Pike & Shotte: Landsknecht Starter Army

Pike & Shotte – Landsknecht Starter Army

The late 15th and early 16th centuries in Europe were an age of near-constant warfare. National standing armies did not yet exist, and the ambitions of kings and emperors relied on the mercenaries they could afford to hire. Among the most famous of these were the Landsknechts, raised by Emperor Maximilian I to counter the fearsome Swiss pikemen who had dominated European battlefields for decades.

Throughout the Italian Wars (1494–1559), Landsknecht tactics evolved rapidly — combining the pike’s reach with the growing power of black powder firearms. This flexibility gave them a decisive edge over their Swiss rivals.

At the core of every regiment were the Doppelsöldner — veteran soldiers earning double pay for their courage in fighting on the front lines. Armed with deadly Zweihänder two-handed swords, or early firearms like the arquebus and crossbow, they fought in the thick of battle, protecting their comrades and the regiment’s colors.

The Landsknechts also made devastating use of gunpowder weapons, both in open battles and sieges. Their distinctive plumed hats, slashed clothing, and unmatched bravado made them both feared and admired across Europe.

Box Contents
96 Plastic Landsknecht Pikemen with Command Options
24 Plastic Landsknechts with Zweihänders
24 Plastic Landsknechts with Crossbows or Arquebuses
4 Metal Officers
1 Metal Handbüchse Light Gun with Crew
Full-Color Flag Sheet
Plastic Bases

This boxed set provides a complete Pike & Shotte Landsknecht army, bristling with pikes, swords, and gunpowder — ready to march across Renaissance battlefields in search of glory and gold.