Originally posted by Knight_Bond007
anothere question : difference between riflemen and grenadier?
wich come first? can grenadiers be used instead of riflemen? are they different?
and pikes come after pikeman, right?
Well, it's not very easy to answer, as the name 'Fusillier", "Musketeer", or "Rifleman" may be similar.
In terms of CivIII, I use the following historical path and definition.
First comes the Harquebusier : heavy cumbersome low rate weapons. Then the musket (cossacks 17c unit): matchlock to increase the rate of fire, lighter weapon, but not efficient at close combat. Next, with the bayonet, the musketer (cossack 18c musketer), the pikes disapperar. Then, the fusillier (= Napoleonic infantry), then the rifleman (civIII unit, circa 1850). The rifleman is the first one to have a breachloading rifle, all the previous unit have muzzle loading weapons.
The first grenadier appeared circa 1670. They were selected among the tallest and bravest soliders, and formed an elite infantry. In fact, the grenade was not used very long, but the grenadiers kept the name, and a small funny device on their uniform. But this is another story...