Cossack

The Cossack is a Russian cavalry unit featured in Age of Empires III and is available at the Stable once the Colonial Age is reached.

Overview
The Cossack functions as the Russian version of the Hussar. Although they are somewhat weaker than Hussars, they are cheaper, faster and only occupy one slot of population. This means that they can be produced in large numbers compared to most other cavalry, which take up two slots of population and good as raiding cavalry. With the proper cards and upgrades, an almost colossal army of Cossacks can be used to overwhelm opponents. An effective method of using them is to raid enemy Settlers and as a counter to enemy hand cavalry, as they can defeat even some of the best heavy cavalry when fully upgraded, due to their massive numbers. Only a mass of heavy infantry or ranged cavalry such as bow riders or cavalry archers can stand up against them. They are also very efficient if used against Light Infantry and Artillery.

When training Cossacks it is a good idea to train a complementary unit, preferably one with range, than can soften up enemy units before the Cossacks get close. Strelets and/or Cavalry Archers can be used with Cossacks to counter heavy infantry and other cavalry, and to assist in the destruction of buildings, a Russian player can mix in some Oprichniks.

Upgrades
The Cossack can be upgraded to higher levels after the Colonial Age. They can be upgraded to Veteran, Guard or Imperial levels at the Stable depending on what age the player is in. Once Fortress Age is reached, the player can research Cavalry Cuirass from the Arsenal.

Veteran Cossacks
Veteran Cossacks are slighly better than ordinary Cossacks with higher hit points and better attack. Veteran Cossacks have the lowest rank but are the first major upgrade. They are available for and  at the Stable once Fortress Age is reached.


 * Hit Points:  270
 * Siege Attack:  18
 * Hand Attack:  31

Guard Cossack
Guard Cossacks are better than Veteran Cossacks in terms of hit points and the amount of damage they inflict. The upgrade is available at the Stable for and  once Industrial Age is reached.


 * Hit Points:  337
 * Siege Attack:  22
 * Hand Attack:  39

Imperial Cossack
The Imperial Cossack is the final and strongest form of the Cossack and is the successor of the Guard Cossack. Imperial Cossacks have double the amount of hit points and deals double the damage compared to an ordinary Cossack. The upgrade is available at the Stable for and  once the Imperial Age is reached.


 * Hit Points:  450
 * Siege Attack:  30
 * Hand Attack:  52

Shipments
This is a list of shipments that benefit Cossacks in any way.

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%; margin-bottom:0px; margin-top:1px;" ! sab="1148"| Click for a list of Cossack related home city cards
 * - sab="1147"
 * - sab="1149"
 * sab="1150"|

Russians

 * }

History
"The Cossacks fled a life of poverty and serfdom in Moscow to settle as a free people on the frontiers of Imperial Russia, where they became legendary and feared horsemen. Every man rode and fought; the Cossacks did not have an army, they were an army. The Russian government understood the value of having these very territorial, independent warriors as a buffer to invasion and established an alliance with them, giving the Cossacks land and property. The Cossacks wore furred caps, long overcoats, loose trousers, and tall boots. They carried lances, sabers, short pikes, and muskets."