Jäger

A Jäger soldier.

Jägers, also colloquially referred to as Hessians, were a detachment of German troops that were contracted by the British to fight in the American Revolutionary War. However, they operated independently of most British protocols.

Jägers specialized in deep forest and wilderness combat, tactics and reconnaissance, as well as unconventional warfare. As such, they were regarded as an elite scouting unit, used for surveying an area ahead of a body of troops or leading the way on the front lines.

The Jägers gained a fierce reputation as fearsome warriors and reliable, disciplined troops, and they were well respected within the ranks of the British Army.

Combat

During the American Revolutionary War, Jägers were the toughest enemies in that they could not be directly attacked, counter-attacked, or thrown. Whenever Connor attempted to do so, it would result in a parry or a retaliatory counter. The only known ways to kill them were to use the environment, lethal tools or through disarming them and repeatedly attacking the Jäger while they were vulnerable.

Jägers were not altogether common in the cities of Boston and New York; however, when Connor became notorious, they would comb the city, actively searching for him. As a guard archetype, Jägers were smarter and much more aggressive than plain British Regulars, and would employ advanced tactics and detection skills. Accompanying this, Jägers were highly agile and could chase Connor across rooftops.

In terms of weaponry, Jägers used officer's swords and flintlock pistols, and would punch and lunge their weapons in close quarters, as well as attacking from a distance. Usually, Jägers would attack in quick succession, of 3 to 4 thrusts, making it harder for them to be countered. They also carried some grenades, and would occasionally throw them during combat.

Trivia

• In German, Jäger means "huntsman".
• Oddly, despite their specialization in wilderness combat, Jägers were less common in the Frontier.
• On a historical note, Jägers were a regiment of light infantry, meaning that they were not suited for melee combat. This is ironic given their amazing in-game proficiency with swords.
• The Continental Army also had their own variant of Jägers, even though the American forces never hired any Hessian mercenaries.
• Jagers command forts under British control and are required to be killed for the fort to be captured by Patriots.
• Jacob Zenger, and Assassin, was a Hessian until he arrived in the new world.

Reference

• Assassin's Creed III