Rook

The Rook is an Order infantry unit found in Voussoir, where it is commonly seen patrolling or holding fixed positions. It is also frequently deployed alongside other Order soldiers, especially Close-Quarters Combatants, and is one of the faction’s more dangerous melee specialists. The GATE compendium identifies it as an Opprimo unit, describing it as one of the most savage forms of Order infantry.

Rooks are built around close-quarters pressure. They normally keep a riot shield raised and only lower it to attack, making frontal damage difficult to land. Their standard weapon is a combat knife, and their tactics favor aggressive melee engagements rather than ranged fire. The compendium also notes that Opprimo units are often used for specialist operations and may disguise themselves as other paramilitaries during infiltration missions.

When defeated, a Rook can drop a Human Skull, Human Arm (Military), and pieces of Mountaineer armor, among other items. It can also drop a Riot Shield, Sensor, Military Electronics, a Cracked Shoulder Light, a Combat Knife, and, very rarely, a Military M.R.E. or Cloth Scrap. In addition, helmets only drop when the head is struck with a blunt or heavy weapon, or when they are shot off; the spear and knife do not work for that purpose. Helmets can be knocked off even after the Rook is dead.

In combat, the Rook is dangerous mainly because of its shield. The most reliable opening is to wait for it to shift the shield aside while preparing an attack, then land a strong hit first. It can also be damaged by shooting its exposed feet beneath the shield, but repeated shots will eventually force it to kneel and cover that weak point. Weapons that deal Holy damage ignore the shield entirely, making Lodestone Bolts and Lode Discs especially effective. Since the Rook only uses a combat knife, a shield paired with the Lodespear or Lodehammer can also work well, as their Holy flame can burn the enemy down quickly.

Several tools can bypass or undermine the shield even more directly. The Lightning Spear is particularly effective if its chain lightning is triggered near the Rook, since the effect will strike through the shield. High-damage weapons such as the Magbow can stagger it even while the shield is up, creating openings for follow-up attacks or coordinated team fire. In group fights, a single player using a Magbow can help expose the Rook repeatedly while others attack. Grenades are also useful, and the Thermite Molotov is especially strong for clearing multiple Order enemies at once.

• Rooks are commonly encountered with other Order units, so fighting them one at a time is safer.
• Their shield makes frontal pressure inefficient unless you force an opening.
• Holy damage and area effects are the cleanest ways to bypass their defense.
• Multiple Rooks can overwhelm an unprepared player very quickly.

The name Opprimo comes from Latin and can mean “I oppress,” as well as “overwhelm” or “overpower.”