| “ | Powerful all-purpose ranged infantry. | ” |
| —Age of Empires IV description | ||
The Gilded Handcannoneer is a light ranged gunpowder infantry unit in Age of Empires IV: The Sultans Ascend, available to the Order of the Dragon. It can be trained at the Archery Range in the Imperial Age. It is the gilded version of the Handcannoneer.
Just like all gilded units, Gilded Handcannoneers cost 100% more resources and population, and are trained 20% slower. The Gilded Handcannoneer has nearly +92% hit points, +7.9% ranged attack, +12.5% range, and +88.9% Rate of Fire.
Tactics[]
Even though they do not inherently deal any bonus damage, Handcannoneers have higher attack and hit points than other ranged infantry, and as such function well as an all-purpose generalist ranged unit. They are best-used against other expensive units with slow speed and/or high hit points, such as heavy infantry, elephants, and Order of the Dragon gilded units. This is because in large numbers, due to their high attack, they have a tendency to 'overkill' low-health units and waste valuable DPS. While they can defeat units like Archers and Spearmen one-on-one, they are far too expensive to be a cost-effective counter, and are much more difficult to mass. After researching Serpentine Powder, they become an especially hard counter to melee infantry.
They share the same weakness as other ranged infantry to the Mangonel, which deals Area of Effect and bonus damage against all ranged infantry, and Horsemen, which also deal bonus damage and are cost-effective. They can also struggle vs long-ranged units such as the Longbowman and especially the Javelin Thrower, which deals bonus damage to it.
Further statistics[]
| Technologies | |
|---|---|
| Attack |  Chemistry (+25% bonus damage)
|
| Armor |  Fitted Leatherwork (+1 melee) Insulated Helm (+1 melee) Master Smiths (+1 melee) Iron Undermesh (+1 ranged) Wedge Rivets (+1 ranged) Angled Surfaces (+1 ranged)
|
| Creation speed |  Military Academy (+33%)
|
| Aura and ability enhancements | |
|---|---|
| Attack |  Inspiration Bonus (+15%)
|
 Range
|
 Wall Defense (+1)
|
| Armor | Inspiration Bonus (+1 melee/ranged)
|
| Damage resistance | Wall Defense (-25% ranged, -50% siege)
|
Dialogue lines[]
- Main article: Handcannoneer/Holy Roman Empire dialogue lines
Changelog[]
- Originally, the Gilded Handcannoneer dealt 38 ranged damage. With patch 12.1.2454, it deals 41.
Trivia[]
- Of all gilded units, the Gilded Handcannoneer has the lowest percentage increase in attack, but the highest percentage increase in Rate of Fire.
Gallery[]
