"Blades in hand, they thrive in melee, at the heart of battle."
- —Description of Empire Swordsmen in Total War: Warhammer.[3]
An Empire Swordsman as depicted in Total War: Warhammer.
Empire Swordsmen are some of the most common basic line infantry fielded by the Empire, wielding their eponymous swords, shields and protected by half-plate armour.
Role[]
Empire Swordsmen are expert fencers, equipped with a standard sword and shield and fighting in a loose formation, allowing them to manoeuvre in close combat. These daring soldiers are often romanticised by Imperial poets as tall, dashing figures, bravely engaging the best enemy regiments with only their bravery and combat skill, striking an opponent's weak spot while knowing how to defend themselves with their battle-worn shields.[1a]
This, along with their tremendous skill with the sword and their flexible formation, makes them a tough challenge for even the most skilled opponents, providing the Empire with powerful offensive capability. Truly professional soldiers, swordsmen form the rock of many Imperial battle lines.[1a]
Soldiers wear highly ornamental half-plate armour that bears the emblem of the Empire, their province, and other personal accessories and talismans. With the Empire housing many of the finest fencing schools within the Old World, many have regarded the Empire as having some of the best swordsmen in all of the kingdoms of Men, and some say that they are even better than the fearsome Diestros swordsmen of distant Estalia.[2a]
Notable Empire Swordsmen[]
Empire Swordsmen leading the charge.
- Markus Kruber - A former Empire Swordsmen sergeant who later became a member of the famed band of adventurers and Imperial heroes known as the Ubersreik Five.
Notable Regiments[]
- Sigmar's Sons - A renowned regiment of highly-religious Imperial swordsmen.
- Swords of Ulric - A famed regiment of swordsmen raised in service to the Cult of Ulric.
- Wolf Brothers - A grizzled unit of Middenland's heroes.
- Vengeful Blades - Survivors of the destruction of Talabheim, these swordsmen raised this new unit to seek vengeance against the enemy in Middenheim during the End Times.
- Steil's Swords - A unit of celebrated swordsmen raised from the town guard of Altdorf.