Winged Hussar

{{Infobox unit }} Winged Hussar is a fast cavalry unit in Cossacks 3.
 * image     =frame63.png
 * icon      =frame63.png
 * faction   =
 * type      =fast cavalry
 * hp        =235
 * attack    ={{pike|13}}
 * defense   ={{resist|1|2|1|1|7|175}}
 * abilities =
 * prereq    =
 * built at  =Stable
 * cost      ={{food|150}}{{iron|25}}}

Background
"A mounted gentleman with a sword is worth a warlord," Polish noblemen boasted. Winged hussars in steel armour constituted the core of the Polish army. Infantry, being a significant part of other European armies, was merely an ancillary force in Poland. By June 1702 the king's army comprised 12 regiments of kawaleria narodowa (national cavalry). There were 9 gonfalons (squadrons) in each regiment; each gonfalon comprised 150 to 600 soldiers. Colonels were the actual masters of the regiments - they maintained and equipped their soldiers. Each Polish tycoon took pride in his own heavy cavalry. A cavalryman was armed with a sabre, a pair of pistols, a short musket and a lance. He wore a steel helmet and armour plating. Special feathered wings protected his back from sabre blows. Winged hussars would often wear furs over their armour.

Strategies
The Winged Hussar has the highest in-game speed compaired to the other fast cavalry units.

Due to their long production time, their usage early game is really meagre untill all upgrades are finished. They are however still much stronger un-upgraded than any other fast Cavalry and a longer attack-range due to their lance (This is actually quite important!).

The power of The Winged Hussar, just like the other fast cavalries, is early divisionary raids. The bonus for this unit is the heavy armour value (bullet/shrapnel ressistance) and the fastest speed, which makes them un-catchable by pikemen, and un-beatable by ranged units, except archers. Use this heavy benefit with simply 2-5 WH's to circle your opponents outer ressource deposits, such as mines and forest/stone storages. This will force your opponent to relocate armies and can be used as an strategical advantage.

The downside of the Winged Hussar is its really slow buildtime and late-game unit stats, as it's only benefit will be divisionary raid. The attack and defend values are high early in the game, but scale slower than other fast cavalry units, such as the Croat. This makes the Winged Hussar a risky investment later in the game, when huge battles are going down. Veteran players usually keep ~100 around for "circling" peasants, otherwise focusing on heavy cavalry or 18th Century Dragoons. (Note: The Winged Hussar is still stronger than the other fast cavalry units, since its a fast-heavy-armor unit. They are deemed weak due to their construction cost and time)