Recurve Bow is a technology in Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten that is unique to the Magyars and can be researched at the Castle once the Imperial Age is reached. Once researched, it increases the range and attack of Cavalry Archers by +1.
Strategy[]
With Recurve Bow, Cavalry Archers have exactly the same range as normal Arbalesters, allowing Cavalry Archers to outmatch other ranged units and letting them perform better hit-and-run tactics. Recurve Bow itself should be treated as another Blacksmith upgrade so the player must remember to first research Fletching, Bodkin Arrow, and Bracer, since these Blacksmith technologies benefit all ranged units and are cheaper than Recurve Bow.
Recurve Bow makes Magyar Cavalry Archers some of the best in the game, along with their Turkish, Mongol, and Tatar counterparts.
Team bonuses[]
- Portuguese: Researching Recurve Bow is 25% faster.
History[]
The military tactics employed by the Magyar tribes were similar to that of all other Eurasian Nomads; long-range arrow showering feigned retreats, ambush and surprise attack. Their blacksmith's manufactured their slightly curved sabers, but their main weapon was their recurved, bone reinforced, Magyar bows. Recurve bows made out of composite materials were used by, among other groups, the Persians, Parthians, Sarmatians, Scythians, Alans, Dacians, Cumans, Hyksos, Magyars, Huns, Bulgars, Greeks, Turks, Mongols, Koreans, and Chinese.
Hungarian archers used recurve bows, which were manufactured from laminates of wood glued with animal tissue like horn and sinew, to great destructive effect during the reign of the Hungarian Kingdom. The rise of the Mongols can be partially attributed to the good range and power of the bows of Genghis Khan's hordes. These bows were made of a bamboo core, with horn on the belly (facing towards the archer) and sinew on the back, bound together with animal glue. During the Middle Ages composite recurve bows were used in the drier European countries because the laminate glue would not moisten and thereby lose its adhesive power; the all-wooden straight longbow was the norm in humid areas.
Changelog[]
The Forgotten[]
- Recurve Bow increases only the range of Cavalry Archers by +1.
Rise of the Rajas[]
- With patch 5.5, Recurve Bow now increases both attack and range of Cavalry Archers by +1.
Dynasties of India[]
- With update 81058, Genitours benefit from Recurve Bow.