Capabilities

Capabilities are a core aspect of the Pike & Shot combat system, and the main source

Explanation
Mechanically speaking, Capabilities are conditional POA bonuses usually but not always granted by the type of weapons troops in a unit possess. They are the largest and most common source of POA in the game, and a key element of gameplay and strategy is understanding how these Capbilities interact with terrain and other Capabilities.

Capabilities

 * Swordsmen:
 * Impact: None
 * Melee: +100 against mounted, +100 against foot unless they are steady and protected, +15 for lapping around smaller units.
 * Analysis: Swordsmen is very limited, given that its has no impact capabilities and its melee capabilities against infantry are negated if the enemy is protected by the presence of spearmen, Spearmen already being a common capability in Sengoku Jidai with protected infantry all-but-universal in Pike & Shot.

The +100 bonus against cavalry is unconditional, but this is hampered by the fact that many Swordsmen-capable units are Medium Foot or Warriors, which are especially vulnerable to cavalry, as well as the fact that infantry generally can't charge cavalry. However, the fact that the Swordsmen bonus against cavalry isn't affected by being disorder or morale actually makes them better counters against cavalry in forests and rough terrain.