Composite Bowman is a unit in Age of Empires. It is an upgrade of the Improved Bowman. They are one of the Bronze Age's most cost effective units as they only require half the resources of a Chariot Archer.
Strategy
Upgrades
Tool Age
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Civilization bonuses
Trivia
Gallery
The Minoans provide them a range boost of 2 to Composite Bowmen, allowing them to strike before other archers and out-range towers. The Minoans can also continue to use them effectively in the Iron Age.
| Available | Unavailable |
|---|---|
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
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 Longbowman, 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.
| 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 · Bowman · Improved Bowman · Composite Bowman · Hoplite · Phalanx · Centurion |
| Cavalry | Scout · Cavalry · Heavy Cavalry · Cataphract · Chariot · Chariot Archer · Elephant Archer · Horse Archer · Heavy Horse Archer · 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 | |
