This article is about the unit in Age of Mythology. For the unit in Age of Empires, see Axeman (Age of Empires). |
The Axeman is an Egyptian counter-infantry infantry in Age of Mythology that can be trained at the Barracks once the Classical Age is reached.
Strengths and weaknesses[]
- Strong against
- Weak against
- Toxotes
- Hippikons
- Slingers
- War Elephants
- Chariot Archers
- Throwing Axemen
- Raiders
- Jarls
- Arci
- Chu Ko Nu
Improvements[]
Specific[]
- Medium Axemen, Heavy Axemen, and Champion Axemen increase attack by 10% and LOS by 1, and increase hit points by 10%, 15% and 20% respectively.
- Scalloped Axe (Ptah) increases attack by 10%.
- Axe of Vengeance (Horus) triples damage done to buildings and increases attack by 20%
General[]
- Levy Barracks and Conscript Barracks decrease training time by 20%.
- Copper Weapons, Bronze Weapons, and Iron Weapons increase attack by 10%.
- Copper Mail, Bronze Mail, and Iron Mail decrease hack vulnerability by 10%.
- Copper Shields, Bronze Shields, and Iron Shields decrease pierce vulnerability by 10%.
Strategy[]
Like the Slinger, the Axeman is a hard counter unit. It has a large bonus against infantry units and Norse Heroes. Infantry are commonly used in the Classical Age, especially by Norse players. As Axemen are cheap and quick to train, Egyptian players can rapidly mass them to wipe out any early threat from infantry.
Axemen have a poor normal attack and are very vulnerable to ranged attacks from archers and counter-archers due to their abysmal pierce armor. To mitigate this, they can be supported by counter-archer units such as the Slinger. Axemen fare acceptably against cavalry if they outnumber them well enough, although the Spearman is always a better choice to occupy this role.
As with all Barracks units, Axemen are weaker than Migdol Stronghold units. The Chariot Archer is much more versatile and can occupy the anti-infantry role to a certain extent. On the other hand, Axemen deal nearly twice as much damage to infantry as Chariots do. Furthermore, Horus worshipers may find a use for Axemen, as Axe of Vengeance turns them into building-wreckers.
Trivia[]
- In the Spanish version of Age of Mythology, the Axeman's name is incorrectly translated as "Axe Thrower" (Lanzador de hachas).
History[]
The two-handed piercing axe was especially useful as a weapon against heavily armored opponents because the axe could penetrate almost any armor. The axe was difficult to use, however, because it was unwieldy, required space to enable a swing, was relatively slow in use, and left the axe man exposed during the swing. Opponents slowed by heavy armor and shields had less opportunity to take advantage of these handicaps.