Muskets were far more powerful than bows. Though their accuracy was poor, if they hit, even somewhat weaker armor was practically useless.
It was manageable if you could ride a horse; wearing a heavy breastplate was no great issue. But for infantry, it was far too difficult.
Not everyone was a priest of the Silent Temple, able to wear over a hundred pounds of heavy armor and still race alongside cavalry while climbing chains.
Thus, going without armor in exchange for greater mobility and agility became the final choice.
Without armor, the muskets in their hands became all the more crucial.
These soldiers used the Empire's Iron Thorn River Model Muskets. Their advantages were a simple structure, easy maintenance, and solid overall quality control. Used correctly, they were unlikely to burst.
Their drawback was that they were rather too long. When stood upright on the ground with the butt down, the muzzle nearly reached a soldier's shoulder.
That made reloading rather troublesome—while standing, at least.
If they were lying prone, reloading became extremely laborious.
Gwen mounted her horse and shouted orders for the Resistance Army to form up. They did not have much time; they only managed to spread out around a thousand men, twice the number of the enemy.
They could not wait any longer. Wasting more time assembling the troops would be no different from losing.
Soon, both sides came within sight. The enemy bugler sounded the command, and the soldiers slowly formed ranks.
They left their front open and did not fully block the Resistance Army's advance. Cleverly, they engaged from the flank instead. If the Resistance Army wanted to pursue, they would have to take a longer route—and time was what they lacked most right now.
"One infantry battalion. The Empire's army basically uses battalions as