Template:Units Infobox (Age of Empires)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.
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
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
Tool Age
Leather Armor Archers: Increases armor by 2.
Woodworking: Increases range by 1.
Bronze Age
Scale Armor Archers: Increases armor by 2.- Artisanship: Increases range by 1.
Iron Age
- Alchemy: Increases attack by 1.
- Ballistics: Increases accuracy.
- Chain Mail Archers: Increases armor by 2.
- Craftsmanship: Increases range by 1.
Template:Archery Range TechTree (Age of Empires)
Civilization bonuses
- Macedonians: Composite Bowmen are four times more resistant against enemy conversion.
- Minoans: Composite Bowmen have +2 range.
Trivia
- 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
| Units in Age of Empires | |
|---|---|
| Civilian |  Villager ·  Trade Cart |
| Other |  Priest ·  Slinger ·  Artifact |
| Civilian ship |  Fishing Boat ·  Fishing Ship Trade Boat ·  Merchant Ship |
| Infantry |  Clubman ·  Axeman Short Swordsman ·  Broad Swordsman ·  Long Swordsmen ·  Legionary Hoplite ·  Phalangite ·  Centurion |
| Archer |  Bowman Improved Bowman ·  Composite Bowman Chariot Archer Horse Archer ·  Heavy Horse Archer Elephant Archer |
| Cavalry |  Scout Chariot ·  Scythe Chariot Cavalry ·  Heavy Cavalry ·  Cataphract War Elephant ·  Armored Elephant Camel Rider |
| Siege |  Stone Thrower ·  Catapult ·  Heavy Catapult Ballista ·  Helepolis |
| War Ship |  Scout Ship ·  War Galley ·  Trireme Catapult Trireme ·  Juggernaut Fire Galley Light Transport ·  Heavy Transport |
| Scenario Editor-only units | |
Chieftain ·  Donkey · Explorer · General · High Priest ·  Horse ·  Mercenary (removed) ·  Penguin · Pharaoh · Raft · War Chest | |