Broad Swordsman

This article is about the unit in Age of Empires. For the untrainable unit in Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten, see Heavy Swordsman.

Broad Swordsman
Unit information
Introduced in	Age of Empires
Type	Light Infantry
Civilization	all but Egyptians, Greeks, and Yamato
Age	Bronze Age
Training
Trained at	Barracks
Food	35
Gold	15
Statistics
Hit points	80
Attack	9
Rate of Fire	Fast
Melee armor	1
Pierce armor	0
Speed	Medium
Unit evolution
Upgraded from	Short Swordsman
Upgrades to	Long Swordsman
Upgrade cost	160 food 50 gold

The Broad Swordsman is an infantry unit in Age of Empires that is a stronger upgrade of the Short Swordsman. The Broad Sword technology is available at the Barracks in the Bronze Age for 140 food and 50 gold. The Broad Swordsman can be upgraded further to a Long Swordsman once the Iron Age is reached.

Gameplay

The Broad Swordsman is stronger than the Short Swordsman and is an upgrade available immediately after researching the Short Sword Technology. Only three civilizations in the game cannot upgrade to the Broad Sword. It has more hit points and attack, making it useful in the Bronze Age, being better equipped to stand up to cavalry. However, their speed still poses a problem, making them vulnerable to archers, just like Short Swordsmen. However, they do make a good army when massed for a Bronze Age assault.

Upgrades

Tool Age

•  Toolworking: Increases attack by 2 points.
•  Leather Armor Infantry: Increases armor by 2 points.

Bronze Age

•  Metalworking: Increases attack by 2 points.
•  Scale Armor Infantry: Increases armor by 2 points.
•  Bronze Shield: Increases pierce armor by 1 point.
•  Logistics: Decreases population usage by 1/2.

Iron Age

•  Metallurgy: Increases attack by 3 points.
•  Chain Mail Infantry: Increases armor by 2 points.
•  Iron Shield: Increases pierce armor by 1 point.
•  Tower Shield: Increases pierce armor by 1 point.
• Can be upgraded to the Long Swordsman.

Barracks Tree
Stone Age Barracks Clubman Tool Age Axeman Slinger Bronze Age Short Swordsman Broad Swordsman Iron Age Long Swordsman Legion

Civilization Bonuses

• Romans: Broad Swordsmen attack +33% faster.
• Macedonians: Broad Swordsmen have +2 line of sight and are four times more resistant to conversion.
• Choson: Broad Swordsmen have +20 Hit points*
• The Broad Swordsman is not available for Egyptians, Greeks, and Yamato.

Changelog

Age of Empires

• Broad Swordsmen have 70 hit points.

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition

• Broad Swordsmen have 80 hit points.
• Choson Broad Swordsmen get +20 hit points.

History

“	The appearance of bronze short swords led to further advances in weaponry as competing cultures sought an advantage in military technology over their neighbors. Where the early short sword was primarily a piercing weapon, the broad sword evolved as a slashing weapon. The width of the blade increased strength sufficiently to support a slashing attack that could cut into armor and break short swords designed for stabbing.	”
—the Age of Empires manual

Gallery

A group of Broad Swordsmen, facing all possible directions.

A group of Gaia-controlled Broad Swordsmen

A Broad Swordsman in the Definitive Edition

Add a photo to this gallery