Imperial soldier types

[ProphetDragon]

Let us imagine some variants of imperial soldiers. My creations:

Imperial Swordman- Imperial soldiers with swords and shields.
Imperial Archer- Imperial soldiers with bows.
Imperial Knights- Imperial soldiers on horseback.
Imperial Spearman- Imperial soldiers with spears.
Imperial Captains- Imperial soldiers that command.
Imperial Axeman- Imperial soldiers carrying axes.

Just for help, Imperial armors are now steel armors like the ones from oblivion and there is a complete set of imperial weaponry.

[LongLiveTheEmpire]

This would sound like an interesting mod, all these varieties of imperial soldiers would be interesting.

Here are my ideas:

Imperial Dog-master - An imperial dressed in imperial light armor, has a dog that follows him around and attacks for him.

Imperial Sniper - An imperial holding a crossbow, dressed in imperial light armor, sneak attacks enemies if possible, uses two daggers if forced into melee.

Imperial Swordmaster - An imperial wearing heavy armor dual wielding two imperial swords.

[Dark Spark]

Imagine a marching column of heavily armed, heavily armored soldiers: metal cuirasses, armed either with a two-handed weapon or a combination of sword and a shield. They use the Imperial road networks to move from location to location.

They're not the ones I'm interested in, however. Supporting the marching column are Imperial Scouts: archers clad in light armor whose task is to act as the flanking screen and skirmishers. Light, flexible armor gives them the agility to move over broken ground, thick brush and high terrain off of the road. Should they encounter forces too heavy to handle, they fall back to the marching column.

In addition to this are the Imperial Harbingers: the forward scouts who move ahead of the marching column in search of traps or ambuscades. Like their fellow light scouts, the harbingers are armed with shortswords and bows, eschewing heavier weapons or the burden of a thick shield. This gives them more speed than the heavy infantry. But, since they make use of the road ahead, the harbingers can wear thicker, stiffer armor than a typical scout.

In short, an Imperial Scout is a light armor archer, while an Imperial Harbinger is a heavy armor archer.

[AngryNord]

-Imperial Warrior: Regular Imperial heavy armour, Imperial Broadsword, Imperial heavy (steel) shield
-Imperial Archer: Imperial Chainmail armour, Imperial Bow+steel arrows, Imperial Broadsword
-Imperial Scout: Imperial Leather armour, Imperial Bow+steel arrows, Imperial Broadsword, Imperial light (wood) shield
-Imperial Captain: Regular Imperial heavy armour, steel/silver Claymore, ability to cast illusion spells
-Imperial Battlemage: Regular Imperial heavy armour with hood instead of helmet and no shield, silver longsword or destruction staff
-Imperial Horseman: Regular Imperial heavy armour with plumed helmet, Imperial lance, Imperial Broadsword, Imperial heavy shield
-Imperial Forester: Imperial Leather/Chainmail armour+forester's clothing, Imperial Bow+silver arrows, Imperial Shortsword
-Imperial Healer: Healer robes with legion motif, steel mace, healer spells
-Elite Imperial Warrior: Ebony Imperial armour, Ebony longsword, Ebony shield
-Elite Imperial Captain: Ebony Imperial armour, Ebony Claymore, ability to cast illusion spells
-Elite Imperial Battlemage: Ebony Imperial breastplate worn outside robes, Ebony Imperial helmet, Heavy Leather boots, destruction staff
-Elite Imperial Horseman: Ebony Imperial armour with plumed helmet, Imperial Lance, Ebony Longsword, Ebony shield
-Elite Imperial Scout: Mithril Imperial armour, crossbow, Imperial Shortsword, Imperial Mithril Shield
-Elite Imperial Marksman: Mithril Imperial armour, crossbow, Imperial Shortsword, Imperial Pavise
-Imperial Centurion: Imperial Templar armour, silver claymore/Battleaxe, ability to cast destro and healing spells

[ProphetDragon]

All for one and one for all, IMPERIAL STORMTROOPERS: Not a Star Wars joke, imagine a team of 6 to 20 well armored soldiers with advanced training of 10 years and ability to use all weapons. A team of Stormtroopers may consist of several archers, warriors, mages and (if the case) battlemages. They use a larger variety of weapons and wear different armor. Which phrase sounds better?

