Skirmishers are a unit type in Empire: Total War and Napoleon: Total War.
Empire: Total War[]
In Empire: Total War, skirmishers are designated as troops who usually have the same range as Light Infantry (90), but are unable to use Stakes, adopt dense formations, or use Fougasse. Statistically, they have slightly inferior accuracy and/or reloading, but superior melee statistics. Aside from these differences, they are in essence the same as light infantry.
Napoleon: Total War[]
Skirmishers in Napoleon: Total War are usually designated as infantry using rifles: with almost no exception (except Voltiguers), skirmishers possess 125 range (the best out of any infantry) and very good accuracy. However, they have extremely slow reloading times and among the worst melee statistics. Once they fire their initial volley, they are highly vulnerable. They work best when closely supported by other troops, particularly when placed on higher elevations behind of or to the flanks of the main line.
Skirmishers are the only troops that can deploy Stakes, anti-cavalry obstacles. Along with cavalry, they are some of the only troops to lack any deployment options when stationary on the world map for more than one turn, such as Chevaux de Frise or Gabionades.
The good accuracy of most skirmishers is not enough to offset their extremely slow reloading rate, and line infantry and light infantry alike easily win firefights provided that they can close the ranged gap. Given their low damage over time potential, skirmishers benefit from being issued commands to specifically target valuable troops, such as elite infantry and generals.
Certain skirmishers, such as Rifles and Silesian Schuetzen, have much better reloading skill than other skirmishers, ameliorating their weakness in long reload times somewhat (but not entirely).
Fall of the Samurai[]
In Fall of the Samurai, units similar to Napoleon: Total War's skirmishers exist; however, they are labeled as light infantry instead.