Gunpowder unit

Gunpowder Units are a branch of ranged units in the later games of the Age of Empires series which utilizes gunpowder and chemicals as projectiles instead of using traditional bow like weaponry. In Age of Empires II, they serve as powerful ranged units available only in the later stages of the game. In Age of Empires III, Ensemble Studios expanded the role of Gunpowder Units to every ranged unit in the game with the exception of several units.

Age of Empires II
The Gunpowder Units are a powerful group of units on Age of Empires II available in the Imperial Age. In order to create any of the non-Unique Unit Gunpowder Units, the technology "Chemistry" must have been researched from the University.

Despite being gunpowder units, Janissaries, Conquistadors, and Turtle Ships can be made in the Castle Age without the "Chemistry" technology.

The Gunpowder Units are a set of powerful Siege Weapons among other siege-like units. The full list is here:


 * 1) Hand Cannoneer (available from the Archery Range)
 * 2) Cannon Galleon and Elite Cannon Galleon (available from the Dock)
 * 3) Bombard Cannon (available from the Siege Workshop)
 * 4) Bombard Tower (building)
 * 5) Janissary (Turkish UU)
 * 6) Conquistador (Spanish UU)
 * 7) Turtle Ship (Korean UU)

Age of Empires III
In Age of Empires III the gunpowder Units are very common since the game is ambiented between the Age of discovery and the early Industrial Age. Arquebus, pistols and muskets in that period were standard weapons for the armies in that period, practically all civilizations in this game have at least one unit that uses a Gunpowder weapon only with the exception of the Aztecs.