Bearded Axe

Bearded Axe
Availability
Introduced in	Age of Empires II: The Conquerors
Civilization	Franks
Age	Castle Age*
Research
Researched at	Castle
Food	300
Gold	300
Research time	60 seconds
Effect
Throwing Axeman range +1

Bearded Axe is a technology in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors that is unique to the Franks and can be researched at the Castle. Once researched, it increases the range of Throwing Axemen by 1.

Strategy

Though its benefits may seem insignificant, Bearded Axe will make Throwing Axemen more versatile in ranged combat, as the Franks are unable to train Arbalesters and have a particularly poor archer tech tree. Especially when massed up and backed up with Knights, the Throwing Axemen can now perform a lot better and wipe out infantry and even cavalry armies.

Team bonuses

• Portuguese: Researching Bearded Axe is 25% faster.

Changelog

The Conquerors

• Bearded Axe is an Imperial Age unique technology and costs 400 food, 400 gold.

Lords of the West

• With update 47820, Bearded Axe is a Castle Age unique technology and costs 300 food, 300 gold.

Trivia

• The Vikings also used the Francisca or bearded axe.

History

Bearded axehead from Iron Age Sweden

“

The bearded axe got its name from the extended length added to the bottom of the blade, making the blade far longer than its connection to the haft. This axe was a further development of the Francisca, the throwing axe that gave the Franks their name. The bearded axe could be thrown or used hand-to-hand. Before the Franks discovered cavalry, they fought in massed formations. As they approached the enemy the front ranks threw axes. These disordered the enemy, caused some casualties, and stuck in shields, making them unwieldy. The Franks then closed quickly for hand-to-hand fighting with additional axes or swords.

”