The Boneguards are elite infantry units that serve the Circle of Ossus in Age of Empires III. They are based on the crusader order, the Knights Templar.
There are two different types of Boneguard: Musketeers and Swordsmen. Swordsmen are mainly seen in Act I, and Musketeers in Acts II and III, with swordsmen returning to defend the Ossuary in the final campaign scenario.
- Musketeers - Boneguard Musketeers are crack-shots that resemble Pikemen with guns; they wear a hard breastplate and a striped cap. Like Ottoman Janissaries, Boneguard Musketeers use a sword instead of a bayonet in hand-to-hand combat. They are much stronger than the Swordsmen, but cost more. They are good against Melee Units, but not in hand-to-hand combat, as their hand attack is poor.
- Swordsmen - Boneguard Swordsmen don a white tunic over mail and use a long two-handed longsword to hack through enemy lines in battle. Ranged units are dangerous to the Swordsmen, who are infantry units.
Both types of Boneguard have large amounts of hit points, but they can be beaten with proper counter-infantry units or a hero's special abilities.
To enable Boneguards at the Barracks in a custom scenario, go to the Triggers Menu, go to Set Tech Status, go to "SPCenable Boneguard" for Boneguard Swordsman and for Boneguard Musketeer "SPCenable boneguardAGE2".
Gallery[]
Boneguard Musketeer and Warwick on Warwick's Stronghold loading screen.
Warwick, Boneguard Musketeers and John Black in the final cutscene of Act II: Ice
Warwick and a Boneguard Musketeer aiming his musket at John Black in the final cutscene of Act II: Ice
In-game Boneguard Musketeer in melee mode
Boneguard Musketeer model.
From left to right: Boneguard Musketeer, Boneguard Swordsman
Portrait of both types of Boneguards in the original game
Boneguard Musketeer and Warwick on Warwick's Stronghold loading screen in the Definitive Edition
Boneguard Swordsmen (left) and Boneguard Musketeers in the Definitive Edition
