Heavy Cavalry Archer

Overview

An improved mounted-archer upgrade available to civilizations that retain the Cavalry Archer line; most European civilizations instead use the Mounted Crossbowman line.

Availability and investment

Heavy Cavalry Archer becomes available in Imperial Age. Its listed production context is Archery Range. The listed cost is 40 Wood and the training time is 30 seconds. This tells you when it can first join an army and which resources must be reserved alongside Villager production, upgrades, and other military lines.

• Upgrade path: Cavalry Archer → Heavy Cavalry Archer (civilization availability varies)
• Upgrade path: Cavalry Archer → Heavy Cavalry Archer

Combat profile

The available combat values are included here so the numbers can be read as a profile rather than an isolated list. Hit points and armor describe how long the unit can remain exposed; attack and any bonus damage describe what it threatens; range, reload, accuracy, and movement describe how reliably it can engage or disengage. A value shown for a whole upgrade line applies to the listed stages as recorded, so compare the stage names instead of treating the line as one base unit.

• Ranged attack: 7
• Hit points: 60
• Melee armor: 1
• Pierce armor: 0
• Ranged attack: 7
• Range: 4
• Line of sight: 6
• Reload time: 2 seconds
• Movement speed: 1.4
• Accuracy: 80%

Field use

Preserve space between this unit and melee attackers so it can keep firing. Pair it with a screen, focus fire on reachable targets, and avoid letting a faster force surround it.

Armor classes and counters

Armor-class bonuses are separate from base attack and the target’s melee or pierce armor. The class list below shows the unit’s documented combat categories and bonus-damage relationships; use it to judge matchups instead of relying on the unit label alone.

• Armor class: Archer
• Armor class: Cavalry
• Armor class: Cavalry archer
• Heavy Cavalry Archer deals +4 bonus damage to units in the Spearman class

Related unit plan: Heavy Cavalry Archer kiting formation

Heavy Cavalry Archer: Heavy Cavalry Archers are strongest as an upgraded group rather than as isolated units. Their mobility lets them apply repeated ranged pressure while avoiding direct contact, but their full potential requires a meaningful investment in upgrades and production Mass the units behind a screen, then use short volleys and retreats to wear down slower infantry or siege support. Keep enough space to turn away from cavalry and use a second control group to protect the retreat path. Invest in the key ranged and cavalry upgrades when the force is large enough to benefit The line is resource- and technology-intensive, and a small unupgraded group is easy to contain. Do not let melee cavalry close the gap or keep kiting into a corner with no safe route