Fast, with ranged attack. Ideal for hit-and-run attacks.
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—Age of Empires II original description
The Cavalry Archer is a mounted archer unit in Age of Empires II that can be trained at the Archery Range once the Castle Age is reached. Its high speed and ranged attack make it an excellent harasser, hit-and-runner, and a good counter for infantry units. With enough micromanagement, a small force of Cavalry Archers can take out whole contingents of foot-soldiers. However, they are hindered somewhat by their high attack delay. Their armor gets upgraded through the archer line but in terms of attack bonus against them they count as botharchers and cavalry.
x means that the civilization gets Bloodlines and Thumb Ring, so it can fully upgrade its Cavalry Archers in the Castle Age.
+ means that the civilization has a civilization bonus or team bonus or a unique technology that benefits the combat strength of the Cavalry Archer.
Tactics[]
Cavalry Archers are one of the best harassers in the game. When attacking with Cavalry Archers the player must always micromanage them properly to maintain distance from the enemy targets. Tactics that employ these units require a lot of resources since these units work way better if used in large numbers. Cavalry Archers are an excellent way to deal with slow-moving melee units like most infantry. They also possess very solid stats all-around, so they fare well even when caught in battle.
However, Cavalry Archers require many technologies to be researched to make them effective, meaning it is difficult to get a group of them out in a reasonable timeframe without them being weak. Additionally, they are countered very cost-effectively by Elite Skirmishers, which Cavalry Archers generally cannot outrange, can soak up the damage from Cavalry Archers, and deal drastic bonus damage to them. Mangonels and Scorpions can also be devastating to a group of Cavalry Archers if they don't avoid their projectiles, while rams or Armored Elephants can be used as a very effective damage sponge against them. Various unique units are strong against Cavalry Archers, whether through dealing bonus damage to them (i.e. Camel Archers) and/or having too much pierce armor for the Cavalry Archers to handle (i.e. War Wagons). Huskarls, Ghulams, and Eagle Warriors are very deadly to Cavalry Archers due to their high pierce armor, bonus damage, and having enough speed to catch them (or at least enough so the Cavalry Archers cannot effectively kite them). Shrivamsha Riders are also a very effective counter for the Gurjaras; despite not dealing bonus damage or having high pierce armor, the Shrivamsha Riders' unrivaled movement speed and projectile-dodging mechanic make them a menacing foe to Cavalry Archers.
Further statistics[]
Unit strengths and weaknesses
Strong vs.
Most infantry, most foot archers with all armor upgrades
Bulgarians: Initially, the Team Bonus gave the Blacksmith a 50% work rate boost. With update 42848, this was changed to a 80% work rate boost.
Cumans: Initially, Cavalry Archers move 10% faster. With update 34055, the bonus was staggered to 10%/15% in the Castle/Imperial Age and Cumans lost access to Husbandry.
Koreans: Cavalry Archers cost -15% wood. With update 39284, they cost -20% wood.
Koreans: With update 42848, Archer armor upgrades are free.
Portuguese: With update 39284, Cavalry Archers cost -20% gold.
Portuguese: With update 42848, all technologies are researched 30% faster.
Saracens: Initially, Cavalry Archers have +3 attack bonus against buildings. With update 34055, Cavalry Archers have +2/+3 attack bonus against buildings in the Castle/Imperial Age.
Archers mounted on horses originated in ancient times on the great plains of Asia and continued to make up the bulk of the armies from this region throughout the Middle Ages. The Mongol armies that conquered most of Asia, the Middle East, and much of Europe were predominately cavalry archers. For the time they were a unique combination of firepower and speed. They could cross almost any kind of terrain quickly, strike unexpectedly, and withdraw if necessary before heavy cavalry or infantry units could react. The Mongols especially mastered the tactics of hitting, running, and ambushing, avoiding hand-to-hand fighting until the enemy was completely demoralized. Cavalry archers were most effective on open ground with plenty of maneuvering room. They were least effective against fortified positions that could not be starved out and required a hand-to-hand assault.
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Gallery[]
The Cavalry Archer (on the left) and its upgrade, the Heavy Cavalry Archer
The Cavalry Archer line, with the Cavalry Archer on the left.
Available
Unavailable
Bloodlines (+20)
Sipahi (+20, Turks only)
Fletching (+1)
Bodkin Arrow (+1)
Bracer (+1)
Chemistry (+1)
Parthian Tactics (+2 attack against Spearmen)
Recurve Bow (+1, Magyars only since patch 5.5)
Thumb Ring (+11%)
Ballistics (hit moving targets)
Padded Archer Armor (+1/+1)
Leather Archer Armor (+1/+1)
Ring Archer Armor (+1/+2)
Husbandry (+10%)
Devotion (+1 min, +1 max)
Faith (+4 min, +4 max)
Heresy (die upon getting converted)
Conscription (+33%)
Heavy Cavalry Archer
Bulgarians: Blacksmith upgrades that benefit Cavalry Archers cost -50% food.
