Jurchens

The Jurchens

The Jurchen people originally came from the forests of northeast China, where they primarily relied on hunting and fishing to survive. Hunting was culturally significant for the Jurchen people, and all Jurchen men were expected to participate in group hunts. Archeological finds also cement this fact: excavated Jurchen tombs contain significantly more hunting and fishing implements than agricultural ones.

The Jurchens rose to power under the leadership of Wanyan Aguda in 1115 CE. Originally subjugated by the Liao dynasty of the neighboring Khitans, Wanyan spurred his people to rebellion and eventually overthrew the Khitans in a series of military offensives. The Jurchens found allies in the Song, who were also keen to be rid of the Liao, before eventually betraying them as well to establish the Jin dynasty. The destruction of the Khitans in 1125 CE cemented Jin dominance of the northern steppes, but Wanyan Aguda died the same year. His brother, Wanyan Sheng, took up the reins of leadership and continued Jin incursions south, pushing further into Song territory.

From a military perspective, the Jurchens knew from their previous alliance that the Song armies were ripe for conquest. Their geographic origin as a northern steppe tribe meant superior horses, and nearly the entire Jurchen army was comprised of cavalry units. Primarily fighting as mounted bowman, the Jurchen cavalry attacks devastated the southern armies and allowed them to gain control over southern China all the way to the Huai River. While the bow and arrow were their preferred weapons, they also effectively used spears and swords from horseback. One of their most famous forces were the iron pagodas, formidable heavily armored cavalry units, which fought in tight formations with Dao swords or spears.

The Jurchens famously utilized gunpowder to devastating effect in battle. After the Song armies deployed gunpowder bombs and gunpowder arrows against the Jurchens in their 1126 CE attack against Kaifeng, the Jurchens quickly created their own explosives. They returned to Kaifeng and – in one of the first battles in world history to showcase gunpowder weapons on both sides – prevailed against the Song with gunpowder bombs, fire lances, and fire arrows. They eventually developed a weapon called the thunderclap bomb, which they used against Mongol invaders in the siege of Kaifeng in 1232 CE.

The Jurchens successfully maintained the Jin dynasty without contention for almost 80 years until the Mongols arrived. Successfully unified under Genghis Khan in 1206 CE, the Mongols in turn looked south and attacked the Jin in 1209 CE. Like the Song and Liao dynasties before them, the Jurchens’ long tenure in power had caused them to neglect their armies, placing them in a dangerous position. The Mongols destroyed the Northern Jurchen capital Zhongdu (modern day Beijing) in 1215 CE, forcing the Jin to flee to their southern capital, Kaifeng, which was deep in originally Song territory. The Song, seeing a powerful ally against a common rival, joined forces with the Mongols. These powers simultaneously defeated the Jurchens in 1235 CE, toppling the Jin dynasty.

Playstyle

The Jurchens did not stop at Kaifeng, however, but plunged into the south, lured by the prospect of looting what was then the richest empire in the world.
– CJ Peers, ‘Soldiers of the Dragon’.

The Jurchen civilization combines powerful cavalry with exceptional gunpowder technology and sturdy defenses. Understanding both nomadic and urban ways of life, their unparalleled proficiency in hunting techniques allows them to preserve any animal they gather for food, making their early economy stable and easy to manage. The Jurchens deploy a versatile army: potent mounted units like Steppe Lancers; devastating Fire Lancers from the Barracks; and Iron Pagodas, an elite cavalry unit with immense resistance to physical damage. The resolve and technological advantages of the Jurchens allows all of these units to attack faster, which makes their melee units especially formidable.

Inventing one of the first iron-cased bombs in history, the Jurchens field powerful Grenadiers, raining explosive destruction from afar. Their specialization in gunpowder technology further improves their Rocket Carts and Lou Chuans, and even allows all of their units to receive less damage from friendly fire.

The Jurchens are experts at siege warfare and fortifications, researching all siege and fortification upgrades twice as quickly and less expensively. They can even research Siege Engineers an age early, making their siege weapons particularly dangerous. Maintaining large portions of the Great Wall, the Jurchens are able to research the Fortified Bastions unique technology, allowing their fortifications to regenerate.

Another unique technology, Thunderclap Bombs, improves Jurchen Rocket Carts, Lou Chuans and Grenadiers with explosives that that spread out to detonate again. These units are so dangerous that their explosives combust when defeated, damaging all adjacent enemies.

Unique Units

Grenadier

Faster and more accurate than Rocket Carts, Grenadiers hurl heaven-shaking bombs. While they excel against infantry, their devastating explosives are effective against almost anything.

Jurchen unique Gunpowder Unit with ranged blast attack, but cannot attack at close range.
Strong vs. Infantry and tight groups of units. Weak vs Ranged Soldiers and units at close range.

Iron Pagoda

The armor of this potent cavalryman is so heavy and durable that it can sometimes completely block melee attacks.

Jurchen unique Heavy Cavalry with durable armor that can completely block melee attacks.
Strong vs. Infantry and Ranged Soldiers. Weak vs. Spearman-line and Camel Riders.

Grenadier

Faster and more accurate than Rocket Carts, Grenadiers hurl heaven-shaking bombs. While they excel against infantry, their devastating explosives are effective against almost anything.

Jurchen unique Gunpowder Unit with ranged blast attack, but cannot attack at close range.
Strong vs. Infantry and tight groups of units. Weak vs Ranged Soldiers and units at close range.

Iron Pagoda

The armor of this potent cavalryman is so heavy and durable that it can sometimes completely block melee attacks.

Jurchen unique Heavy Cavalry with durable armor that can completely block melee attacks.
Strong vs. Infantry and Ranged Soldiers. Weak vs. Spearman-line and Camel Riders.

Regional Units

Fire Lancer

This powerful infantry unit fires a short-ranged gunpowder weapon before engaging in melee combat, and is especially adept against mounted units.

Gunpowder Shock Infantry that fires a short ranged firearm before engaging in melee combat,
Strong vs. Cavalry and buildings. Weak vs. Militia-line and Archery Units.

Steppe Lancer

Light Horseman with increased attack range.
Strong in groups. Weak vs. Cavalry, Camel Riders and Archery units.

Lou Chuan

This floating fortress bombards buildings from afar with its trebuchet, but is also excellent when hailing arrows on other ships.

Powerful Siege Warship that fires arrows at units and uses a long range trebuchet weapon against buildings and Siege Weapons but cannot attack at close range.
Strong vs. buildings. Weak vs Fire Ships.

Rocket Cart

Instead of flinging stones like Mangonels, this siege unit fires volleys of deadly explosive rockets!

Siege Gunpowder Unit with ranged blast attack, but cannot attack at close range.
Strong vs. tight groups of units. Weak vs. units at close range.
Can attack ground.