Genoese Crossbowman

The Genoese Crossbowman is the Italians' unique unit in Age of Empires II: The Forgotten.

Overview
Genoese Crossbowmen is a crossbow-wielding unit that have an attack bonus vs cavalry and as such can prove to be a great defense against enemy Knights, but not against Cataphracts as those have a high amount of bonus defense.

The Genoese Crossbowmen is a well-rounded unit as it lacks and even counters the main weakness of most archers, cavalry. They are good against cavalry and Infantry alike and can also defeat some weak archers. However, they are still vulnerable to siege weapons and Skirmishers. They also have somewhat low hit points, making them vulnerable to any unit that can get close enough in time. Because of their low health, they must be guarded with some good hand units to take care of anything that gets too close.

Design
In the mod version, Age of Empires II: The Forgotten Empires, the Genoese Crossbowman uses a modified Hand Cannoneer texture. In the retail version, Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten however, the Genoese Crossbowman receives a new texture as a crossbowman carrying a shield.