Ironcap Swordsmen

* Portrait
* Alt Portrait
* In-Game
* Icon

## Basic Attributes (Base)

**Ironcap Swordsmen** are a Chivalric era buckler shield unit.

## In-Game Description

*The Provincial Army of the eastern realms (popularly known as the "Ironcaps" after their distinctive headgear) is the first semi-professional army after the regional militiamen. Unlike the militias, these troops receive daily training, regular pay, and are often stationed far from their homes. Their armor is cheap if reasonably effective, and their weapons are hard-wearing and tempered from constant use against rebels and bandits. Ironcap Swordsmen are fast, suited for frontal assaults and flank attacks.*

## Acquisition

Ironcap Swordsmen are obtained during the tutorial for Conqueror's Blade, directly after defeating Lord Valen, alongside Pike Militia as a reward for the quest Cadet's Trial I.

## Unit Traits

 [Shieldbearers] | Ranged damage is reduced while unit is using shields.

## Formations

 Column | A narrow formation effective for charging under enemy fire.

## Unit Orders

### Ironcap Charge

**Ironcap Charge**

Base Cooldown: 30s / Base Damage: ? / Base Block Break: ? / Multihit: ? / Damage Bonus: ?

This initiates a charge that deals high damage. For every three warriors that make contact with the enemy, the unit deals additional damage.

#### Details

* There is a short windup animation where Ironcap Swordsmen will raise their swords into the air before initiating the charge. This animation lasts for approximately 1 second.
	+ White visual effects will briefly shine around Ironcap Swordsmen while in the windup animation.
	+ Ironcap Swordsmen will turn towards the ordered direction while in this animation, if they were not already facing that direction.
	+ Individual soldiers will not undergo this animation and will instead deal their charge damage immediately if they are facing enemy units within melee range.
		- This restriction does not apply to heroes; soldiers will still undergo their windup animation if only enemy heroes are within melee range.
	+ Ironcap Swordsmen will also deal damage to nearby enemies while in their windup animation.
* If charging Ironcap Swordsmen have their charge cancelled by any unit order or command, they will briefly come to a stop before carrying out the issued command.
* Ironcap Charge has a maximum range of ~60m before the unit will cancel the charge on its own.
* Ironcap Charge counts as a charge type unit order and hence is affected by doctrines that affect charge type unit orders.
* After charging, Ironcap Swordsmen will behave as if they are under an attack command (V) until a new command or unit order is issued.

### Rally to Me

**Rally to Me**

Base Cooldown: 22s / Speed Duration: ~1s

The unit forms up on their commander, gaining a temporary speed boost to do so.

#### Details

* The unit will flash white and gain the speed boost upon activation of Rally to Me. The unit will not gain another speed boost until Rally to Me is activated again.
* The speed boost gives Ironcap Swordsmen approximately doubled movement speed. Note that Ironcap Swordsmen have to accelerate to the higher movement speed upon activation, and the time spent accelerating is also part of the duration of the speed boost.
* The unit otherwise behaves as if issued a follow command (C), and will do so until a new command or unit order is issued.
	+ This means that if there are enemies in the way, Ironcap Swordsmen will attempt to run through them without fighting unless they are nearby their commanding hero.

## Doctrines

There are no doctrines that are only usable by Ironcap Swordsmen.

## Tips & Trivia

* Ironcap Swordsmen are a fast-moving damage dealing unit focused around their Ironcap Charge unit order. They are excellent performers for their cost and have the potential to deal great damage against heroes and units alike.
* As they are still only a chivalric era unit, ironcap swordsmen are squishy and will be quickly wiped out if they are in combat with most higher-tier melee units for more than a few seconds.
* It is highly recommended to spec into their top-line veterancy, as it focuses on their charge damage.
* Ironcap Swordsmen also benefit greatly from the various buckler charge doctrines, most notably the Spearhead and Stamina doctrines. Together with the top-line veterancy and honor nodes, it is possible to reduce the cooldown on Ironcap Charge to 5 seconds.
* As ironcap swordsmen also deal damage during the windup to their charge, it is possible to kill lone heroes near-instantaneously by surrounding them in the unit and then activating Ironcap Charge.