The Empire's soldiers were set forth.
The Emperor sent his stormtroopers forth.

Stormtrooper Variants:-
Imperial Stormtrooper: Plain soldiers. Trained to storm into forts.
Imperial Shocktrooper: Advanced soldiers. Trained for assaults.
Imperial Shadowtrooper: Advanced soldiers. Trained in stealth.
Imperial Flametrooper: Adept soldiers. Carries weapons with fire enchantments.
Imperial Frostrooper: Adept soldiers. Carries weapons with frost enchantments.
Imperial Electrotrooper: Adept soldiers. Carries weapons with shock enchantments.
Imperial Sandtroopers: Adept soldiers. Employed for battles in deserts like in Hammerfell and Elsweyr.
Imperial Seatrooper: Adept soldiers. Employed for Naval Warfare.
Imperial Snowtroopers: Adept soldiers. Employed for battles in mountains like in Skyrim or Morrowind.
Imperial Treetrooper: Adept soldiers. Employed for battles in forests like in Valenwood, Black Marsh or Elsweyr.

Rest you do: How about the next branch?

[BetaB17]

Wouldnt just much of this fall into standard infantry roles especially those made popular from Rome?

I mean excluding Heavy, Light, & Standard roles, there is also Cavalry, variety of Infantry, siege weaponry, scouts/archers, chqin of command, mercenaries(i.e barbarians & vandals), mage subclasses(battlemage), & even a select few specialist roles or divisions. Potentially there can even be enlisted assassins, but at best they serve as informants or disrupt enemy lines or encampments

If I was to go into greater detail, the cavalry seem rather basic. Light Cavalry make for great mobile forces and can be armed from standard melee weapos like swords or an axe to say a bow or even a spear/lance. Given their mobility, they take a loss at shear armor/defense and weapon superiority. Heavy Calvary likewise compensate that, but given that they are far slower and thus not optimal for scouting or ambushes, they do well to guard your flanks and push back enemy calvary or infantry.. or devastate them from the rear <_<

Likewise infantry offer a larger variety. You can make ise of polearm users like pikemen or spear wielders to keep enemy lines in check or deter their cavalry. You also have the mixture of weapon users or shield bearers, paired up with armor to complement their roles. We also have the option of a phalanx, or shield wall, which is perfect for the front line. The Legion also seems to have its own version of knights and heavy class types, tho frankly they would never make the bulk of your forces. Mercenaries and local forces make well as a reserve force, granting new tactics that were previously unlikely with current numbers. Sadly, unless they are well specialized in a certain task(i.e like the Huns IRL) then they basically are under par with your own forces.. and much more unruly.

Along the lines of lighter forces, we have the option of different scouts that act best for certain tasks. Dark Spark's as an example is a prime one. There is also different forms of archery, tho most may favor the mobilty with cavalry or the ranged volley from long bow users. Still, archers very much act as a lethal force especially when they draw daggers and overwelm their more well armored foes(Knights are horribly at a disadvantage given their lack of mobility n numbers). We also saw in Oblivion the rank of Imperial Forester, which in time of war would do well to harass and hinder enemy forces. Also, given the expertise of a few, you could even make a specialist group that could take key fortifications with hyper lethal efficiency where others have previously failed.

Speakin of specialized groups or divisions, alot of it just depens on skill set/gear, infamy amongst the ranks(i.e the Immortals IRL), and of course their number of units. After that, its just up to your imagination n the world itself. You always make use of famed factions or units unique to their provinces.. but it also begs the question of how superior they may be to your own forces(anything less would be on par with local barbarians) and of course their loyalty n fortitude. Heck, from Companions to Redorans to even the Dark Brotherhood(as if), all offer something unique.

