The invention of gunpowder is to war what education is to social development. There is war before, and after gunpowder: there is war with swords, pikes and shields, and then there is war with guns, cannons and rockets. The quick-moving metal ball quickly renders medieval armor obsolete, and the sword-wielding soldier unable even to close with the enemy. Thus a new era in warfare is born. Development of gunpowder provides the next-generation foot soldier, the first gun-armed unit in the game - the Musketman.