Infanterie Petit-Vieux are elite infantry in Empire: Total War.
Description[]
The reputation of these elite soldiers and the example they set provides encouragement to comrades nearby.
These men are a cut above the average line infantry regiment and they are often the lynchpin of a commander’s battle strategy. The presence of such men in the line of battle is enough to lift the hearts of all those around them, strengthening their determination to resist any enemy. A general can be confident that these men will hold, and he can base the rest of his strategy around that fact.
The factors which lead a regiment to acquire an exalted position within its country’s military are hard to define: training and skill play their part, but in the main it is physical and mental endurance that keeps good men fighting even when the tide of battle is against them. A lucky few carry such strength within themselves, but others derive it from the proud martial traditions of their regiment. In Europe, the famous ‘vieux’ and ‘petits-vieux’ regiments of France have centuries of such history to call upon, whilst the various deeds of the British Coldstream Guards and Black Watch regiments reinforce the natural grit of the men in their ranks.
General Information[]
Though they are limited in number, Infanterie Petit-Vieux represent a formidable force due to their superior statistics to regular French line infantry. Although they are outclassed by the Infanterie Vieux and later the Maison du Roi, Infanterie Petit-Vieux are available earlier.
In skirmishing modes, the Infanterie Petit-Vieux are the best line infantry available in the early period.