Dragoon

Dragoons are a type of ranged counter-cavalry unit in Age of Empires III. Dragoons can be trained in the Stable once the Fortress Age is reached. Exceptions are made when the TEAM Early Dragoons card is used by the Portuguese in the Colonial Age.

Overview
The Dragoon works as a ranged counter-Cavalry Cavalry unit. It is strong against Melee Cavalry, but is weak to Infantry, especially Ranged Infantry and has no resistance to melee attacks. Several civilizations replace dragoons with Cavalry Archers, while the Dutch use Ruyters and the Germans use War Wagons. Overall, Dragoons are a formidable unit that is especially good against hand cavalry when used correctly.

If playing as the Portuguese, Dragoons are available in the Colonial Age if the Team Early Dragoons card is shipped. Portuguese Dragoons are also more useful than other civilizations' as they can be upgraded to royal guard, and have the Dragoon Combat card, giving them an advantage in attack and hit points (unction Dragoons have better attack but fewer hit points) compared to other civilizations. The Portuguese can also give them the advantage in range with the Genitours card which increases their max range by 6. Dragoons are also good against heavy infantry by kiting. Skirmishers can also be engaged if the dragoons are put into melee mode.


 * The Outlaw Rider treasure guardian type is somewhat like a dragoon with no multipliers vs. cavalry.
 * The Russians can't train Dragoons but can send nine Kalmuck Dragoons from their church when the Royal Decree shipment has arrived.

Upgrades
Dragoons can be upgraded into a Veteran Dragoon, a Guard Dragoon and an Imperial Dragoon depending on the age reached. They can further be improved with home city shipments, minor civilization upgrades, unique Church upgrades and Arsenal upgrades.

Arsenal

 * Ranged Cavalry Caracole increases range by 2 and attack by 10%.

Normal upgrades
Veteran Dragoons are slightly better than ordinary Dragoons with higher hit points and attack. Veteran Dragoons are the first upgrade of the Dragoon. Once researched, the attack and hit points increases by 20%. They are available at the Stable once the Fortress Age is reached.


 * Hit points: 240
 * Ranged attack: 26
 * Siege attack: 10
 * Cost: [[File:Resources wood.png]] and [[File:Icon coin.gif]]

Guard Dragoons are next available upgrade for Dragoons and further increase hit points and attack by 30% once researched. The upgrade is available at the Stable once the Industrial Age is reached.


 * Hit points: 300
 * Ranged attack: 33
 * Siege attack: 13
 * Cost: [[File:Resources wood.png]] and [[File:Icon coin.gif]]

Imperial Dragoons are the final and strongest form of the Dragoon and is the successor of the Guard Dragoon. Imperial Dragoons have the highest amount of hit points and attack. Once researched, the attack and hit points increase by 50%. The upgrade is available at the Stable once the Imperial Age is reached.


 * Hit points: 400
 * Ranged attack: 44
 * Siege attack: 18
 * Cost: [[File:Resources wood.png]] and [[File:Icon coin.gif]]

Royal Guard upgrades
Portuguese have access to Royal Guard Dragoons which are stronger than Guard Dragoons. Jinete Dragoons are available once the Industrial Age is researched.
 * Hit points: 320
 * Ranged attack: 35
 * Siege attack: 14
 * Cost: [[File:Resources wood.png]] and [[File:Icon coin.gif]]

Portuguese can also upgrade their Royal Guard Dragoons into Imperial Guard Dragoons which are stronger than Imperial Dragoons. Imperial Jinetes are available once the Imperial Age is reached.
 * Hit points: 420
 * Ranged attack: 46
 * Siege attack: 18
 * Cost: [[File:Resources wood.png]] and [[File:Icon coin.gif]]

History
"Dragoons were a very flexible mounted infantry, using their horses to move swiftly, then often dismounting to fight on foot with carbines, pistols, and sabers. During the eighteenth century in Europe, military leaders maintained dozens of regiments of Dragoons, placing them in a fixed role as medium cavalry. In the Americas, Dragoons were used as both cavalry and infantry. They scouted, raided camps, screened armies, and protected the rear of retreats. Dragoons wore tall helmets, often plumed, and carried a variety of arms. The carbines they used, called "dragons," gave the Dragoons their name. This short-barreled, smoothbore weapon had less range and power than a rifle and required that Dragoons be accompanied by infantrymen or dismounted Dragoons armed with longer-range firearms."

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

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

Portuguese

 * }

Trivia

 * Even though the Dragoons' icon shows a rifle, they use the pistol instead.
 * Portuguese Royal Guard Dragoons are named after the Spanish term for Genitour, jinete (although the Portuguese word ginete would be more appropriate).
 * Russian Dragoons are named after the Kalmyk people known for their skilled use of firearms while on horseback.