Far Cry Wiki
Advertisement
Far Cry Wiki

This article appeared in Far Cry 4

« Selfless citizens with hearts that love peace, and minds fixed on the glory of Kyrat. The cruel and bloodthirsty Golden Path forced them to take up arms against their countrymen and women. Join today and do your part for Kyrat. »

- King Min's Kyrat

The Royal Army are the military forces of the Kingdom of Kyrat led by King Pagan Min stationed across Southern Kyrat. Made up of volunteered and conscripted Kyrati citizens loyal to Min, it is the dominant force in Southern Kyrat. The Royal Army acts as both the military and police force of Pagan's governors. They are mainly led by Paul De Pleur, who also serves as their chief interrogator. They also work with Dr. Noore Najjar in 'procuring' workers for opium and heroin production, as well as mining and prostitution.

Background[]

After Pagan Min betrayed the Royalists at the end of First Kyrati Civil War and seized the throne for himself in 1987, he established an army made of volunteered and conscripted native Kyrati citizens loyal to him in order to enforce his rule over the country. They quickly became embroiled in the Second Kyrati Civil War with the newly formed Golden Path shortly after the start of Pagan's regime. They are stationed primarily in southern Kyrat, while in northern Kyrat their role is fulfilled by the more elite and professional Royal Guard. In the past, the Royal Army used to operate all across Kyrat, but at some point, were transferred to the south while the Royal Guards took up the mantle of guarding the north.

The reason the Royal Army has been transferred out of northern Kyrat may have been to prevent them from launching a coup d'état against Pagan Min, as his old Triad gang members in Royal Guards have been serving him and Yuma Lau for decades, while the native soldiers of Kyrat might take advantage of their overwhelming numbers to turn against the foreigners who rule over their country. However, this is debatable, and their loyalty is seemingly unshakable. After Pagan Min is killed or flees the country, the Royal Army refuses to surrender, and will continue abusing civilians and fighting against the Golden Path across Kyrat.

If Ajay stays with Pagan Min right at the start of the game, the fate of the Army is unknown.

Equipment and Organization[]

Despite being the official armed forces of Kyrat, The Royal army is noticeably poorly equipped and trained. Their uniforms are little more than repurposed camo fatigue, damaged ballistic helmets or bandanas, and battered vests, often all clumsily held together by red duct tape. The disheveled appearance of most Royal Army soldiers implies that the bulk of the force is made up of older individuals, former criminals, and drug addicts. This is likely a result of Pagan Min favoring his Royal Guards over the army, with the majority of funding and equipment being distributed to them. Their paychecks are in cash, but several notes across Kyrat mention that Royal Army soldiers are also paid in drugs as supplemental payment, such as raw opium and heroin. One note revealed that drug addicts in Royal Army are not arrested nor send to rehabilitation, worse, they are still allowed to be soldiers and even being regularly rewarded with heroin rations, which can also be taken away if such soldier fails to complete his duties. Despite their lowly status and poor funding, Royal Army soldiers are fiercely loyal to Pagan Min's regime and will often express their loyalty during battles.

Tasks[]

The Royal Army more so exists to serve the self-proclaimed monarchy of Pagan Min and enforce his rules than actually protecting the country as they are supposed to. The Royal Army is tasked with maintaining control over Kyrat and destroying the Golden Path insurgency. In addition to stomping out insurgents, some of their other tasks include:

  • Hostage-taking and brutalizing civilians in order to pillage their food, resources, and money.
  • Controlling manual labor camps in order to produce weapons, ammunition, or poppies for heroin.
  • Looting temples of their artifacts and selling them on the black market.
  • Patrolling the roads of the Lowlands and Midlands in order to limit Golden Path activity wherever possible.
  • Gunrunning, selling tea, and purifying drugs in the Kyrati Lowlands under the direction of Paul ‘De Pleur’ Harmon, seen at the sites of the Rochan Brick factory storage and shipping.
  • Refining raw poppies into heroin, overseeing human trafficking, and both running and participating in Shanath Arena in the Kyrati Midlands under the direction of Dr Noore Najjar, seen at the Rochan Brick Factory and Shanath outposts.
  • Poaching animals likely for their meat and to sell their hides.
  • Guarding outposts, fortresses, checkpoints and other crucial locations.
  • Avenge the fallen outposts.

Types[]

The Royal Army is made up of several classes of infantry, with varying equipment and specializations. Below are the Royal Army types with all links to their pages and quick review tabs.

« I'm honestly not sure what's worse - their accuracy, or military training. These guys have no equipment, so it's like shooting dummies, but the dummies can shoot back. Their accuracy is so bad though, I'm honestly wondering if someone broke all their guns into pieces, bashed the barrels out of alignment, then put it back together. Their fault. »

Unknown player


Assaulters are standard Royal Army members. They are ill disciplined, relying on bravado, teamwork and constant gunfire to succeed. They are often found patrolling the roads of Kyrat and performing tasks for De Pleur and Noore.


