Sweden

During the Thirty Years' War, the Swedish army was one of the strongest in the whole of Europe. Perfectly organized regular troops performed brilliant military actions. Upon gaining rich financial support from France, they successfully invaded German territory. The most noted name of that period is that of the great military reformer, Gustaf Adolf. He reorganized cavalry and infantry. Cavalry now paid less attention to shooting and more to horse riding. Infantry regiments were diminished in number in order to make them more mobile. As a result, the Swedish army defeated the Denmark and the kingdom of Norway. The Swedish army invaded Poland, which was exhausted by its long struggle against Russia, and took the capital Warsaw. In 1699, a coalition against Sweden was created by Russia, Saxony, Denmark and Poland. This led to Sweden's during the Northern War.

Unique units - Swedish Rider, Pikeman, 18th century