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This article is about the unit in Age of Empires II. For the unit in Age of Mythology, see Throwing Axeman (Age of Mythology). |
| “ | Frankish unique infantry unit with ranged melee attack. | ” |
| —Age of Empires II description | ||
The Throwing Axeman is the unique unit of the Franks in Age of Empires II. It is an infantry unit with a ranged melee attack.
Throwing Axemen can be upgraded to Elite Throwing Axemen in the Imperial Age.
Tactics[]
The Throwing Axeman deals melee damage at range. This means that while it functions similarly to a standard infantry in terms of counters, they can perform a back-line role similar to archers. This is especially useful for the Franks with their pitiful Crossbowmen. Compared to the Hand Cannoneer, they are significantly less expensive while performing similarly well in combat. The fact they deal melee damage is beneficial, as fewer units have especially high melee armor compared to pierce armor.
They deal high damage for a ranged unit, particularly against buildings, and can take more hits than the average archer. However, their inferior range means that Throwing Axemen are vulnerable against other ranged units. Throwing Axemen can kill siege weapons easily due to their melee damage as long as they can avoid being hit and can close the gap. Heavy cavalry units such as Paladins are also quite effective against them.
Since the Franks are reliant on their Paladins, using Throwing Axemen against cavalry counters such as Camel Riders and Halberdiers is a promising tactic, since both units have low melee armor. Combined with Paladins, they can cover each other's weaknesses.
It is not advisable to try to kite melee units using Throwing Axemen as they have a long attack delay.
Comparison with other ranged melee units[]
Castle Age[]
 Throwing Axeman
|
 Gbeto
|
 Chakram Thrower
| |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 55 food, 25 gold | 50 food, 40 gold | 65 food, 30 gold |
| Training time | 17 seconds | 17 seconds | 15 seconds |
| Hit Points | 60 | 40 | 40 |
| Melee Attack | 7 | 10 | 3 |
| Attack Bonus | +1 vs Eagle Warrior +1 vs Standard Building |
+1 vs Eagle Warrior | +1 vs Eagle Warrior +1 vs Standard Building |
| Range | 3+1 | 5 | 5 |
| Line of Sight | Range + 2 | Range + 1 | Range + 2 |
| Rate of Fire | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Attack delay | 1 | 1 | 0.8 |
| Armor | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1/0 |
| Movement Speed | 1 + 0.1 | 1.25 + 0.125 | 1.15 |
| Upgrade Cost | 1,000 food, 750 gold | 900 food, 600 gold | 1,000 food, 650 gold |
| Upgrade Time | 45 seconds | 45 seconds | 45 seconds |
| Other properties | Causes 100% pass-through damage |
Imperial Age[]
| Elite Throwing Axeman
|
Elite Gbeto
|
Elite Chakram Thrower
| |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 55 food, 25 gold | 50 food, 40 gold | 49 food, 30 gold |
| Training time | 17 seconds | 17 seconds | 15 seconds |
| Hit Points | 70 | 50 | 50 |
| Melee Attack | 8+2 | 13 | 4 |
| Attack Bonus | +2 vs Eagle Warrior +2 vs Standard Building |
+2 vs Eagle Warrior | +2 vs Eagle Warrior +2 vs Standard Building +1 vs Infantry and Condottiero |
| Range | 4+1 | 6 | 6 |
| Line of Sight | Range + 2 | Range + 1 | Range + 2 |
| Rate of Fire | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Attack delay | 0.82 | 1 | 0.8 |
| Armor | 1/0 | 0/0 | 1/0 |
| Movement Speed | 1 + 0.1 | 1.25 + 0.125 | 1.15 |
| Other properties | Causes 100% pass-through damage |
Comparison with other options[]
Castle Age[]
 Long Swordsman
|
Throwing Axeman
|
 Crossbowman
| |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 45 food, 20 gold | 55 food, 25 gold | 25 wood, 45 gold |
| Training time | 21 seconds | 17 seconds | 27 seconds |
| Hit Points | 60 | 60 | 35 |
| Attack | 9+2 melee | 7+2 melee | 5+2 pierce |
| Attack Bonus | +6 vs Eagle Warrior +3+2 vs Standard Building |
+1 vs Eagle Warrior +1+2 vs Standard Building |
+3 vs Spearmen |
| Range | 0 | 3+1 | 5+2 |
| Line of Sight | 6 | Range + 2 | Range + 2 |
| Rate of Fire | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Attack delay | N/A | 1 | 0.35 |
| Armor | 1+2/1+3 | 0+2/0+2 | 0+2/0+2 |
| Movement Speed | 0.9 + 0.09 | 1 + 0.1 | 0.96 |
| Upgrade Cost | 300 food, 100 gold 750 food, 350 gold |
1,000 food, 750 gold | N/A |
| Upgrade Time | 60 seconds 85 seconds |
45 seconds | |