Strategic Data

  • Royal Army assaulters use numbers and constant fire to wear players down.
  • They lack armour and typically use aggressive flanking maneuvers, sometimes without regards to cover.
  • Typically armed with AK-47s, they work in small squads usually working with Defenders, Beserkers or Beheaders.
  • They use 1911 pistols while in vehicles, and have surprisingly good accuracy.

« It’s all about the teamwork with the Royal Army. Part of the reason those idiots are so effective is because of these guys - they rally and provide orders for their squad. If you take them out, a lot of other cogs in the machine no longer connect. »

Unknown Player


Assaulter Commanders are the leaders of their squads, typically chosen for their ability to rally and inspire other troops. Many of them have a taste for fighting, and have superior training to their squad.


Strategic Data

  • Royal Army commanders are important, high-ranking members found commanding small squads.
  • They possess better accuracy and training than Assaulters, but have the same health.
  • Note - they are extremely rare, and only usually appear in an Eye for an Eye or Assassinations, as well as some missions.

« I know that this civil war has taken a toll on everyone, but how crazy do you have to be to use knives… and then charge into battle against people with guns? These guys will never learn. Take them out on sight. »

Unknown player


Beheaders are sadistic and unstable psychopaths that use knives and kukris in battle. Many are heavy drug users, and are often found in Southern Kyrat. Most have a short life expectancy and want to kill as many enemies as possible before they die.


Strategic Data

  • Beheaders are rush troops that disregard using cover and any sort of armour in order for a clear attack to be made.
  • Killed fairly easily, but can easily heavily wound or kill, especially if they catch the player off guard.
  • Common units that are found throughout Southern Kyrat, but are not to be underestimated.
  • This unit is unique to the Royal Army, and does not have an equivalent in the Royal Guard.

« These guys may be written off as hopeless cases, but that's not to say they aren't dangerous. I've seen a pack of these guys fight. Just throw them into the arena and be done with it, because if these guys are supposed to be soldiers, then they're bloody idiots. »

Unknown Player


Beserkers are aggressive and violent attackers. They fight for honour and want to die as heroes. Many of them fight in Shanath arena, or practise their skills on wild animals.


Strategic Data

  • Beserkers are short range units that attempt to chase Ajay down and do incredible damage at close range.
  • Typically, they throw smoke grenades to block sightlines from snipers to prevent kills.
  • If possible take them out from range as they are extremely fast and not to be underestimated in early-to-mid game.

« I thought these guys would've had better training than some of their comrades -they're more accurate, and are less likely to accidentally shoot their allies. I'm guessing either Min or De Pleur is a miser when it comes to money, because their vests might stop bullets, but so might duct tape if you're lucky. »

Unknown player


Defenders are more seasoned troopers, promoted because of their age and experience. Many dislike fighting, and hold more respect among the Royal Army.


Strategic Data

  • Defenders are more efficient troopers, known for their efficiency in battle.
  • They are equipped with better gear and training than assaulters, but are still easily killed.
  • They are vulnerable to headshots despite their helmets.

« Thankfully these guys are rare, because those rockets are 1 shots and sometimes you don’t even see them coming. Take these guys down fast, or it’ll be your vehicle that ends up a pile of junk. »

Unknown player


RPGs are reckless individuals who use RPGs in combat. Many dislike the assignment because the warheads sometimes explode without warning.


Strategic Data

  • RPGs are mid-range fighters that attempt to line up their RPG with players.
  • They are devastating, but are slow to line up their shots.
  • They may look like defenders, but have the same health as Assaulters.

« It’s said that the Kyrati Rupee is undervalued -  part of the problem is these guys. They use bullets like water- if Min and his governors aren’t careful, these guys will burn a hole right in their purses. »

Unknown player


Gunners are the walking tanks of the Royal Army. Many have previous firearms experience and are in charge of providing recruits with basic training. Many have extreme superiority complexes, causing risky decision making.


Strategic Data

  • Gunners are the walking tanks of the Royal Army.
  • Heavily armoured, they use constant gunfire to overwhelm opponents.
  • However, their helmets are not full face - they are unprotected at the back.
  • Prime target for a sniper shot or arrow kill.
  • If heavy beatdown is unlocked, they can be taken down.
  • They are extremely slow, so running away is not a bad idea if needed.
  • Try to gain an angle from above as if you do..
  • Ajay will automatically perform a takedown.

« These clowns are part of the reason the Golden Path has been pushed back so much. They love to slip in, sic a predator on anyone unlucky enough to be near them, then slip away. Maybe the Golden Path should’ve thought of that first - they are the experts in gureilla warfare. »

Unknown player


Hunters are nomadic units that are trained in wilderness fighting. They co-ordinate almost exclusively with other hunters, and shun civilisation in general.


