Editing Crusaders (section)

==Backgrounds==

Resembling Medieval knights, the Crusaders are equipped with [[rocket hammer]]s and [[barrier shield]]s; the latter of which are used to provide cover for soldiers and advance under fire.<ref name = "HonorGlory">''[[Honor and Glory]]''</ref><ref>''[[The Last Bastion]]''</ref> While technically a unit within the Germany military, the Crusaders' code of conduct differs from that of a standard military organization. Crusaders accord themselves to a strict code of conduct that places chivalry, honor, and dedication to service above all else. Each Crusader must recite ''[[The Crusader's Oath]]'' before being viewed as a true Crusader themselves.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

High-ranked Crusaders are given more ornate sets of armor, rendering them more easily identified on the battlefield.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

===History===

====Origins====
The Crusader Initiative has its roots in the decade prior to the [[Omnic Crisis]]. [[Robo-Tauchanzug|Deep-sea exoskeletons]] designed by [[Leon Honisch]] caught the attention of Major [[Greta Klein]] of the [[German Armed Forces]]. At the time, growing instability in Europe had [[Germany]] looking to improve its national security. Honisch's design for deep-sea suits seemed, to Klein, like next-generation defensive technology. Klein was able to recruit Honisch into the nascent Crusader Initiative, along with another scientist, [[Emilia Fischer]].<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

The program's name belied its focus on defense. Klein turned Honisch's expertise on crafting [[Crusader armor|specialized armor]] that could both withstand heavy artillery fire and dig out from destructive battles. [[Hard-light]] shields developed by Fisher were added to the suits, allowing portable protection for Crusaders and their supporting detachments.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

As the project continued however, Honisch and Fisher's views differed. Honisch argued that given the events of the 20th century, a fully militarized Germany would still be a terrible specter in the eyes of the world. Fischer's counter (and that of the military) was that Germany still had to defend itself should the need arise. Of note, from its inception, the Crusader Initiative was heavily propagandized, to sell the idea to the public that the Crusaders were a deterrent against regional aggression rather than a viable military force.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

As developed continued, the two found a compromise, and the Crusader armor was restyled in the image of medieval knights. Focus was given to defense, with the Crusaders' barrier shields becoming their main selling point. Many early proposals for Crusader weaponry were scrapped due to practical reasons, given the weight the wearers of Crusader armor had to bear.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

====Early Service====
Now an official unit, the Crusaders began to think of themselves in the chivalric context their unit harkened back to, diverging from standard military operating procedure.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> 

The Crusaders took part in parades, ceremonies, and civilian events. They only took part in a handful of missions, with the protection of infantry troops serving as their prime directive.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

====The Omnic Crisis====
[[File:Crusader-declassified.jpg|thumb|Crusaders in battle]]
When the [[Omnic Crisis]] began, the Crusaders were deployed in battle, and became the anchor of all German military operations. To meet the need for new Crusdaers, Germany allowed any member of its military to join them, provided they could master the equipment. Recruitment centers were set up and applicants surged from all walks of life. So many people wanted to be a Crusader, almost three days were lost in setting up a clerical pool. Once outfitted however, the Crusaders rapidly became a viable fighting force.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

Despite this, [[Anubis]]'s forces still outnumbered Germany's military 10:1. Straying from their purely defensive role, the Crusaders were given [[rocket hammer]]s and axes, and their suits were retrofitted with thrusters, allowing them to charge into battle if needed. As months passed, the mere presence of a Crusader unit boosted morale more than any number of victories. People saw the Crusaders as a sign that humanity was fighting back, and still had a chance of winning. The Crusaders successfully held the line across Europe's eastern front.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

[[File:Battle of Eichenwalde 2.jpg|thumb|Crusaders at Eichenwalde]]
The Crusaders suffered a blow in the [[Battle of Eichenwalde]].<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> The town of [[Eichenwalde]] had come under attack by omnic forces,<ref name = "PatchNotes"/> and all active-duty Crusaders were called to the town's defense.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> General [[Balderich von Adler]] took a handful of Crusaders to the village in an effort to outflank the omnic army. Balderich's soldiers were able to break down the enemy forces, giving the German military an opportunity to push back, but Lieutenant Reinhardt Wilhelm was the only Crusader to make it out of the battle.<ref name = "PatchNotes">2016-09-01, [http://us.battle.net/forums/en/overwatch/topic/20749104703?page=1#post-2 Overwatch Patch Notes – September 1, 2016: Patch Highlights], ''Battle.net Forums''. Accessed on 2016-09-01.</ref><ref>2016-08-16, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3xFKckFCGM Eichenwalde | New Map Preview | Overwatch]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2016-08-17</ref> While the battle was technically a German victory, many veteran Crusaders had been killed, along with 70% of the troopers they'd been assigned to protect.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

Later in the war, the Crusaders took part in the [[Siege of Leipzig]].<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/>

====Recent History====
The Crusaders remained active after the end of the Omnic Crisis.<ref name = "OverwatchDeclassified"/> Their current armor design was created by [[Torbjörn Lindholm]].<ref name = "BrigitteOW2">[https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/brigitte/ Brigitte (OW2)]. ''PlayOverwatch'', accessed on 2022-12-12</ref>