions, they have superior stats in every category. They are statistically near identical to the British 15th Hussars and Austria's Hungarian Hussars, with the exception of their much cheaper upkeep costs.
The 5e Regiment de Hussards are more expensive than Chasseurs à Cheval, but have slightly better melee and a better charge bonus. However, they lack the ranged capabilities of Chasseurs à Cheval, and are thus less flexible to use.