| Attack properties | N/A | Attacks in a straight line | Can track moving targets 85% accuracy |
Imperial Age[]
 Champion
|
Elite Throwing Axeman
|
 Hand Cannoneer
| |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 45 food, 20 gold | 55 food, 25 gold | 45 food, 50 gold |
| Training time | 21 seconds | 17 seconds | 34 seconds |
| Hit Points | 70 | 70 | 40 |
| Attack | 13+4 melee | 8+4 melee | 17 pierce |
| Attack Bonus | +8 vs Eagle Warrior +4+2 vs Standard Building |
+2 vs Eagle Warrior +2+2 vs Standard Building |
+10 vs Infantry +2 vs Ram +1 vs Spearman |
| Range | 0 | 4+1 | 7 |
| Line of Sight | 7 | Range + 2 | Range + 2 |
| Rate of Fire | 2 | 2 | 3.45 |
| Attack delay | N/A | 0.82 | 0.35 |
| Armor | 1+3/1+5 | 1+3/0+4 | 1+2/0+2 |
| Movement Speed | 0.9 + 0.09 | 1 + 0.1 | 0.96 |
| Attack properties | N/A | Attacks in a straight line | Attacks in a straight line 75% accuracy |
Further statistics[]
As Throwing Axemen are unique to the Franks, only technologies that are available to them are shown in the following table:
| Unit strengths and weaknesses | |
|---|---|
| Strong vs. | Elite Skirmishers, Halberdiers, Eagle Warriors, Rams, Trebuchets, buildings, Light Cavalry, Huskarls, Camel Riders |
| Weak vs. | Archers, Scorpions, Mangonels, Jaguar Warriors, Boyars, Cataphracts, Samurai, Teutonic Knights, Paladins, Slingers |
| Upgrades | |
| Attack |  Forging (+1) Iron Casting (+1) Blast Furnace (+2) Arson (+2 attack against standard buildings)
|
| Range |  Bearded Axe (+1)
|
| Armor |  Scale Mail Armor (+1/+1) Chain Mail Armor (+1/+1) Plate Mail Armor (+1/+2)
|
| Speed |  Squires (+10%)
|
| Conversion defense |  Devotion (+1 min, +1 max) Faith (+4 min, +4 max) Heresy (die upon getting converted)
|
| Creation speed |  Conscription (+33%) Kasbah (+25%, with a Berber ally only)
|
| Regeneration | Stronghold (30 HP/min when within 18 tiles square of a team Celts Castle)
|
| Upgrades |  Elite Throwing Axeman
|
Team bonuses[]
Armenians: Throwing Axemen have +2 Line of Sight.- Bulgarians: Blacksmith technologies are researched 80% faster.
- Goths: Researching Squires and Arson is 20% faster.
- Lithuanians: Devotion, Faith, and Heresy are researched 20% faster.
- Portuguese: Upgrades that benefit Throwing Axemen are researched 25% faster.
- Teutons: Throwing Axemen are more resistant to conversion.
Changelog[]
The Age of Kings[]
- Throwing Axemen have 50 (60 for Elite) hit points.
- Throwing Axemen move at a speed of 0.9.
- Non-Elite Throwing Axemen have a frame delay of 12.
- Elite Throwing Axeman upgrade costs 1,000 food, 850 gold.
The Conquerors[]
- Heresy introduced.
- Bearded Axe introduced. It is an Imperial Age unique technology and costs 400 food, 400 gold.
The Forgotten[]
- Non-Elite Throwing Axemen have a frame delay of 10.
- Elite Throwing Axeman upgrade costs 1,000 food, 750 gold.
The African Kingdoms[]
- Throwing Axemen move at a speed of 1.
- Arson introduced.
- With patch 4.8, Throwing Axemen have 60 (70 for Elite) HP.
Definitive Edition[]
- Tracking removed; all infantry now receive +2 LOS from the Feudal Age instead.
- With update 47820, Bearded Axe is a Castle Age unique technology and costs 300 food, 300 gold.
Heroes[]
There are two heroes in the game with the appearance of a Throwing Axeman:
History[]
| “ | The Franks took their name from the axe that was their preferred weapon in ancient times. They continued to use the axe into the Dark Ages and their warriors were especially noted for their ability to throw this axe in battle. The axe was well balanced and could be hurled a good distance by a strong man. Franks carried several axes into battle, holding on to one for hand-to-hand combat. As they advanced they could pick up axes thrown previously to replenish their supply of missiles. Throwing axemen were especially good against light troops wearing little armor. Carrying axes was also useful for dismantling fortifications. | ” |
Trivia[]
- The throwing axe was no longer used by the Franks by the time of Saladin, Barbarossa, The Grand Dukes of the West, and Joan of Arc.
- In reality, the francisca was so named because it was used by the Franks (whose name means "spear," cognate with Church Slavonic prǫžь, "pole"), not the other way around.[1]
- In real-life, the francisca had only one blade and was much smaller and lighter; its average length was 17 inches (~43 cm) and weighed about 1.3 lb (~0.6 kg).
Gallery[]
Video overview[]
