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Basic overview

The Shaolin can train Rattan Shield units, and provide three unique technologies. They can improve the amount of hand damage that ranged infantry deal, improve your wood gathering rates, and they can also allow Rattan Shields to deal more damage. You can have 15 Rattan Shields for each Shaolin trading post you control, and they appear on three standard maps; Yellow River, Silk Road and Mongolia.

The unit – Rattan Shield

Rattan shields are light infantry units, similar to the Aztec Coyote runner and the Chinese Disciple.

Analysis

The Rattan shield has more HPs and ranged resistance than its Aztec counterpart, but everywhere else it is worse off. Keep in mind that this unit - like the Tiger claw - is lacking the Coyoteman class title, so it will take full damage from ranged infantry. That said, ranged cavalry does not get a bonus against it either, and of course heavy infantry units will still do bonus damage to these units. It is an average unit on its own but it really comes into play when it is upgraded.

Technology

Clenched Fists

Cost: 200 wood, 200 coin

Effect: Ranged infantry hand damage is increased by 25%

Comments: This technology may not be entirely clear on the full extent of what it does. It will boost the hand attack of units that most players would refer to as ranged infantry (Skirmishers/Crossbowman) - but it also boosts the hand attack of Musketeer-like units, which is why this technology is useful and not as useless as the title may make out. In short, if your civilization has access to Musketeer-like units, this technology will be very handy. Otherwise it is near useless, as you generally want to avoid getting your Skirmisher-like units getting into melee. 

Wood Clearing

Cost: 200 food, 200 coin

Effect: Wood is collected 20% faster

Comments: It is slightly cheaper than the European counterpart (Log Flume: 150 food, 250 coin), so it is definitely a good technology to get to help grow your economy. If you plan on building and supporting trade posts it might be better to get this sooner rather than later.

Dim Mark

Cost: 300 wood, 300 coin

Effect: Rattan Shields do 50% more damage

Comments: In age 2 this technology is particularly effective when upgrades are lacking, but it is strong at any period throughout the game. 50% is a rather large amount, and it more than makes up for the Rattans' slightly lower than average hand attack. This technology has the potential to make a significant impact on the battlefield, but of course it is expensive - so you need to be careful.

Summary

Rattan shields are very capable of replacing cavalry units in battle, but it is only with Dim Mark where they really start to become a significant factor on the battlefield; without it they are rather ordinary units. In addition, be mindful of the fact that ranged infantry will still deal full damage against Rattans, but aside from that you can use them like you would any other cavalry unit. The other technology can be useful, but it isn’t worth pursuing unless you intend on using the Rattan shields themselves.