Norse Melee Infantry

Hearthguard

A ‘hearthweru’ or hearthguard was, more often than not, a personal friend of a warlord or king who would readily offer his sword in protection on the battlefield in return for gifts, lands, and power. The image of a leader being a generous donor of valuables to his most loyal companions was a running theme throughout the early Middle Ages, and this was certainly the case for the raiding Vikings and the settled Norse kings in Britain and Ireland. In the Viking context, wealth in the form of loot would have certainly appealed to a young warrior of the hearthguard and was often the primary motivation to serve a great war leader, but so was the chance to stake a claim to newly settled lands. The acquisition of land or wealth was not always the sole factor that sustained a hearthguard’s relationship with a warlord or king, however. The very name 'hearth' friend or companion implies closeness to the man served, eating and sharing his company around the fire, through which great bonds of friendship and loyalty were made. When not at war, hearth companions were the closest thing to a loyal professional militia, dispensing their lord’s will and authority on his behalf.

Unit Name Hearthguard

Main Unit Key vik_hearthguard

Land Unit Key vik_hearthguard

Naval Unit Key vik_dreki

Soldiers 100

Category Melee Infantry

Class Melee Infantry

Custom Battle Cost 1000

Recruitment Cost 0

Upkeep Cost 100

Melee Skill 45

Melee Damage 42

├ Melee Weapon vik_sword_elite

├ Melee Base Damage 36

├ Armour-piercing Damage 6

├ Armour Piercing No

├ Attack Against Cavalry 0

├ Attack Against Elephants 0

└ Attack Against Infantry 0

Charge Bonus 30

Melee Defence 90

├ Base Defence 45

├ Shield vik_reinforced

└ Shield 45

Armour 32

├ Armour vik_mail_heavy

├ Armour Defence 32

└ Shield Armour 0

Health 100

├ Man Entity vik_inf_heavy

├ Man Health 100

└ Bonus Hit Points 0

Morale 50

Abilities

• Shield Castle
  "Heads down, lads, things are about to get a little hairy around here!"
  Units cannot move in this formation.

Attributes

• [[col:yellow]]Expert Charge Defence[[/col]]
  This unit’s melee attack and damage are increased against charging enemies.
• [[col:yellow]]Disciplined[[/col]]
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• [[col:yellow]]Encourage[[/col]]
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• [[col:yellow]]Hide (forest)[[/col]]
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
• [[col:yellow]]Raider[[/col]]
  This unit may set buildings on fire, cause more fire damage with torches and capture faster than other units.

Strengths & Weaknesses

No Strengths and Weaknesses

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Faction Availability
Thrones of Britannia	Dene Dubgaill Finngaill Haeden Jorvik Nordmann Norse Viking Rebels Viking Usurpers Wicing