Hand Cannoneer

The Hand Cannoneer is a ranged infantry unit in Age of Empires II with a powerful attack, but low hit points and low accuracy at range. Chemistry must be researched before they become available to the player. Both the Janissary and Conquistador are unique Hand Cannoneers but are much stronger in their own way (Conquistadors are tougher and faster while Janissaries have more range and more attack against non-infantry units). They are available to the Byzantines, Franks, Goths, Indians, Italians, Japanese, Koreans, Persians, Saracens, Spanish, Teutons and Turks.

Tactics
Hand Cannoneers have a powerful attack but have a slow firing rate, and their shots fly off in random directions (within radial proximity to the vector leading to their target), so their accuracy at long range is poor. They have a bonus against infantry, and their accuracy is less of a problem against the larger cavalry, making them deadly at close range. If maneuvered properly, Hand Cannoneers may also take down siege weapons with great efficiency.

Hand Cannoneers are considered to be Archers (even though they use firearms), so Skirmishers, Knights and Huskarls can take them down quickly. Being foot units, they are also vulnerable to Mangonels and Scorpions, and they perform poorly against Towers and Castles. The Condottiero in The Forgotten expansion can also take down Hand Cannoneers quickly.

Civilizations bonuses

 * Spanish Blacksmith upgrades for Hand Cannoneers don't cost gold. Hand Cannoneers fires 15% faster.
 * Turks Hand Cannoneers have 25% more HP, gunpowder technologies cost -50%, Chemistry is free.
 * Italians: Hand Cannoneers are 15% cheaper.

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Britons: produce Hand Cannoneers 20% faster.
 * A team containing Teutons: Hand Cannoneers are more resistant to conversion.
 * A team containing Saracens: Hand Cannoneers +1 attack vs buildings.
 * A team Containing Turks: Hand Cannoneers are created 20% faster.
 * A team containing Magyars: Hand Cannoneers have +2 LoS.

The Conquerors Changes

 * Hand Cannoneers are available immediately after researching Chemistry.
 * Hand Cannoneers gain +2 bonus damage against Infantry (for a total of +10) and +1 extra bonus against Spearmen (for a total of +11).

History
"Following the development of cannons, small hand-operated gunpowder weapons began appearing in Europe in the fourteenth century. These early firearms were small iron tubes mounted on a wooden stock. They were inaccurate and slow to load. In the early fifteenth century the hand cannon was made smaller, the stock was redesigned so it could be held against the chest, and a mechanism was added for inserting the slow-burning match into the chamber. This weapon was effective only in volleys at close range. In the middle of the fifteenth century the first recognizably modern firearm, the arquebus, was developed. This employed a wheel lock to bring the slow match in contact with a powder pan connected by a tube to the chamber. Lead and cast iron balls fired from the arquebus were lethal. Firearms of the Middle Ages had an inferior range and rate of fire in comparison to the best bows and crossbows. Firearms improved gradually, however, and became more and more popular, despite their high cost. They became status symbols. Important lords engaged in an arms race, attempting to field more firearms of more modern design than their competitors."