Caracol: Units detail

After looking at the battle resolution system in the previous article, we'll take a brief look at the units present in Caracol.

Premise: The game is still in the balancing phase, and I'm trying to find a balance between historical realism and gameplay. The 17th century was a transitional era with much military experimentation, so it's important to represent all the particularities and specialties that characterized that period without compromising the gaming experience and AI effectiveness. For this reason, some units that might be included in the game's release are still under review and won't be covered in this article.

What do we mean by unit? A unit is a combat class with its own values and capabilities, organized into companies composed of a variable number of men and equipment. Units participate differently in the various phases of battle, siege operations, and territory pillaging, and contribute to the army's cohesion thanks to their discipline.

Each unit therefore plays a different and complementary role in various aspects of warfare, and consequently, an army must be optimally balanced to be effective.

Currently, there are 6 units in the game divided into 3 specialties: cavalry, infantry, and artillery.

Let's look at them in detail:

Cavalry

Contrary to what is often thought, 17th-century cavalry was experiencing a period of rediscovery. Relegated to a subordinate role for part of the previous century, the cavalrymen of Tilly, Wallenstein, and Gustavus Adolphus were well-trained soldiers capable of fighting with both firearms and in melee combat, entrusted with the most demanding maneuvers in battle, such as encirclement and the caracole.

In Caracol, there are currently two types of cavalry (which could become three):

1. Cuirassiers: These are the best-equipped and most disciplined units in the game. Armed with wheel-lock pistols and swords, they are effective in both caracole and melee combat. Thanks to their high levels of discipline, they can ensure better cohesion of the army.

2. Light Cavalry: They currently represent all cavalry units without armor or with light protection (semi-armored cuirassiers, reiters, pistoleers, Croats, etc.). In battle, they play a role similar to cuirassiers but are more effective in raiding territory.

3. Dragoons/Harquebusiers (not yet implemented): Medium cavalry, well-armored and armed with a carbine (a shorter wheel-lock musket suitable for mounted combat), while not excelling in hand-to-hand combat, provides greater coverage thanks to its firepower.

Infantry

Infantry is certainly the most important component of the army and represents the bulk of the forces engaged in combat and sieges. 17th-century infantry was essentially composed of two units:

1. Musketeers: They undoubtedly represent the backbone of the army. Their firepower makes them extremely effective in defense when they can target the enemy while protected by a trench. They are more vulnerable in hand-to-hand combat and will hardly be able to resist the enemy's charge, especially if conducted by a cavalry formation.

2. Pikemen: These are the most economical units in the game, and their main task is to protect the musketeers. They can also be used to assault enemy positions in decisive hand-to-hand combat.

Artillery

The artillery of the 1600s began to play an important role not only in sieges but also in battle.

Contemporaries distinguished at least 4 categories of artillery according to caliber: 48lb, 24lb, 12lb, and 6lb. In Caracol, I currently plan only two types:

1. Siege Artillery: 24 to 48lb cannons, used only in siege operations and extremely effective in breaking down the walls of enemy cities.

2. Regimental Artillery: 6 to 12lb cannons, used both in battle and sieges, and proves very useful in both phases.

Future Developments

There are many questions that remain open and many units I would like to include: first of all, I would like to better represent the armament system, with the possibility of choosing armor or evolving firearms, moving from match and wheel mechanisms to those based on flintlocks. I would like to better represent regional troops, such as Imperial Croats or Swedish hakkapeliitta. I would also like to include specialized troops, such as engineers and sappers.

At the moment, these are all suggestions on which I would like to have a discussion. For this reason, I invite you to leave a comment if you wish, I will be happy to respond!

Until the next log!

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