Fletching is a technology in Age of Empires II that can be researched at the Blacksmith. Once researched, it increases the range, attack, and Line of Sight of units and buildings that attack with arrows, most notably archers, Castles, and towers, by +1. Town Centers receive +1 attack and Line of Sight, but no range improvement.
Galleys, Longboats, Caravels, Harbors, and Kreposts also benefit from Fletching as well as Skirmishers, Genitours, and Bombard Towers, even though the latter three do not use arrows.
Bodkin Arrow is the further upgrade of this technology.
Strategy[]
As this technology improves defensive buildings, including the attack per arrow of Town Centers, it is almost guaranteed to be useful as protection against an enemy raid – even if the player is not attempting an archer-focused strategy. When villagers are garrisoned, higher damage arrows will significantly reduce the effect of enemy armor, which may increase the damage they deal.
Offensively, it also benefits players performing a Feudal Archer rush. Apart from the increased damage scaling well for every extra unit, extra range will keep the archers safer and enable them to pick off more fleeing units.
Further statistics[]
| Civilization bonuses | |
|---|---|
| Resource cost |  Bulgarians (-50% food) Chinese (-5%/-10%/-15% in the Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age) Shu (-25%) Spanish (-100% gold)
|
| Other | Spanish (receive 20 gold after researching Fletching)
|
| Team bonuses | |
|---|---|
| Research speed | Bulgarians (+80%) Portuguese (+25%)
|
Changelog[]
Definitive Edition[]
- With update 42848:
- Bulgarians: Initially, the team bonus makes Fletching research 50% faster. With the update, Fletching researches 80% faster. Additionally, Fletching costs -50% food.
- Portuguese: Fletching researches 30% faster as a civilization bonus.
Dynasties of India[]
- Portuguese: With update 73855, Fletching researches 25% faster as a team bonus.
History[]
| “ | The provision of feathers or other wind foils at the rear of an arrow was called fletching and this innovation improved the stability of an arrow in flight. Fletching increased the range and accuracy of the arrow. Wellmade arrows were essential to the success and effectiveness of archers. | ” |
| —Age of Empires II manual | ||
