To the untrained eye, there is little to distinguish the Gendarmes from Noble Knights who still form the core of any European heavy cavalry corps - they still carry the same weapons (lances, swords and axes) and the same armour. However, deep down there are two distinct differences: the Gendarmes continues the French tradition of fast-moving, hard-hitting heavy cavalry. Enhanced speed and more devastating attack means that French heavy cavalry can even be used to flank and even ride down dispersed infantry whereso needed. In the Imperial Era, this could be a godsend, especially against arquebus-heavy nations, since it would mean that Gendarmerie (like all unique cavalry units) can take down the offending gunners before suffering too much damage themselves.