Unit Types

Units in Hyrule: Total War are divided into 17 types: 5 Fundamental, 7 Augmented, and 5 Specialised. Every unit in the game is one of the five Fundamental unit types. Some units may have an Augmented unit type and/or a Specialised unit type in addition to their Fundamental unit type. Unit types are indicated by icons at the left side of the unit portrait.

For a list showing which unit belongs to which type(s), go here.

Fundamental Unit Types
Every unit in the game belong to one of these five categories. These unit types dictates how a unit behaves on the battlefield, usually by its method of attack or movement.

Melee
These units are straightforward and use a variety of weapons in close combat. Melee units usually are best used as cannon fodder or support to surround better units with. Melee units have no passive attack bonus against any type of unit.

Melee units have an icon of a Sword on their unit cards.

Ranged
These units use some form of ranged weaponry to attack enemy soldiers from varying distances. Ranged units have a passive attack bonus against Flying units, but suffer a penalty when being attacked by Cavalry units.

Ranged units have an icon of a Bow and Arrow on their unit cards.

Polearm
These units are armed with a weapon that otherwise exceeds their normal reach such as spears, pitchforks, or javelins. All Polearm units have a passive attack bonus against Cavalry and Boss units, and are best used against them.

Polearm units have an icon of a Halberd on their unit cards.

Support
These units usually are not trained to fight in combat, but rather provide a bonus or penalty to units around them. These bonuses can include everything from healing friendly units to scaring away enemy units. Support units have no passive attack bonus against any other unit type.

Support units have an icon of a Cross on their unit cards.

Flying
These units are able to fly in the air and travel across a map with ease. Shapes and sizes of flying units are varied, though most are usually small and fast. Flying units have a passive combat bonus against Melee units, but suffer a penalty when being attacked by Ranged units.

Flying units have an icon of a Bird on their unit cards.

Augmented Unit Types
Units of these types are also one type of Fundamental unit in addition to their unit type. These unit types usually reflect additional equipment or composition of a unit.

Cavalry
These units are usually domesticated beasts with riders on top, though that is not always the case. Cavalry can be both melee or ranged in addition to this unit type and can also trample over any unit smaller then them. All Cavalry units have a passive attack bonus against Melee and Ranged units, but suffer a penalty when attacked by Polearm units.

Cavalry units have an icon of a Horse Head on their unit cards.

Heavily Armoured
These units are usually outfitted with excessive suits or armour, shields, or are otherwise naturally resistant to damage. They are usually very slow in both movement and attack but can hold out against superior numbers. Heavily Armoured units have no passive combat bonus against other unit types, but suffer a penalty when being attacked by Magic or Construct unit types.

Heavily Armoured units have an icon of a Shield on their unit cards.

Recon
These units are trained to scout out maps and locate enemy forces. While not necessarily good in combat, recon units are usually extremely fast for their size (sometimes almost as fast as cavalry) and can move very quickly, making them ideal for flanking and attacking from behind. Many Recon units are also able to hide and blend in the environment, making it hard for enemies to see them from far away. Recon units have no passive attack bonus against any other unit type.

Recon units have an icon of a Boot on their unit cards.

Magic
These units attack or augment their weaponry with some form of mystical, spiritual, or technological ability. Magic Units are usually also Ranged units, though they can be any other type of unit in the game. Magic units have a passive combat bonus against Heavily Armoured units.

Magic units have an icon of Sparkles on their unit card.

Construct
These units are artificial constructs created by magical or technological means. They are usually fairly large and are most of the time Melee units. Constructs are usually lifeless, and virtually all of them are immune to fear and will not retreat in combat. Constructs have a passive attack bonus against Heavily Armoured and Siege units.

Construct units have an icon of Layered Bricks on their unit cards.

Fortification
These units are designed to secure and hold a location on a map, and are usually stationary and deployed before combat begins, though this is not always the case. Fortifications are usually manned by Crew or Ranged units, and inherit any bonuses those types of units have. Fortifications have no passive combat bonuses against any unit types, but suffer a penalty when being attacked by Siege unit types.

Fortifications have an icon of a Barrier with Lodged Arrows on their unit cards.

Siege
These units are designed to destroy fortifications or otherwise durable defences and units. Usually they are mechanical and operated by crew, though this is not always the case. Siege units have a passive combat bonus against Structures, Fortifications, and other Siege units.

Siege units have an icon of a Cracked Wall on their unit cards.

Specialised Unit Types
Units of these types are also one type of Fundamental unit in addition to their unit type, and may also be Augmented units. These unit types reflect developed skills and abilities or otherwise immaterial features of a unit.

Crew
These units are trained to operate equipment such as siege weapons. Crew can be any other type of unit in addition to being Crew. Crew have a passive attack bonus against Siege units and can even take control of enemy Siege units that have been abandoned.

Crew have an icon of a Spanner on their unit cards.

Command
These units are trained to maintain order and discipline amongst other soldiers and are headed by a well trained commanding officer. Command units grant every unit in your army a particular bonus ranging from increased combat effectiveness to decreased chance of retreating. Command units are most of the time Melee units. Command units themselves usually are fearless and will never retreat from battle, though this is not always the case.

Command units have an icon of a Crown on their unit cards.

Hero
These units are one of a kind and usually unique characters. They can be any other type of unit in addition to being a Hero. Heroes are widely varied and inherit the bonuses that their additional unit type has.

Hero units have an icon of the Triforce on their unit cards.

Boss
These units operate by themselves and are usually massive in size, though some are notably small. They are usually extremely powerful and can fight off entire armies on their own in some situations. Boss units can also be any other other type of unit in addition being a boss, though most are either Melee or Ranged units. Most Boss units cause other units to run in fear, and large enough Boss units can trample over smaller units with ease. All boss units are considered Hero units, since they are one of a kind and unique.

Boss units have an icon of a Skull on their unit cards.

Special
These units can only be obtained during special events or situations, such as completing an important event successfully or taking control of a Historical Temple. Special units can additionally be any other type of unit in the game.

Special Units have an icon of a Ruin on their unit cards.