Throwing Axeman (Age of Empires II)

"Frankish unique unit. Infantry with ranged attack."

- Age of Empires II description

The Throwing Axeman is the unique unit of the Franks in Age of Empires II. It is an infantry unit with a ranged melee attack.

Throwing Axemen can be upgraded to Elite Throwing Axemen in the Imperial Age.

Tactics
The Throwing Axeman deal melee damage at range. That can be very useful, especially in dealing with most traditional anti-archer units (most prominently Skirmishers with high piercing armor. Also, since Throwing Axemen have an attack bonus against buildings, so they can be used in large mobs as a practical alternative to siege machines.

Throwing Axemen can destroy Rams quickly, without having to compromise defenses by opening Gates. They deal high damage for a ranged unit, particularly against buildings, and can take more hits than the average archer. However, their inferior range means that Throwing Axemen are vulnerable against melee units, siege weapons, and hit-and-run tactics employed by archers.

Further Statistics
As Throwing Axemen are unique to the Franks, only technologies that are available to them are shown in the following table:

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Berbers: With Kasbah researched, Throwing Axemen are created and upgraded 25% faster, and Conscription and Bearded Axe are researched 25% faster.
 * A team containing Goths: Researching Tracking, Squires, and Arson is 20% faster.
 * A team containing Teutons: Throwing Axemen are more resistant to conversion.

The Age of Kings

 * Throwing Axemen have 50 (60 for Elite) HP.
 * Throwing Axemen move at a speed of 0.9.
 * Non-Elite Throwing Axemen have a frame delay of 12.
 * The upgrade to Elite Throwing Axeman costs 1,000F/850G.

The Conquerors

 * Heresy introduced.
 * Franks: Bearded Axe introduced.

The Forgotten

 * Non-Elite Throwing Axemen have a frame delay of 10.
 * The upgrade to Elite Throwing Axeman now costs 1,000F/750G.
 * Franks: Get Squires.

The African Kingdoms

 * Throwing Axemen now move at a speed of 1.
 * Arson introduced.
 * With patch 4.8, Throwing Axemen now have 60 (70 for Elite) HP.

Trivia

 * The throwing axe was not used by the Franks in the time of Saladin, Barbarossa, and Joan of Arc.
 * In reality, the francisca was so named because it was used by the Franks (whose name means "spear," cognate with Church Slavonic  prǫžь, "pole"), not the other way around (source: "The term 'francisca' first appeared in the book Etymologiarum sive originum, libri XVIII by Isidore of Seville (c. 560–636) as a name used in Hispania to refer to these weapons because of their use by the Franks".).
 * In real-life, the francisca has only one blade, is much smaller, & lighter: its average length is 17 inches and weighs about 1.3 lb.

History
''The Franks took their name from the axe that was their preferred weapon in ancient times. They continued to use the axe into the Dark Ages and their warriors were especially noted for their ability to throw this axe in battle. The axe was well balanced and could be hurled a good distance by a strong man. Franks carried several axes into battle, holding on to one for hand-to-hand combat. As they advanced they could pick up axes thrown previously to replenish their supply of missiles. Throwing axemen were especially good against light troops wearing little armor. Carrying axes was also useful for dismantling fortifications.''