The Highlander is a pivotal troop type specifically available to the British forces in The Silver Bayonet: A Wargame of Napoleonic Gothic Horror. Set during the chaos of the Napoleonic Wars, the game features elite, clandestine units from various nations—the Silver Bayonets—tasked with hunting down the vampires, werewolves, and other monstrous entities that the bloodshed has awakened.
The Highlander represents a soldier drawn from one of the famed Scottish regiments, such as the 42nd (Black Watch), bringing a unique and essential skillset that balances the unit’s need for both disciplined soldiery and raw, fearless combat ability in the face of the supernatural.
The primary battlefield role of the Highlander is that of a tough, courageous melee specialist. Unlike standard line infantry, they possess a naturally higher Courage attribute, making them significantly more reliable when facing the terror and madness inflicted by the various creatures and occult forces encountered during investigations.
This bravery is crucial in a game where a failed check can see a soldier flee or freeze in fear. Furthermore, they are typically excellent in a brawl, excelling in close-quarters fighting where their strength and traditional weapons shine. A Highlander is often armed not only with a musket, but also a formidable weapon like a heavy claymore or a Lochaber axe, making them the ideal choice for anchoring a battle line or charging headlong to dispatch a monster that has closed the distance.
On the tabletop, the identity of the Highlander is immediately recognizable through the distinctive uniform of the Highland regiments, most notably the kilt. Players constructing their Silver Bayonet units often customize these models—sourced from historical ranges like Victrix or Perry Miniatures—to represent their unique battlefield experience.
This customization can include painting specific regimental tartans or adding accoutrements such as bags of salt or cold-iron shot, reflecting the anti-supernatural gear their character has acquired. While other nations may field champions or berserkers, the Highlander provides the British unit with a disciplined, yet ferocious, man-for-man fighter who serves as the sturdy backbone for any monster-hunting expedition.
Tomorrow a Veteran Hunter