Rate of Fire

The Rate of Fire, or ROF. is the determinant of the speed at which a unit attacks. It is a measurement of time between two attacks. A unit with an ROF of 3 will attack every 3 seconds. The lower the Rate of Fire, the faster it attacks. Thus, a lower Rate of Fire is better.

Age of Empires II
Most units have a ROF of 2.0 or slightly less or more. Units with heavy attack, including siege weapons, usually have a lower ROF, going from 3.49 for a Hand Cannoneer up to 10 for a Trebuchet. The following different values for ROF are also possible for militairy units:

-1.7 (Elite Cataphract)

-1.8 (Cataphract, (Elite) Magyar Huszar, Knight/Cavalier)

-1.9 (Condottiero, Hussar, (Elite) Samurai (without civilization bonus), Paladin)

- 3.0 (Elite Skirmisher)

-3.49 (Hand Cannoneer)

-6.0 (Mangonel)

Japanese Infantry have a 25% higher ROF due to their civilization bonus.

Age of Empires III
Most ranged units, such as Musketeers, have a ROF of 3 for their ranged attacks. All ranged cavalry with bows, such as the Bow Rider and Cavalry Archer have an ROF of 1.5. All melee attacks have an ROF of 1.5, and cannons ROF are normally in the ballpark of 4-6, but not always. The Chinese Flamethrower is a very special case, having an ROF of 0.5.