Ground-Air Cooperation, Coordinated Footwork

Was Ulwo's judgment correct?

It was, but not entirely.

The Northern Wanderers weren't unsuited to prolonged battles. It was simply that their strength in direct combat wasn't one of their advantages compared to their other qualities.

Thanks to Freljord's comprehensive development, the Northern Wanderers far surpassed the other armies of Runeterra in discipline, organization, and mobility. Guided by Karya's military-building philosophy, they excelled at coordinating different branches of the military. Their thinking was relatively unified, they showed great initiative, and they could carry out many missions beyond the capabilities of ordinary armies.

However, when it came to sheer strength in a head-on fight, the Northern Wanderers didn't actually have much of an advantage. They were even at a disadvantage against the Fearless Vanguard.

There was no helping it.

This was partly because of the innate difference in the quality of their recruits, and partly because of the vast differences in their social customs and structures.

Where did the Fearless Vanguard's soldiers come from?

They were either nobles' children or respectable young men supported by the savings of several generations of yeoman farmers. From the age of three, they rode hobbyhorses and swung wooden sticks at one another.

By the age of five, the most peaceful game they played was probably a simplified version of King's Assertion.

Then, starting at ten, they began basic military training. Families with the means would even have their children train together, preparing them for future service in a sword formation or shield formation.

At fifteen, they underwent Demacia's reserve assessment. Those who passed officially enlisted.

Generally speaking, unless they came from an extraordinarily influential family like Garen's, most soldiers joined the Fearless Vanguard between the ages of twenty-five and thirty. They usually served for around ten years, and unless they became officers, they typically retired