GUIDE · UNIT STRATEGY
Crossbowman mass-upgrade timing
The Crossbowman upgrade improves the Archer line’s range and attack while shortening its training time, so it is most valuable when a Feudal group has survived and can be enlarged.
Overview
The Crossbowman upgrade improves the Archer line’s range and attack while shortening its training time, so it is most valuable when a Feudal group has survived and can be enlarged.
Plan and execution
Preserve Archers through Feudal Age, save resources for the Castle Age upgrade, and regroup before advancing. Research it as soon as the army and economy can use the timing, then add supporting production and keep the ranged line together to focus targets before melee units can close.
Risks and adaptation
The upgrade is inefficient for a few isolated Archers and does not protect the group from Mangonels, Skirmishers, or cavalry. Maintain a screen and stop feeding units into prepared counters.
- Focus
- Castle Age ranged power spike
- Signature / category
- Plan and execution
- Release / context
- Age of Empires II system
- Region
- Unit strategy
- Classification
- Unit strategies