Talk:Elephant Archer (Age of Empires II)/@comment-27810937-20160223171418

I think Elephant Archer isn't that bad. They should be treated as slower but tougher version of War Wagon. Sure, they have a lot of counters, so EA need some kind of meat shield to prevent their counter from reaching them (or reduce their HP significantly before they break through). If the opponent use ranged attack to slay EA, this is where EA shines. Their high HP & high pierce armor allow them to take a lot of hits. Castle arrows, Onagers, Bombards, all have hard time to kill even just one EA.

Alternatively, EA can be used as front liner when combined with Hand Cannoners. EA deal the first hit with their ranged attack. And if enemy units get close, HC kill them while EA use their high HP & large size to cover HC. In enough number, an army consisted of EA + HC + Bombard Cannons (plus few Camels if you need some speed) is very difficult to stop. But you need very very good economy to make it works.

What baffles me is since EA technically is a cavalry archer, why EA cost food-gold instead of wood-gold? This in turn makes combining them with Camels / HC become more difficult, because of the huge amount of food & gold needed. Especially when you also need food & gold for some vital upgrades in later ages.