Composite Bowman

The Minoans provide them a range boost of 2 to Composite Bowmen, allowing them to strike before other archers and out-range towers. They can therefore continue using them effectively in the Iron Age.

Strategy Edit

The Composite Bowman is better than the Improved Bowman. Civilizations that can train the Improved Bowman usually have the ability to upgrade them to a Composite Bowman. Because of this, the Improved Bowman never really makes their full appearance in a random game. Boasting solid overall stats, the Composite Bowman is an excellent ranged choice due to its low cost.

Upgrades Edit

Tool Age Edit

•  Leather Armor Archers: Increases armor by 2.
•  Woodworking: Increases range by 1.

Bronze Age Edit

•  Scale Armor Archers: Increases armor by 2.
•  Artisanship: Increases range by 1.

Iron Age Edit

•  Alchemy: Increases attack by 1.
•  Ballistics: Increases accuracy.
•  Chain Mail Archers: Increases armor by 2.
•  Craftsmanship: Increases range by 1.

Archery Range Tree
Tool Age Archery Range Bowman Bronze Age Improved Bowman Chariot Archer Composite Bowman Iron Age Horse Archer Elephant Archer Heavy Horse Archer

Civilization bonuses Edit

• Macedonians: Composite Bowmen are four times more resistant against enemy conversion.
• Minoans: Composite Bowmen have +2 range.

Trivia Edit

• Originally, Composite Bowmen were called Longbowmen, this is also the reason why their bow is longer than a traditional composite bow.
• The Composite Bowman in game will not be able to imitate his pose in the icon. In the icon, he is facing southeast while aiming at an enemy, holding the bow with his right arm and arrow with the left, allowing his back to face the player's view. In-game, when he is asked to face same direction and fire at an enemy unit, it is the other way around, exposing his front view to the player instead. 

Gallery Edit

A group of Composite Bowmen.

A group of Composite Bowmen attacking an enemy Storage Pit.

Composite Bowman in-game and infobox comparison. Even though the two illustrations show the Composite Bowman firing southeast, his in game counterpart does not imitate his pose on the infobox.

A Composite Bowman in the Definitive Edition

Add a photo to this gallery

Units in Age of Empires
Age of Empires
Priest · Villager · Trade Boat · Merchant Ship · Fishing Boat · Fishing Ship · Light Transport · Heavy Transport
Infantry	Clubman · Axeman · Short Swordsman · Broad Swordsman · Long Swordsmen · Legion · Hoplite · Phalanx · Centurion
Archers	Bowman · Improved Bowman · Composite Bowman · Chariot Archer · Elephant Archer · Horse Archer · Heavy Horse Archer
Cavalry	Scout · Cavalry · Heavy Cavalry · Cataphract · Chariot · War Elephant
Siege	Stone Thrower · Catapult · Heavy Catapult · Ballista · Helepolis
Navy	Scout Ship · War Galley · Trireme · Catapult Trireme · Juggernaught
The Rise of Rome
Armored Elephant · Camel Rider · Fire Galley · Scythe Chariot · Slinger
This box: view • talk • edit