Strelet

The Strelets are a Russian light infantry unit in Age of Empires III.

Overview
Streltsy are the Russian meat-shield and anti-infantry unit. Streltsy are weak and cheap, making them useful for rushing in the Colonial Age. However, the Streltsy are weaker than other infantry units and easily hit 200 population. The costs in brackets refer to the blockhouse's ability to train Streltsy in groups of 10. You can get the original cost if you train from another Strelets-producing building such as the Fort or the Galleon. Streltsy are very cost-effective, and even more after the cards that upgrade them. However, by the time you reach the Fortress Age,you should support your Streltsy with Musketeers or Cossacks.

Strategy
Streltsy are useful to outnumber your enemy and taking down enemy musketeers. Streltsy are also easy to mass since each queue will train a group of 10 strelets. In later stages of the game, it is advised to add the cards that upgrade the Strelet's in your deck. However, Streltsy still remain weak when compared to Musketeers. Once upgraded with all the cards, arsenal upgrades and barracks upgrades, you will end up with a strong anti-infantry unit for a very low price. Strelets are very good at team games as nations that can boost strelets (Team cards) will make them even more powerful. Strelets costs 53% less resources than Musketeers, which means that the player does not need an even win/lose ratio in order to make ends meet. Strelet's when buffed get 23 damage and 3x multipliers to heavy infantry. Strelets are a good choice against nations that rely on Musketeers and Heavy Infantry in general but they are a very bad Unit to use against Cavalry or Artillery based Civilizations.

Shipments
This is a list of shipments that benefit Strelets in any way.

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:100%; margin-bottom:0px; margin-top:1px;" ! sab="1148"| Click for a list of Strelet related home city cards
 * - sab="1147"
 * - sab="1149"
 * sab="1150"|

Russians

 * }

History
The term "Streltsy" (plural of 'strelets' in the original Russian) refers to light infantry in the employ of the Tsar. They were the first standing infantry of the Russian army, but only received meager pay for their mostly meager services. There was elite group of mounted streltsy in employ of the Tsar who formed his bodyguards (the only way to be a member was to be a son of a member). This elite Streltsy regiment was disbanded by Peter the Great after an attempted revolt in which they were involved. Some streltsy were professional soldiers (conscription duties tended to last a while) that acted as personal bodyguards and messengers for the Tsar. Originally armed with bows (which is where their name came from), Strelets were later armed with long, heavy muskets and used their traditional axe as a makeshift stand for the musket.