In terms of equipment, I need not say Imperial Steel n basic leather would be the most common, if not the easiest to supply in mass. Iron alone would be rare, if not supplied to the surplus or being used by necessity. Elven grade gear would also be rare, if not a luxury n certainly not standard issue. Maybe within certain provinces they may deviate a bit, n of course higher ranking officials would make use of higher grade gear like silver.. or to the most esteemed, ebony weapons. Still, in the Legion its unlikely they would alter their uniform drastically be it by design or make, but they seem more relaxed with personal weaponry

I guess this namely covers the basic. If I was to talk more so into hypothetical types all the while being rather lore friendly.. have mercy on my phone's keyboard

[MetaCthulhu]

Imperial Medic: A lightly armoured soldier carrying only a short-sword and potions.
Imperial Operations Manager: A lightly armoured soldier who specialises in spell-based buffs.
Imperial Packrat: A heavily armoured, claymore wielding soldier who's job is to carry the extra war supplies (i.e. Repair hammers, kettles, shovels, etc,.)

[BetaB17]

Wouldnt a Packrat basically be the Quartermaster, or any of his assisting troop? Not fit for combat, more so for supply. Typically you would travel lighter than most, simply so that you can burden more of the essentials along with making use of the wagons when possible <_< 'Field Medics' and Legion Healers fall into the same line as support, tho it differs if they operate on or off the field.

Most other soldiers carry their own essentials along with their present gear.. the surplus either stays at amp or gets tossed in the wagons(i.e. like the tents). Lighter or less burden'd units can travel for longer, whether they make use of a 'caravan' for extended employments is purely a luxury. Seeing as the Imperial Legion has many local forts n a strong presence, they likely dont need such n would be well supplied from local reinforcements.

Sorry, couldnt help it

[MetaCthulhu]

@BetaB17

Hidden:

Wouldnt a Packrat basically be the Quartermaster, or any of his assisting troop? Not fit for combat, more so for supply. Typically you would travel lighter than most, simply so that you can burden more of the essentials along with making use of the wagons when possible <_< 'Field Medics' and Legion Healers fall into the same line as support, tho it differs if they operate on or off the field.

Most other soldiers carry their own essentials along with their present gear.. the surplus either stays at amp or gets tossed in the wagons(i.e. like the tents). Lighter or less burden'd units can travel for longer, whether they make use of a 'caravan' for extended employments is purely a luxury. Seeing as the Imperial Legion has many local forts n a strong presence, they likely dont need such n would be well supplied from local reinforcements.

Sorry, couldnt help it

That is one way to look at it. I was thinking they would be effective in a situation where wagons and Quartermasters would be unavailable or ineffective; such as a excursion deep into enemy territory where a location must be secured and held until it can link-up with the rest of the army, especially in places like Valenwood (Wooded), Hammerfell (Desert), or Blackmarsh (Swamp), where wagons would be severely handicapped.

So yes, for places where the empire mainly has control it would be a waste of resources, but in areas which are combat heavy it would allow a more mobile, autonomous unit which wouldn't need to check-in for supplies as often.

Besides, where else do I get to discuss war?

[ProphetDragon]

Wouldnt just much of this fall into standard infantry roles especially those made popular from Rome?

Feel too much Roman? Take Italian:

Imperial Engineer: Imperial soldiers trained for repairing machines.
Imperial Sharpshooter: Imperial troops with crossbow, trained for accuracy.
Imperial pikeman: Imperial soldiers with pikes.
Imperial halberdier: Imperial soldiers with halberd.
Imperial Witch-hunters: Imperial troops with silver and holy equipments.

