Ironcap Swordsmen are a chivalric era buckler shield melee infantry 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 for free alongside Ironcap Archers and Mace Sergeants upon completing the initial tutorial battle in Conqueror's Blade.
Unit Traits[]
| Trait | In-Game Description |
|---|---|
| ▲ [Shock Troops] | This unit is most effective when charging an enemy unit, rather than in a sustained melee. |
| ▲ [Assault Troops] | This unit is best used to charge the enemy, as they will cause more damage while attacking. |
| ▼ [Combat Penalty vs Heroes] | Charging damage dealt to heroes by this unit's charging skills reduced by 15%. |
| [Shieldbearers] | Ranged damage is reduced while unit is using shields. |
Formations[]
| Formation | In-Game Description |
|---|---|
Dispersed
|
The unit forms a spread-out square formation to lessen the impact of ranged attacks. |
Shield Wall
|
The shield wall is a tightly packed formation intended to defend in one direction. |
Column
|
A narrow formation effective for charging under enemy fire. |
Unit Orders[]
Ironcap Charge
Details
- Is a buckler charge type unit order.
Rally to Me
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.
Veterancy[]
1
1
1
2
2
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
2
7
2
8
9
2
10
1
11
2
12
1
13
3
14
15
| Label | Icon | Name | Levels | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
The Soldier's Life | 1 | Increases health by 3%. |
| 2 |  |
Fear Nothing | 1 | Increases charge damage by 10%. |
| 3 |  |
Second Wind | 2 | Each level reduces charge cooldown by 3 seconds. |
| 4 | |
Hone | 1 | Increases slashing armour penetration by 5%. |
| 5 |  |
Fear Nothing | 1 | Increases charge damage by 15%. Decreases all defences by 10%. |
| 6 |  |
Shock Attack | 1 | Charging stuns enemy units. |
| 7 | |
Second Wind | 2 | Each level reduces charge cooldown by 3 seconds. |
| 8 | |
Hone | 2 | Each level increases slashing armour penetration by 5%. |
| 9 | |
Fear Nothing | 1 | Increases charge damage by 20%. Decreases all defences by 10%. Notes Changes unit name to Elite Ironcap Swordsmen. |
| 10 |  |
Mustering | 2 | Each level adds 2 more soldiers to the unit. |
| 11 |  |
Toughen Up | 1 | Increases piercing defence by 3%. |
| 12 |  |
Stand Fast | 2 | Each level increases blocking by 40. |
| 13 |  |
Reflexes | 1 | Reduces ranged damage taken by 10%. |
| 14 | |
The Soldier's Life | 3 | Each level increases health by 3%. |
| 15 | |
Mustering | 1 | Adds 4 more soldiers to the unit. Changes unit appearance. Notes Changes unit name to Elite Ironcap Swordsmen. |
Mastery[]
| Tier | Name | Cost | Required Level | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Quick | 5x Uncommon Scroll of Mastery | 10 | Increases movement speed by 8%. |
| II | Swordsmen | 10x Uncommon Scroll of Mastery | 11 | Increases slashing damage by 80 points. |
| III | Quick | 10x Uncommon Scroll of Mastery | 11 | Increases movement speed by 8%. |
| IV | Swordsmen | 15x Uncommon Scroll of Mastery | 12 | Increases slashing damage by 100 points. |
| V | Focused | 4x Rare Scroll of Mastery | 14 | Increases Ironcap Charge's block effect by 100% and knocks back units and heroes. |
| VI | Asymmetrical Warfare | 15x Uncommon Scroll of Mastery | 14 | Increases damage versus polearm units by 400 points. |
| VII | Self-Sacrifice | 20x Uncommon Scroll of Mastery | 16 | Increases Ironcap Charge damage by 200 points. |
| VIII | Fight as one | 6x Rare Scroll of Mastery | 18 | Unit cannot be dazed while using Ironcap Charge, but it is still vulnerable to other control effects. |
Honor Tree Upgrades[]
Doctrines[]
There are no doctrines that are only usable by Ironcap Swordsmen.
Kit[]
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.