Composite Bowman

Composite Bowman is a unit in Age of Empires. It is an upgrade of the Improved Bowman. It is the strongest unit that can be trained at the Archery Range. Many consider the Composite bowman as the bronze ages most cost effective unit, as they only require half the resources of a chariot archer. The only civilization bonus they can benefit from is the Minoans, (+2 range). This bonus is often overlooked, as it is in fact one of the best bonuses in the game, not only does it enable the compies to strike before other archers, but also out-range towers. The Minoans can also continue to use them effectively up until the Iron Age.

Game Info and Tactics
The Composite Bowman is generally more useful than the Improved Bowman. Civilizations that can train the Improved Bowman usually have the ability to upgrade them to a Composite Bowman. Because of this, Improved Bowman never really makes its full appearance in a random game. Boasting better overall stats, the Composite Bowman is an excellent ranged choice due to its cost. Mass produce them, add additional range bonuses and throw in some Chariot Archers and you'll have an unstoppable Bronze Age missile company. However, watch out for Stone Throwers and the like, as one stone from them can massacre a lot of these guys at once.

Putting "DARK RAIN" in the chat box will upgrade you build-able bowman to stealth archers, and when they stand still, they become trees. The player cannot direct their fire at a particular unit which can make them a disadvantage. Although they can't board ships, they can do something far better, walk on water!

Bronze Age

 * Scale Armor: for archers increases armour by 2.
 * Artisanship: increases range by 1.

Iron Age

 * Alchemy: increases attack by 1.
 * Ballistics: increases accuracy.
 * Chain Mail: for archers increases armour by 2.
 * Craftsmanship: increases range by 1.

Civilization Bonus

 * Improved Bowman is not available for Assyrians, Carthaginians, Choson, Greeks, Hittites, Romans and Sumerians.