Jäger
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 specialised 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 the Assassin 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 carry some Grenades and sometimes throw them during combat.
Trivia
- Ironically, despite their specialisation in wilderness combat, Jägers were less common in the Frontier.
- In German, Jäger means "huntsman".
- Historically Jäger are a regiment of light infantry, meaning they were not suited for melee combat
- The Continental Army also have their own variant of Jägers, even though historically the Americans never hired any Hessian mercenaries.
Reference