Hakkapeliita are a type of light cavalry in Empire: Total War.
Description[]
Light cavalry are used to screen an army and act as its eyes and ears; they can also pursue fleeing enemies and keep them from regrouping.
These horsemen have many national titles, and military fashion plays a huge part in their employment and naming: light horse, chasseurs à cheval, chevau-légers, even hussars and dragoons are used as titles by light cavalry forces. Regardless of the name, their purpose, tactics and equipment usually have much in common. They disdain armour, even the sensible steel skull caps favoured by many beneath their officially sanctioned tricornes and helmets. They carry swords, carbines and pistols, but they are not expected to charge home, merely harass and pursue enemies. Their horses are always fast with good endurance, well bred and well looked after: a cavalryman without his horse is, after all, useless.
Traditionally, light cavalry forces also undertook the role of communications for an army. Their speedy horses made them ideal for carrying messages between camps, or as gallopers on the battlefield. They were also among the most “dandified” of soldiers, and light cavalry uniforms of the period are some of the gaudiest ever created. This made recruitment easy, because prospective troopers could see what a dashing figure they would cut for the ladies!
General Information[]
These cavalry are unique to Sweden (among playable factions) and are available from the beginning. They are a cut above the Provincial Cavalry and are defensively much more capable than Regiments of Horse. However, they are one of the few types of cavalry in the Swedish/Danish/Norwegian cavalry roster that does not benefit from the 25-33% increase in manpower cavalry units under these factions usually benefit from.