Unarmored cavalry wielding explosive-tipped lances for an impressive charge attack.
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—Age of Empires IV description
The Fire Lancer is a unique light melee cavalry unit in Age of Empires IV available to the Chinese at the Stable once the Yuan Dynasty is reached. It features a charge attack that does area damage in a 150 degree circle sector (pie slice) with 1-tile radius centered in front of the unit, but can be canceled by bracing Spearmen. The damage scales down to 75% and 50% at different radii. It also has a powerful torch attack, making it excel at raiding structures.
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The Fire Lancer is a light cavalry unit just like the Horseman. It comes with +10 charge attack with an area damage, +10 attack vs siege, and +14 torch attack over the Horseman, as its flagship differences. It gains these strengths by losing 2 ranged armor and all attack bonus against ranged units compared to the Horseman, making Archers more threatening than usual.
Originally, the elite upgrade took 90 seconds. With update 8324, it takes 60 seconds.
Originally, Fire Lancers cost 80 food, did bonus damage vs ranged units, and charge weapon Area of Effect damage dealt 100% damage to surrounding units. With patch 10257, they cost 120 food, do not do bonus damage vs ranged units, and charge weapon Area of Effect damage deals 50% damage to surrounding units.
Originally, Fire Lancers had 135/160 hit points, 51/55 torch damage, and 11/15 melee damage per upgrade level. With patch 10257, they have 155/180 hit points, 36/40 torch damage, and 11/13 melee damage per upgrade level. Their charge damage bonus remained at +10. With update 7.0.5861, the torch damage was further reduced to 30/34.
Originally, Fire Lancers dealt +10 bonus torch damage to siege engines. With patch 11009, this was increased to +20. With Season Two Update 17718, they retained their +20 bonus damage to siege engines, but attack with their melee weapon instead.
Originally, the Fire Lancer was only available in the Yuan Dynasty. With the Season One Update, they are still unlocked in the Yuan Dynasty, but then are available in all subsequent Dynasties as well.
Originally, Fire Lancers moved at 1.5 tiles per second and had an attack interval of 1.75 seconds. With Season Two Update 17718, they move at 1.625 tiles per second and have an attack interval of 1.62 seconds.
Originally, Fire Lancers had 0 ranged armor. With update 24916, they have 1 for Regular and 2 for Elite.
Originally, Fire Lancers had 0.29 range. With update 11.0.782, they have 0.38 range.
Biology (+20%)
Bloomery (+1)
Decarbonization (+1)
Damascus Steel (+1)
Fitted Leatherwork (+1 melee)
Insulated Helm (+1 melee)
Master Smiths (+1 melee)
Iron Undermesh (+1 ranged)
Wedge Rivets (+1 ranged)
Angled Surfaces (+1 ranged)
Military Academy (+33%)
Ming Dynasty (+10%)
Yuan Dynasty (+15%)
Supervision (+150%)
Spirit Way (Grants +20% attack speed and 2 hp/s regeneration to nearby units upon dying)
