Gustavian Guards
Gustavian Guards is an Age of Empires III technology available to Swedes from the Commerce Age, researched at Church. It provides 16 Gustavian Guards (Veteran Halberdiers); Halberdier resistance +5%, speed +0.25.
Research profile
- Age
- Commerce Age
- Civilization
- Swedes
- Research location
- Church
- Home City Card
- Treaty of Roskilde
- Research time
- 15 seconds
- Food cost
- 1,700
- Effect
- Delivers 16 Gustavian Guards (Veteran Halberdiers); Halberdier resistance +5%, speed +0.25
Effect & research conditions
Available to Swedes from the Commerce Age. Research it at Church. Effect: Delivers 16 Gustavian Guards (Veteran Halberdiers); Halberdier resistance +5%, speed +0.25. Research costs 1,700 food. Research takes 15 seconds.
Research condition
Available to Swedes from the Commerce Age. Research it at Church.
When to research
Gustavian Guards provides an immediate reinforcement: 16 Gustavian Guards (Veteran Halberdiers); Halberdier resistance +5%, speed +0.25. Research when this force fills a current army need and can reach the fight in time; reserve population and set a safe gather point rather than starting it as an emergency response. Use the Church for research. Research takes 15 seconds and costs 1,700 food.
A Commerce Age infantry timing
The Swedish Church technology costs 1,700 Food and takes 15 seconds, delivering sixteen Veteran Halberdiers. It also gives Halberdiers 5% resistance and 0.25 speed. This is a substantial anti-cavalry reinforcement, but the all-Food cost can delay an age advance or other production. Use the added mobility to hold a threatened flank rather than chase faster mounted units across the map.
A large anti-cavalry delivery
Gustavian Guards is a Swedish Commerce Age Church research costing 1,700 Food and taking 15 seconds. It delivers sixteen Veteran Halberdiers and gives Halberdiers 5% additional resistance and 0.25 movement speed. The delivery is a sizable anti-cavalry group, but the all-Food price competes with Villager production and an Age advancement. Reserve population before starting the research and avoid treating the shipment as cost-free just because it arrives as a technology reward.
Hold a flank instead of chasing
The extra speed helps the Halberdiers respond to mounted pressure, while their role is to threaten Cavalry rather than pursue every unit on the map. Keep them near the force or resource line they are protecting and use ranged or artillery support against enemies that can kite them. Research when a Swedish army needs a timely anti-cavalry screen and the Food economy can afford the payment. A player who does not expect Cavalry may get more value from a different unit investment.