This article is about the archer units in Age of Empires. For archers in other games of the series, see Archers. |
Archers in Age of Empires are one of the four combat forces on land, the other ones being infantry, cavalry, and siege weapons. Archers are ranged soldiers, either on foot or mounted.
General information
Apart from the Slinger (who is available at the Barracks), all archers are trained at the Archery Range.
Armor upgrades are available at the Storage Pit and range upgrades at the Market, whereas Alchemy and Ballistics are both researched at the Government Center, along with the Nobility technology, which affects (among others) ranged cavalry units.
List of archers
Archer | Building | A | HP | At | Ar | PA | R | ROF | LOS | Sp | F | W | G | S | TT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bowman | Archery Range | 35 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1.4 | 7 | 1.2 | 40 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 30 | |
Improved Bowman | Archery Range | 40 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1.4 | 8 | 1.2 | 40 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 30 | |
Composite Bowman | Archery Range | 45 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1.4 | 9 | 1.2 | 40 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 30 | |
Slinger | Barracks | 25 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1.5 | 5 | 1.2 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 24 | |
Chariot Archer | Archery Range | 70 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1.5 | 9 | 2 | 40 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 40 | |
File:Elephantarchericonaoe1.png Elephant Archer | Archery Range | 600 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1.5 | 8 | 0.9 | 180 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 50 | |
Horse Archer | Archery Range | 60 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1.5 | 9 | 2.2 | 50 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 40 | |
File:HHA1.gif Heavy Horse Archer | Archery Range | 90 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1.5 | 9 | 2.5 | 50 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 40 |
Technologies
Listed below are technologies that benefit archers. This list does not contain unit upgrades.
Technology | Researched at | Age | Civilizations | Effect |
Woodworking | Market | All | Increases range by +1 | |
Artisanship | Market | 15 | Increases range by +1 | |
Craftsmanship | Market | 12 | Increases range by +1 | |
Leather Armor Archers | Storage Pit | All | Increases armor by +2 | |
Scale Armor Archers | Storage Pit | All | Increases armor by +2 | |
Chain Mail Archers | Storage Pit | 12 | Increases armor by +2 | |
Alchemy | Government Center | 12 | Increases attack by +1 | |
Nobility | Government Center | 14 | Cavalry +15% hit points | |
Ballistics | Government Center | 14 | Increases accuracy |
Civilizations
- The Egyptians, Hittites, Minoans, and Yamato are the only civilizations to have available all technologies that benefit exclusively archer units, whereas the Persians are the only ones to have all available archer units.
- On the other hand, the Greeks, Minoans, and Romans lack all ranged cavalry lines.
- Civilizations with prominent archers include the Assyrians, Egyptians, Hittites, and Persians. The Minoans also boast the best foot archers, but lack all three ranged cavalry lines.
Civilization bonuses
- Assyrians : +25% Archery Range unit fire rate
- Egyptians: +33% Chariot Archer hit points
- Hittites: +1 Archery Range unit damage
- Minoans: +2 Composite Bowman range
- Persians: Elephant Archer move 25% faster
- Phoenicians: -25% Elephant Archer cost
- Yamato: -25% Horse Archer cost
Trivia
- All three civilizations that lack 3 out of 4 Archery Range unit lines are located in Europe. This is partially justified, as neither Greeks nor Romans were renowned for mounted archery traditions.
- About the Minoans on the other hand, it is unknown whether they practiced archery on the first place, as most details concerning their warfare are shrouded in mystery.
Gallery
Units in Age of Empires | |
---|---|
Civilian | Villager ยท Trade Cart |
Other | Priest ยท Slinger ยท Artifact |
Civilian ship | Fishing Boat ยท Fishing Ship Trade Boat ยท Merchant Ship |
Infantry | Clubman ยท Axeman Short Swordsman ยท Broad Swordsman ยท Long Swordsmen ยท Legionary Hoplite ยท Phalangite ยท Centurion |
Archer | Bowman Improved Bowman ยท Composite Bowman Chariot Archer Horse Archer ยท Heavy Horse Archer Elephant Archer |
Cavalry | Scout Chariot ยท Scythe Chariot Cavalry ยท Heavy Cavalry ยท Cataphract War Elephant ยท Armored Elephant Camel Rider |
Siege | Stone Thrower ยท Catapult ยท Heavy Catapult Ballista ยท Helepolis |
War Ship | Scout Ship ยท War Galley ยท Trireme Catapult Trireme ยท Juggernaut Fire Galley Light Transport ยท Heavy Transport |
Scenario Editor-only units | |
Chieftain ยท Donkey ยท Explorer ยท General ยท High Priest ยท Horse ยท Mercenary (removed) ยท Penguin ยท Pharaoh ยท Raft ยท War Chest |