Why build Zouaves?

[Bismarck1940]

I see the benefits of conscripts (can train up), marines (AA/river), sharpshooters, etc. But why would one build Zouaves?

[elxaime]

Le pantalon rouge c'est la France! All armies at this time looked to France and since everyone knows clothes make the man, the game gives the red-pants wearers slightly higher morale.

Seriously though, I have wondered at this. The actual French Zouaves earned their reputation through fighting in North Africa, where they developed and used light infantry tactics.

I have the impression many US Civil War "zouave" regiments, on both sides, adopted the dress because it made they look tough and cool. Nothing wrong with that. But I suspect not many actually practiced the zouave tactics. Perhaps regiments like the Louisiana Tigers, CSA zouaves, did so due to the many French speakers in New Orleans.

Perhaps a zouave expert can correct me, but I think that is it. The in-game zouaves are slightly more effective so its worth buying them.

Of course, if the war happened twenty years later, we would be asking whether it was worth it to buy those regiments in Pickelhaubes...

[Stonewall]

USA and CSA Zoaves have a 10% movement speed bonus. The early CSA Zoaves, in addition to the movement bonus, have a 30 day build time, which is consistent with other CSA infantry builds. Early Zoaves then upgrade to a different Zoave regiment with stats identical to standard infantry, including a removal of the speed bonus.

They don't cost anything different than a normal infantry regiment and the early ones give a movement speed bonus. As a result, I prioritize mine.

[Merlin]

Unlike many of the other infantry regiments for either side, they show up as line infantry, not conscripts or volunteers. As Stonewall mentioned, they are also slightly quicker. One of the reasons I really like them is they are single regiments, and as such are extremely versatile. You can use them to fill out odd division builds, break them out of divisions for temporary garrisons, and will generally increase the flexibility of any formation of which they are a part.

[minipol]

I build them because they have funny hats and talk funny, which makes the troops laugh, which is good for morale

[Bismarck1940]

Thanks all very much.

[elxaime]

They do build from the start at 80 cohesion, which puts them in the top tier (just checked Union side).

[elxaime]

Curiously, has anyone tried to make an all-Zouave super fast division? You can equip it with horse artillery, put them under a fast-march leader and watch them go! At least until they turn into late war slow-pokes...

[ArmChairGeneral]

As the CSA I build all the ones in New Orleans for all the reasons stated above (except for speed: barring a one-off division like elxaime describes they will always be grouped with something slower anyway) but also because the other Louisiana infantry options are combat-inferior to Zoaves for almost the same cost. Why build conscripts when you can build line infantry for the same price?

[Jim-NC]

They have the benefit of being cheap, and as line infantry, are capable of capturing cities that are not loyal to you. Thus they can follow your cavalry and capture those enemy cities your cavalry can't.

[H Gilmer3]

I believe that from what I read before about Zouaves, that yes, they copied it from foreign troops, most notably French troops in Northern Africa, who used the Zouave clothing. But, they are supposed to have been better troops with better equipment in general and better morale, similar to the French troops.

Some did practice Zouave tactics, but it seems not to be widespread. Some were just show.