For other uses of the term, see Light Infantry.
Light Infantry are a type of light infantry in Napoleon: Total War and The Peninsular Campaign.
Description[]
Light infantry are skirmishers who harass the enemy while screening the main body of an army.
These men are versatile soldiers: whether firing in a disciplined line or skirmishing in loose formation, they bring a good self-discipline and accuracy to the battle. They carry smoothbore, muzzle-loading muskets, but do not rely on massed fire. Instead they aim at individuals within the enemy ranks, killing officers, sergeants and anyone else who takes charge. They also fight their own specialised battle, driving off enemy skirmishers. However, they may prove weak when pitted against line infantry or highly expert skirmishers such as riflemen.
By the early 1800s, light infantry had a much greater role on the battlefield, at least in Napoleon’s forces. Many armies still saw light infantry as little more than auxiliary troops, choosing to favour the old, tried and tested tactics of massed volley fire and close formations. Napoleon, on the other hand, recognised the advantage flexibility conferred, and used light infantry extensively, to harass enemy lines to pieces, then closing up for a final rush.
General Information[]
Light infantry are the generic Light Infantry in Napoleon: Total War, available to many minor factions. Compared to the more unique light infantry fielded by other factions, they are slightly below average, being worse than Light Foot or Prussian Fusiliers. about tied with Chasseurs and Grenzers, and superior at range to Russian Jägers (though Russian Jägers have a much better charge bonus). They are an intermediate unit type between skirmishers and line infantry, with characteristics of both: their range and number of men per regiment are between that of line infantry and skirmishers, they can use light infantry behavior like skirmishers or stand in dense formations like line infantry, and they use bayonets but cannot use Square Formation. Compared to line infantry, they have superior range, and all their ranks may fire at once. This can give them superior killing power, particularly when placed many ranks deep and firing in conjunction with other units at a specific target.
Light Infantry use muskets, which are are reloaded significantly more quickly than the rifles used by most skirmishers. This, combined with their superior numbers, means that light infantry can sustain a volley from skirmishers, close the gap, and still win an engagement comfortably. In most situations, light infantry are superior to skirmishers. However, they lack the numbers of line infantry, and cannot form square, so they cannot be used to simply substitute line infantry without risk. They are highly vulnerable to cavalry when unsupported, particularly if they are unable to fire an accurate volley before the cavalry close the gap.
When stationary on the world map for more than one turn and attacked, Light Infantry have the options of deploying Chevaux de Frise (anti-cavalry barricades), Earthworks (protective barriers against missile fire), and Fougasse (land mines).
Great Britain can train light infantry when controlling traditionally Spanish regions. When trained by Great Britain, these units are named Spanish Light Infantry instead of light infantry. Compared to standard British Light Foot, they have worse stats in most categories, particularly reloading and accuracy. They are cheaper and available throughout nearly the entirety of the campaign map, however, and benefit from several technologies: Local Recruitment Initiatives improves replenishment rate, and Call to Arms reduces recruitment costs, and British Training Methods increase their initial experience.
Light Infantry's statistics are different between Spain and other factions; differences are listed below (traits that to not differ are not listed). In The Peninsular Campaign, Spanish light infantry employed by Great Britain have Spanish stats. Spain does not have light infantry in the Europe Campaign, using Cazadores, instead.
Faction | Reloading | Defence | Cost | Upkeep |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spain | 35 | 8 | 500 SP/600 MP | 120 |
General | 45 | 6 | 560 SP | 140 |