TOTAL WAR WIKI

Walloon Guards

Category:	Infantry
Class:	Elite Infantry
Men:	40 / 80 / 120 / 160
Range:	70
Accuracy:	55
Reloading skill:	60
Ammunition:	15
Melee attack:	11
Charge bonus:	15
Defence:	20
Morale:	12
Unit limit:	1
Turns to train:	2
Recruitment cost:	1690
Upkeep cost:	420
Requires
Building
Palacio Real de Madrid

The blue-clad Walloon Guards are an elite infantry regiment, dedicated to the service of Spain and the Royal Family.

Although a court regiment and expected to be immaculate at all times, they are also capable field soldiers. Trained to fight in line of battle, they are far steadier under fire than any ordinary infantry and equally capable in close-quarters fighting too.

Historically, this bodyguard unit was originally raised in mostly Catholic Wallonia (now part of Belgium), a Hapsburg, and therefore Spanish, possession at the time. As with other royal families, it was considered safer to have outsiders as guards for the monarch rather than locals, who might put their local sympathies ahead of royal safety in times of crisis. The loss of the Spanish Netherlands meant that non-Walloons had to be accepted into their ranks, although the name and the tradition of loyalty to the crown were retained. The first intake of Walloons had all been big men, to act as shock troops, but by the middle of the 18th Century they had been remodelled as a royal guard, consciously aping the French Bourbon Swiss Guards to add dignity to the Spanish court, by then under another branch of the Bourbon family.

Abilities

Can guard

Can hide in light scrub

Can hide in woodland

Grappling hooks

Inspires nearby units

Resistant to morale shocks

Technological abilities

Plug bayonet

Ring bayonet

Socket bayonet

Chevaux de frise