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This article is about the unit branch. For the technology in Age of Mythology, see Heavy Infantry (Age of Mythology). |
A Two-Handed Swordsman.
Heavy infantry are infantry units that have comparatively high hit points and a high attack. Most heavy infantry also have an attack bonus against buildings. On the downside, they have no range and are rather slow, making it hard to successfully battle ranged units, especially in larger numbers.
Heavy infantry is a cornerstone in many armies and an important unit branch for many civilizations.
Age of Empires[]
Heavy infantry are known as elite infantry in Age of Empires, and are available in the Academy. They are units of many strengths, but are also inflexible. Still, they are among the most powerful non-siege units in the game:
Heavy infantry cause very high amounts of damage and can easily bring units down, but are relatively slow and vulnerable to archer fire and conversion, so they are best used in hand-to-hand combat. They are excellent for countering cavalry units, as they do not take extra damage from them (unlike Swordsmen, due to how the armor class system works in Age of Empires), and boast enormous melee armor.
The Greeks have the fastest heavy infantry, the Carthaginians boast the toughest ones, whereas the Macedonians have a broad amount of bonuses for them, including high resistance to conversion. The only civilization that totally lack heavy infantry are the Persians, because they cannot build Academies.
Age of Empires II[]
The following infantry units are considered heavy infantry as they can be used in head-on battles, and not limited to roles such as only raiding or to only counter certain types of units:
Long Swordsman → Two-Handed Swordsman → Champion → Legionary- Woad Raider → Elite Woad Raider
- Throwing Axeman → Elite Throwing Axeman
- Huskarl → Elite Huskarl
- Samurai → Elite Samurai
- Teutonic Knight → Elite Teutonic Knight
- Berserk → Elite Berserk
- Jaguar Warrior → Elite Jaguar Warrior
- Kamayuk → Elite Kamayuk
- Condottiero
- Serjeant → Elite Serjeant
- Flemish Militia
- Obuch → Elite Obuch
- Urumi Swordsman → Elite Urumi Swordsman
Age of Mythology[]
The following infantry are considered heavy infantry, as they are slow, heavily armored and/or boast a high amount of hit points:
Age of Empires III[]
- Main article: Heavy infantry (Age of Empires III)
In Age of Empires III, heavy infantry generally counter cavalry and shock infantry, and work great against buildings. However, they are very vulnerable to artillery, light infantry (foot archers and rifle infantry), and counter-skirmishers. Since update 23511, most heavy infantry units are into one of those types: hand infantry (aka melee infantry) and musket infantry.
Note that Chimu Runners, Coyote Runners, and Disciples are classified as shock infantry, doing a similar role to heavy cavalry.
Age of Empires IV[]
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Heavy infantry in Age of Empires IV consist of the Man-at-Arms and Palace Guard. The Man-at-Arms has high attack, melee armor, and ranged armor, but they move slow. On the other hand, the Palace Guard, which is a Man-at-Arms replacement unique to the Chinese, has less armor, but moves faster. Both units are good at harassing Villagers, thanks to their high armor, but can be easily countered by the Crossbowman, who deals bonus damage against both. All heavy infantry can only be produced in the Castle Age, except for the English (who can make them in the Dark Age) and the Holy Roman Empire (who can make them in the Feudal Age).