Eternal Guard (Shields) is a Wood Elves melee infantry unit. The spear and shield of the Wood Elves, seldom bested in combat.
Description
Through the long Winter months, the forest of Athel Loren is at its lowest ebb, made dormant and vulnerable by the cycle of the seasons. The Treemen slumber, and even the normally vigorous Dryads are sluggish and slow. During this time, guardianship of the most sacred of places falls to the Eternal Guard, sons and daughters of Athel Loren's noble houses. Each Eternal Guard is a formidable foe in her own right, trained to a pinnacle of skill that other races cannot easily match. When assembled in numbers, they form a phalanx, their spears thrusting and cutting with a graceful yet disciplined efficiency. The Eternal Guard themselves refer to such a place as a "fortress of boughs". They face the enemy with feet planted firmly upon their chosen ground, shields braced against attacks and the line of spears rippling as their leaf-shaped blades dart forward to kill.
Abilities
- ▲ Anti-Large: Anti-Large: Anti-large units have an advantage against targets that are at least as large as a horse. This advantage can be a
damage bonus against large targets or an attack that focuses on a very small area. However, some units are simply better against large targets because their attacks are slow and easy to dodge by skilled melee combatants. - ▲ Charge Defence Against Large Foes: When standing and bracing against a charge of large enemies (such as cavalry or monsters) this unit will negate the enemy's charge bonus.
- ▲ Forest Stalker: The Elves of Athel Loren gain bonuses to melee defence and accuracy while fighting within the forest.
- ▲ Shielded: Shields have a chance of blocking arrows, bolts, rifle shots and similar small arms fire - but only in a forward facing arc.
Strategy
For their cost, Eternal Guard are one of the best spear units in the game. They have high melee defence, shields, bonus vs. large, charge defence, high armor piercing, and good Leadership. They are the incredibly efficient from a cost perspective. These units are best used for holding the front line and wethering whatever comes against them. Eternal Guard are meant to hold enemies back, while your ranged or mobile units win the battle. It is sometimes wise to hide your infantry or keep them in reserve until later in the game. This gives you more time to skirmish with your enemies and soften up targets so your infantry has a better chance. As mentioned before, Eternal Guard won't singlehandedly win a battle, but they will hold long enough for the rest of your army to wreak havoc. Template:Navbox wood elf units