Cossack

Template:Infobox Unit The Cossack is a Russian cavalry unit featured in Age of Empires III and is available at the Stable once the Colonial Age is reached.

Overview

The Cossack functions as the Russian version of the Hussar. Although they are somewhat weaker than Hussars, they are cheaper, and only occupy one slot of population. This means that they can be produced in large numbers compared to most other cavalry who take up two slots of population. With the proper cards and upgrades, an almost colossal army of Cossacks can be used to overwhelm opponents. The most effective method to use them is to raid enemy Settlers and as a counter to enemy hand cavalry and can even best some of the best heavy cavalry when given the cards (boyars, cavalry combats advance arsenal and unique church cards)due to their massive numbers. Only a mass of heavy infantry or melee resistance ranged cavalries such as bow riders, cavalry archers, can stand up against them. They are also very efficient if used against Light Infantry and Artillery. Cossacks have good speed and decent Hit Points but have no range. Cossacks do all their damage in melee combat.

When training Cossacks it is a good idea to train a complementary unit, preferably one with range, than can soften up enemy units before the Cossacks get close. Because of their cheap price and the cards that they get to be upgraded, they can be counted as a very useful cavalry. Therefore, combine them with either Strelets and/or Horse Archers to make them very dangerous opponents against any enemy. To siege without artillery, a Russian player can mix in some Ophrinicks, along with Cossacks and Strelets.

Upgrades

The Cossack can be upgraded to higher levels after the Colonial Age. They can be upgraded to Veteran, Guard or Imperial levels at the Stable depending on what age the player is in. Once Fortress Age is reached, the player can research Cavalry Cuirass from the Arsenal.

Veteran Cossacks

Veteran Cossacks are slighly better than ordinary Cossacks with higher hit points and better attack. Veteran Cossacks have the lowest rank but are the first major upgrade. They are available for 200 wood and 200 coin at the Stables once Fortress Age is reached.

Hit Points: 270

Siege Attack: 18

Hand Attack: 31

Guard Cossack

Guard Cossacks are better than Veteran Cossacks in terms of hit points and the amount of damage it inflicts on a certain unit. The upgrade is available at the Stable for 600 wood and 600 coin once Industrial Age is reached.

Hit Points: 337

Siege Attack: 22

Hand Attack: 39

Imperial Cossack

The Imperial Cossack is the final and strongest form of the Cossack and is the successor of the Guard Cossack. Imperial Cossacks have double the amount of hit points and deals double the damage compared to an ordinary Cossack due to their high rank. The upgrade is available at the Stables for 1500 wood and 1500 coin once the Imperial Age is reached.

Hit Points: 450

Siege Attack: 30

Hand Attack: 52

Shipments

This is a list of shipments that benefit Cossacks in any way.

Click for a list of Cossack related home city cards
Russians Card name Card description Age Level 4 Cossacks Ships 4 Cossacks 2 0 6 Cossacks Ships 6 Cossacks 3 0 8 Cossacks Ships 8 Cossacks 4 10 5 Cossacks Ships 5 Cossacks 2 10 Boyars Increases attack and hitpoints 2 25 Cavalry Combat Increases hitpoints and attack 3 10 TEAM Scout Cavalry Increases hitpoints and line of sight 1 0 Riding School Decreases training time 2 10

Template:Units AoE3