Strategic Data

  • Royal Army members trained in wilderness combat that are common in the wilderness of southern Kyrat.
  • They use bows and arrows/fire arrows, kukris at close range, and can charm predators into fighting for them.
  • They can only be tagged for a short time using the camera (about 5 seconds).
  • They use bird chirps to communicate, making it much harder to pin down their location.
  • They CAN see you through foliage, so be careful.
  • However they CANNOT see through buildings (useful for outposts).
  • Despite their abilities, they are glass cannons - very weak and wear little armour, allowing for quick kills if undetected.

« I'm sorry, but which lunatic thought giving drunkards and stoners access to fuel supplies and fire was ever going to end well? I once was fighting a whole group of these guys near Varshakot, and one threw a molotov at an elephant. Worst. Decision. Ever. »

Unknown Player


Throwers are erratic and unreliable fighters who use Molotovs in combat. Many are drug users or drunkards, and usually end up setting their allies on fire.


Strategic Data

  • Molotov Throwers are throwers who use Molotovs to flush players out of cover.
  • They may seem drunk, but are alert, so don’t be fooled.
  • Shooting their Molotovs on their chest will cause them and the entire area around them to be set on fire, allowing for crowd control.
  • They have pistols but almost never use them.

« These guys aren’t as quick to fire as Royal Guard Snipers, but they’re still masters at what they do. Take them out before they see you, or you’re screwed. »

Unknown player


Snipers are the Royal Army lookouts and support fighters. Many are picked due to their good eyesight and reflexes, and many moonlight as hunters for the army.


Strategic Data

  • Royal Guard Snipers are long range fighters who use SVDs to whittle down enemy combatants.
  • Often seen as lookouts, they are much more perceptive than other Royal Army members.
  • Not powerless up close, stealth is the advised course of action for these enemies.

« As much as I hate to admit it, Paul and Yuma train their soldiers well. These guys train in the Himalayas, and usually appear on archaeological digs. Not guys you wanna mess with if you know what’s good for you. »

Unknown player


Royal Army/Royal Guard Snow troops are troopers trained in snow warfare. Most consider it to be a punishment detail and one-up each other to try and get out of it.


Strategic Data

  • Snow troops are troops trained in snow warfare.
  • Most can be told apart by their weapons.
  • Officers have red and gold emblazoned parkas instead of the standard snow versions.


Ranks[]

  • Commander
  • Lieutenant
  • Sergeant
  • Corporal
  • Private

Trivia[]

  • The Army has an Elite Variant of the Assaulter (Commander), Defender (Lieutenant), Sniper (Courier), and the Heavy. (Commander)
  • The regular Heavy Gunner can sometimes be spotted on the back of Royal Army Technicals.
  • The Royal Army can be compared to the Pirates from Far Cry 3, by their weapon types and similar combat tactics.
  • Unlike the Pirates who cannot swim and will drown if fall into water, Royal Army soldiers can easily swim to safety and even capable of withstanding Demon Fish attacks on the way.
  • A lot of soldiers use heroin and marijuana, as the Pirates.
  • In contrast to the Royal Guard, many members of the Royal Army can seem quite old, with grey hair and beards.
  • Royal Army is comprised of Kyrati citizens, unlike the foreign Royal Guard. This also makes civilians say that they respect the Royal Army more than the Royal Guards.
  • Royal Army Hunters are the most notorious in their community.
  • Many soldiers show a distaste for fighting, unlike the more elite Royal Guard. Some even say they considered joining the Golden Path or leaving the army entirely and as the game progresses it becomes evident that many have deserted or switched sides.
  • While Kyrat as of 2014 was guarded by Royal Army in the south and Royal Guards in the north, according to Royal Army soldiers, in the past the Royal Army used to guard entire Kyrat alongside Royal Guards.
  • The reason they are sent out of northern Kyrat might be to prevent them from launching a coup d'etat against Pagan Min, as his old Triad gang members in Royal Guards have been serving him and Yuma Lau for decades, while the native soldiers of Kyrat might take advantage of their overwhelming presence to turn against foreigners who rule over their country.
  • Their uniforms are both old Indian army uniforms and old Chinese PLA uniforms, dyed with different colors. Letters in Chinese and Hindi are still visible on their uniforms.
  • In spite of Pagan Min regime harsh policies on religion, Royal Army soldiers still can be seen praying to/for Pagan Min at random religious sites, such as repeatedly chanting "Glory to Pagan Min" nonstop if not being disrupted.
  • In the early version, the Royal Army had to wear blue clothes.

Quotes[]

Royal Army/Quotes

Gallery[]

Advertisement