Cimbri (Imperator Augustus) Melee Ship

Heavy Raider - Sword Masters

Strong warships, constructed to withstand the worst the sea can throw at them.

These experienced, high-status warriors make fearsome battlefield opponents.

Most of the northern European tribes were not naval powers, but there were still able seafarers to be found amongst them. Shipbuilding techniques were well understood, so while many vessels were small leather-skinned boats for inland and inshore use, bigger sea-going vessels were also made. Shipwrights used heavy planking for hulls, stitched together and then fastened to a wooden skeleton to create sturdy craft able to cope with Atlantic conditions. Julius Caesar was surprised at the quality of the enemy ships when his fleet clashed with the Veneti from modern-day Brittany. The Veneti vessels had flat bottoms to cope with shallows, but were also of heavy oak construction to cope with rough seas. This made them tough opposition for Roman galleys, and capable of shrugging off a ramming attack. Caesar said that the enemy ships "...were constructed of planks a foot in breadth, fastened by iron spikes the thickness of a man's thumb; the anchors were secured fast by iron chains instead of cables”. When the Romans were forced to board, they faced fearsome warriors used to close-quarters fighting at sea.

(Sword Masters)
Whereas German tribes often fought in a more ordered, organised manner than the Celts, they sometimes adopted their neighbours’ weapons and equipment, either through battle or trade. Celtic armour found its way onto the backs of privileged German warriors, while double-edged longswords were another example of creeping Celtic influence. An iron sword was a prestigious possession, so those who carried them were either of noble blood or were veteran followers. By following a noble, warriors were duty-bound to show dedication and valour. If he fell in combat, the noble’s men were expected to fight to the death. Anyone who survived such a battle was disgraced. Some hanged themselves, unable to live with the shame and dishonour of outliving their battle-lord.

Abilities

Heavy Raider

• Row Hard 20
  Increases speed for 20 strokes.
  Ship speed

Sword Masters

• Shieldwall
  The unit moves into a close formation and raises shields.
  Armour strength, bracing, melee defence, shield strength
  Limited speed
• Wedge
  The unit moves into a wedge-shaped attack formation.
  Charge bonus, melee attack
  Acceleration, melee defence
• Headhunt
  Gradual increase in effectiveness of the unit's attack.
  Melee attack, morale
  Melee defence

Attributes

• Encourage
  This unit provides a morale bonus to nearby allies.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
• Resistant to Cold
  This unit tires less quickly in snow.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Heavy Raider

• Very good hull strength
• Medium crew
• Average speed
• Average ramming
• Very good boarding

Sword Masters

• Very good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Good morale

Cimbri (Imperator Augustus) Units
General (3)
1.Noble Riders
2.Sword Masters
3.Wodanaz Spears
Melee Infantry (7)
4.Berserkers
5.Bloodsworn
6.Club Levy
7.Hex-Bearers
8.Round Shield Swordsmen
9.Sword Masters
10.Wolf Warriors
Missile Infantry (5)
11.Cimbri Bow-Women
12.Horse Runners
13.Longbow Hunters
14.Germanic Slingers
15.Germanic Youths
Spear Infantry (7)
16.Night Hunters
17.Spear Brothers
18.Spear Levy
19.Spear Wall
20.Spearwomen
21.Germanic Tribesmen
22.Wodanaz Spears
Melee Cavalry (2)
23.Noble Riders
24.Riders of the Hunt
Missile Cavalry (1)
25.Germanic Scout Riders
Fixed Artillery (3)
26.German Giant Ballista
27.German Bastion Scorpion
28.German Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (6)
29.German Bastion Ballista
30.German Ballista
31.German Scorpion
32.German Heavy Onager
33.German Bastion Onager
34.German Onager
Admiral (2)
35.Medium Missile Raider - Longbow Hunters
36.Heavy Raider - Sword Masters
Melee Ship (4)
37.Medium Assault Raider - Bloodsworn
38.Persian Assault Teteres - Spear Brothers
39.Assault Raider - Spear Levy
40.Heavy Raider - Sword Masters
Missile Ship (3)
41.Greek Missile Penteres - Longbow Hunters
42.Medium Missile Raider - Longbow Hunters
43.Missile Raider - Germanic Slingers
Artillery Ship (2)
44.Roman Light Artillery Quinquereme - German Ballista (Ship)
45.Roman Artillery Quinquereme - German Onager (Ship)