Ushkuiniky

From Rise of Kings Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search

"They made descents in small bodies from their ships or rather boats, and ravaging the coasts, returned with the booty to their families, whom they could not conveniently carry along with them in those hazardous enterprizes."

— David Hume, History of England (Vol I, Cap 1 "Ethelred")

In game[edit | edit source]

Russmercs ico.png
Ushkuiniky — Vital statistics
Ushkuiniky

Mercenary light melee infantry unit, recruitable to Russia from a Peasants'Commune once Republic is researched. Highly effective versus civilian units.

Prereq: Build time HP LOS Attack Attack speed Movement
speed


Republic Politics
4.4s
(66t)
75 8 16 2.1s
(32t)
29


Cost Created from Armour Weapon range Specialty
Base Ramp Pop
Wealth.jpg: 90 Wealth: 2 1

Peasants' Commune.png | Chapterhouse.jpg

1 Melee
  • Small defensive bonus versus missile infantry.
  • Added attack bonus versus buildings, tradesmen, peasants, scholars.

Russians.jpg

Overall strategy[edit | edit source]

Ushkuiniky are warriors who are drawn from all walks of life, but are inevitably one thing, and one thing alone — mercenaries. Depending on who you speak to, they are either top-notch warriors or filthy brigands and pirates, and are recruitable to Russia should a republican form of government be instituted in the Castle Age.

Ushkuiniky thus form a corps of mercenary light melee infantry which can be used to round out your armies, but are somewhat thin-skinned fighters, armed with swords and axes. This however is made up by the fact that they are ideal counter for enemy caravans, merchants and siege units, and have a fairly decent cost mostly of food and a ramp cost of wealth. Unlike most mercenaries, however, Ushkuiniky are recruited not from your Outpost, but from your Peasant Commune. Additionally, they will instantly convert into Armoured Militia, losing their ability to damage caravans and enemy support units once you choose to improve your swordsmen.

Unit summary[edit | edit source]

  • Glass Swords — Ushkuiniky are hard-hitting but fragile, thus making them best suited for raiding.
  • Stay at Home — Unlike most mercenaries, however, Ushkuiniky are recruited not from your Outpost, but from your Peasants' Commune.
  • Gone Tomorrow — instantly convert into Armoured Militia if you upgrade your Swordsmen, losing their ability to damage caravans and enemy support units.

History[edit | edit source]

In the wake of the disintegration of central power in Russia, especially under the Mongol yoke, the Russian principalities were frequently involved in bloody feuds with each other, providing opportunities for the Viking roots of the Russians to show themselves, particularly in the form of the ushkuiniky. Armed with sword and axe very much like their Viking ancestors, ushkuiniky were freebooting raiders who were soon recruited by the city-state of Novgorod, and through their sailing skills and bravery brought woe to many a city on the Arctic Sea coast and the banks of Russia's major rivers in the 14th century. Only the "Great Gathering" begun by Ivan III of Moscow could curtail their activities.

Trivia[edit | edit source]

In Swords of the Prophets, their skin is repurposed for the Jomsvikingr unit, but has different stats altogether.