Guardia Nobile

==In game==
Guardia Nobile — Vital statistics	Guardia Nobile — Vital statistics	Guardia Nobile — Vital statistics	Guardia Nobile — Vital statistics	Guardia Nobile — Vital statistics	Guardia Nobile — Vital statistics	Guardia Nobile — Vital statistics	Guardia Nobile — Vital statistics	Guardia Nobile — Vital statistics
 	
Papal unique heavy cavalry unit that replaces Cuirassier.
*Strong versus light and medium units.
*Weak versus heavy units.	
Papal unique heavy cavalry unit that replaces Cuirassier.
*Strong versus light and medium units.
*Weak versus heavy units.	
Papal unique heavy cavalry unit that replaces Cuirassier.
*Strong versus light and medium units.
*Weak versus heavy units.	
Papal unique heavy cavalry unit that replaces Cuirassier.
*Strong versus light and medium units.
*Weak versus heavy units.	
Papal unique heavy cavalry unit that replaces Cuirassier.
*Strong versus light and medium units.
*Weak versus heavy units.	
Papal unique heavy cavalry unit that replaces Cuirassier.
*Strong versus light and medium units.
*Weak versus heavy units.	
Papal unique heavy cavalry unit that replaces Cuirassier.
*Strong versus light and medium units.
*Weak versus heavy units.	
Papal unique heavy cavalry unit that replaces Cuirassier.
*Strong versus light and medium units.
*Weak versus heavy units.
Prereq: 	Build time 	HP 	LOS 	Attack 	Attack speed 	Movementspeed 	 	
 [3] 	6.9s(100t) 	160 	9 	20 	2s(30t) 	36 	 	
Cost 	Cost 	Cost 	Created from 	Armour 	Weapon range 	Specialty 	 	
Base 	Ramp 	Pop 	Created from 	Armour 	Weapon range 	Specialty 	 	
: 40: 70 	
: 1: 1 	1 	 	5 	Melee 	
*Bonus damage versus rabble units.
*Damage penalty versus heavy cavalry.	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
===Overall strategy===
Although they often have the best horses, and the best equipment, the Papal Guardia Nobile as a unit is far inferior to most heavy cavalry units - it might be hardier and faster than conventional Cuirassiers, but fails spectacularly if faced with heavy infantry or cavalry of any kind, irrespective of weapon class or even armour. Guardia Nobile are trained faster than most cavalry units, like most mercenary units of the Papal armies, but suffer a massive combat penalty when attacked with heavy units, and are thus greater in value as a psychological component than a genuine tactical force. Perhaps the best way to use them is to think of them as being a superior class of light cavalry. Being capable of amassing massive squads of Guardie Nobili and parking them on enemy farms or fending off enemy Hussars is a useful tactic, but the moment you face Islamic factions with camels, or massive Grenadier formations, they are all but useless no thanks to their attack penalty versus enemy heavy units. A Guardia Nobile squad will not be able to stay in the field for too long if pursued by Cuirassiers, nor will it be able to cut its way even through formations of barbarian Spearmen without taking heavy losses.
==History==
From the Late Mediaeval Period well until the mid-19th century, the Papal States elected to field its own armies, as opposed to relying on the caprices of the Germany-based Holy Roman Empire, or the French who were increasingly asserting their independence of the Church. Although the most famous of the units raised by the Papacy were the Swiss Guards, the Papal army of the Early Industrial Era was also supplemented by other units, including Irish Brigades and the Guardia Nobile  (Noble Guard) which was meant to function as heavy cavalry.
The Guardia Nobile was a cavalry unit raised by Pius VII and meant to function as the Pope's personal bodyguards in 1801, with its members raised from the local Roman aristocracy as a horse unit that fought primarily with swords. With changes in armaments technology, the Guardia Nobile was subsequently converted to a carabinier unit, before being entirely disbanded in 1970.
Category:Heavy cavalry
Category:Unique units
Category:Ultima Ratio units