Sartosa Free Company

''You'll never find a less trustworthy rabble, but for the right price they'll fight to the death... and beyond.''

Sartosa Free Company are a melee infantry unit unique to Aranessa Saltspite's Pirates of Sartosa.

Description
The Decadent Pirate Principality of Sartosa, known more politely by its swashbuckling inhabitants as the Free City of Sartosa or simply the City of Pirates, is an anarchic pirate island-stronghold located on the southern reaches of war-torn Tilea, off the coast of the Tilean city-state of Luccini. A notorious haven for criminals, it harbours all manner of pirates, brigands, lawless mercenaries - anyone wanting to avoid the various legitimate powers of the Old World. It is a tremendously dangerous place, where drunken pirates press-gang unsuspecting individuals, brawls and duels are an hourly occurrence, and thieves ply the dirty, crowded docks looking for easy marks. Despite the risks, however, it is a place where someone with the toughness and willpower to survive can not only live but thrive, far from the yoke of unfair taxes, overbearing noblemen, and stringent laws. From Sartosa to Araby in the south, the Border Princes to the east, and the mainland past the Great Ocean, exotic lands await. In short, Sartosa is a perfect place for finding fame, plunder and endless adventure!

Attributes
↑ Anti-Infantry: Anti-infantry units have an advantage against targets that are smaller than a horse. This advantage can be a damage bonus against small targets, superior weight used to smash through lighter enemies, or an explosive attack from range that effects a large area.

↑ Vanguard Deployment: This unit can deploy in an expanded deployment area, allowing it to start the battle within striking distance of the enemy - or somewhere unexpected.

↑ Aquatic: Where other units of small stature struggle to fight and move in shallow water, Aquatic units excel.

Abilities

 * Rowdy: +4 Leadership and Perfect Vigour

Strategy
The melee unit is a solid upgrade to the Zombie Deckhand Mobs Vampire Coast factions will typically use, easily doing more damage with their anti-infantry bonus. With Aranessa's army specific buffs in campaign they can become far superior to the Deckhands, shredding through most infantry. Outside of her army, they are still solid units, although not as strong. The downsides to not having Undead in your front line is that they can rout, which leaves one's gun line exposed. These units are more damage dealers than holders, perhaps save them for flanking attacks or against key enemy infantry rather than a full front line. They also have Vanguard deployment and a hefty speed boost over their zombie comrades allowing them to sneak up on artillery pieces or get good flanking maneuvers.