[BetaB17]

Mmm.. I have a few to add

:

Forget the standard battlemages the legion enlists for battle, or the various healers or support class within the magic field. Firstly to be frank, this one is purely inspired by an enemy mage from Union's side of the TA2 rp. A highly lethal rank and unit within the Shadow Legion, the Imperial Magus. Unlike their larger counterpart, this group is far more specialized and suited for certain tasks. Rather than focusing on traditional warrior traits with the blend of Destruction or Alteration, the Imperial Magus is far more a kin to a Nightblade or Spellsword.

In regards to skill and gear, mobility nd lethal precision is everything. They typically garb themselves in light armor, most likely studded leather of high quality, over cloaked by a standard uniform robe. Their own rank, title, or subclass is represented by the style of their emblem but none else. Many favor use of a shortblade, daggers or even a short bow though it is far more common to see a conjured weapon if none else. Rather they prefer to isa multitude of magic but far from the comfort or safety of distance, doing all they can to turn favor in their wake

This unit suited best for highly aggressive tactics, and given their smaller numbers, only a few would deployed. Storming a fortified position to brek their defense or cleave through an enemy's flank, they are not a force to take lightly. Likewise, they obey much of the same chain of command as most of the Legion, but membership is very much a privilege n prestige amongst the Shadow Legion. Within thier own order, they have an independent subclasses that see to different tasks, all the while subjugated tp the Legion's own ranking tier

There are the Arcane Inquisitors, members that specialized with espionage and assassination. Of the division they are the ones to have the most interaction with the Mages Guild, given that they can elimate threats to the Empire or those where the Battlemages have previously failed. They are not however seen as the Imperial guardians, given the nature of their work. Typically their skill set favors a more stealth approach, but when on te open field they often attack targets behind enemy lines

Next up is the Arcane Scholars, a less popular class within the order, but one very much essential. While certainly the least mobile of the rest, they make up for their superior mastery of magic and well versed means of acting advisers. They can be seen as closer to the tradition type of mage, but are far from anything frail. On the open field, they are far more prone to work in numbers than as a lone wolf or to spread out. When not on deployment, they help mentor or guide others within this order or the Shadow Legion itself, making them great candidates or commanding ranks such as Magus-General

Lastly we have the most common subclass, the Arcane Warlock. Need it not said, any numbers of these can be a nightmare to an ill prepared force. They are the peek represention of their order, doing feets others within the Shadow Legion would call madness. It has little to do with pure power, justa clever mind and an ambitious soul. One of their best benefits is the ability to elimate enemy mages and reduce defending warriors effortlessly. Sadly, bc they forfeit much of the defense other mages prefer, they make for easier targets. This is why they are tactically deployed, given that most other purposes can be met with the Shadow Legion itself. The rarity of such skill is not to be discarded so easily

Funny thing is, this Imperial unit can very much exist, and is significant enough to warrant thus >_> maybe Jagar Tharn was one of them O.o oh my
.
.

[ProphetDragon]

Magic is supposed to be voluntary. The main power of the Empire was their tactics and numbers. The ratio of mages and soldiers should be 1:32,000 as wizards are not very needed in a powerful army.

P.S. Never think that the imperial armor would look like the one in Skyrim. Imagine it to be a skirtless, steel armor which looks like the one from Oblivion or Italy.

[BetaB17]

:

To be purely honest, in 2E and with the rise of the Mages Guild, the increase of mages and thier available resources to the public would certain bring about larger magic user density that you probably assume

Lets not forget, the Imperial Legion has division dedicated to battlemages called the Shadow Legion, let alone some of the Empires most influential individuals(i.e Jagar Tharn),have a rank dub'd Magus-General, and of course the Battlespire. The Legion is far from shy to that field of skill. And while indeed they favor warrior classes which are more plentiful, they do in fact welcome a large variety of volunteers n benefit from this very diversity

Maybe in 4E the Empire would have a decline due to a prolonged war or the political grievances to magic, this by no means to believe mages are such a rarity. Maybe masters of the craft or great wizards, but magic itself can range in scale. This is of course Tamriel, magic is far more obtainable even in military use, this is more than supported not just from the games but in their own lore Just look at the Thalmor n the Aldmeri Dominion, a formidable equal to the Empire itself. Of their patrols in Skyrim, we see their agents use magic and their subordinates wield swords. Both units may have their differences, but they are far from disproportioned. If they have such forces to spare, why cant the Empire in its former glory?

