Écorcheurs
The Ecorcheur is the upgrade of the Routier. It has more HP, better attack and attack bonuses than the predecessor.
Unit Statistics
Vital
Type: Cavalry Archer
Available to: England
Trained at: Castle
Century: 15th
Cost: 60 food, 70 florins
Combat
HP: 50
Attack: 8
Armor/Pierce Armor: 2/2
Range: 7
Accuracy Percentage: 50
Reloading Time: 2.2
Special: +6 vs. spearmen
Upgrades
Upgrade from: Routier
Attack, range: Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, Bracer, Bow Practice
Attack: Alchemy
Armour: Padded Archer Armour, Leather Archer Armour, Ring Archer Armour
Armour, bonuses: Plackart
Accuracy: Thumb Ring
Speed: Husbandry
Hit Points: Bloodlines
Training time: Indenture
Commentary/Strategy
Similar to Routiers, Echorcheurs are pathetically inaccurate at maximum range, but most useful in groups and against big groups of enemies. Mercifully, by the time they are upgraded their archery has improved substantially. Their increased attack and HP added to their armour not only make them effective against archers and skirmishers but make them useful in pursuing Welsh Saethwyr - especially after being equipped with the Thumb Ring.
Above all, Ecorcheurs excel against advancing spearmen - even at close quarters - using their attack bonus and defence abilities to full effect.
Historical Background
The term "écorcheur" ("skinner"), like the "routier", derived from bands of mercenaries - mostly from the disbanded "grandes compagnies" - that ferociously pillaged the lands of France during the 15th century.