As per uniform, the wiki explicitly mentions that different provinces or political/cultural zones bring with them differences or alterations to the uniform, not to mention each variant of the Empire. Those we see in Skyrim certainly are.. lacking, but they still manage to keep true to their roots even when under supplied n forced to rely on th locals. I cant say for certain if that was their preferred armor, much like how the traditional heavy Imperial armor was common to those in Cyrodiil itself in 3E. Personally I would imagine most of their uniform to resemble what we saw in ESO given the obvious or Morrowind for its diversity. Whether a purely new or unheard of unit bears an entirely different uniform is of another question, but from a lore to even in-game stand point we already have good representation

You know what kind of unit the Legion is lacking? A Beast Master. The Dawnguard have one, why not they? Train up some beara to use as mounts.. armor up some trolls, or if daring maybe even lead some raiding parties of goblins against enemy lines Ya ambitious, but I highly doubt the Empire lacks even one of these even if it poses risks or seems incompatible with an army n certainly less so than the Hound-Master. Then again, who's complaining when you have gaints doing the siege for you

[AngryNord]

Magic is supposed to be voluntary. The main power of the Empire was their tactics and numbers. The ratio of mages and soldiers should be 1:32,000 as wizards are not very needed in a powerful army.

P.S. Never think that the imperial armor would look like the one in Skyrim. Imagine it to be a skirtless, steel armor which looks like the one from Oblivion or Italy.

The Legion armour in Oblivion is a poor rip-off of LoTR. The Skyrim armour isn't _that_ dissimilar from the Morrowind one, style-wise

[DaemonLion]

Not really adding much, and mostly based off the Imeprial Legion in Skyrim but I guess I'm still contributing.

Imperial Legionnaire - Skyrim Imperial Heavy Armoured with an Imperial Sword
Imperial Archer - Skyrim Imperial Light Armour with Imperial Bow and an Iron Dagger
Imperial Scout - Skyrim Imperial Light Armour (though replace the Helmet with a hood for aesthetics) and an Iron Dagger
Imperial Cavalryman - Imperial Legionnaire on a horse
Imperial Horse Archer - Imperial Archer on a horse
Imperial Battlemage - Imperial Legionnaire but use destruction magic primarily
Imperial Healer - Same as Scout but uses primarily Restoration magic
Imperial Artilleryman - Same as Legionnaire but just uses artillery*
Imperial Officer - Same as Legionnaire however with an Imperial Officer's Helmet (you don't see the Officer's Helmet used much)
Imperial Legate - Same as Legionnaire or Officer however with an Imperial (full-faced) Helmet (never used as far as I know)

I assume the Imperial Legions would be fairly standardised by the Fourth Era, similar to that of the Roman Legions after the Marius Reforms.

However I assume that just like their IRL Roman equivalent (yeah, I know Imperial =/= Roman but let me have my fun), the Imperial Legions would have auxiliary troops recruited from other provinces/other races that wouldn't fit as well into the Imperial Legions or are more specialised than Imperial troops. Such as Orc two-handed axe-men, elite Redguard warriors, Bosmer marksman (slower but more accurate and independent than Imperial Archers?), Breton mages (more autonomous than Imperial mages and uses magic in other disciplines besides Destruction and Restoration) or even just troops provided by Imperial Counts that may or may not be specialised such as Bruma soldiers for use in Skyrim, Anvil soldiers for use in Hammerfell, Leyawiin soldiers for use in Black Marsh.

*I've seen catapults in Skyrim, but would the Imperial Legions have something resembling a scorpio (a Roman piece of artillery that was basically a high-powered crossbow)?