Forest Prowler
The Forest Prowler is a Fortress Age Haudenosaunee rifle infantry unit with long range and Stealth. It punishes Heavy infantry and Light ranged cavalry but is vulnerable when enemies reach it in melee.
Recorded values
- Available
- Fortress Age · War Hut; Fort; American Citadel
- Training
- 36 sec · 1 population · 12 XP per train
- Durability & mobility
- 108 hit points · 30% ranged resistance · 4.0 speed · 24 line of sight
- Hand attack
- 7 damage · 1.5 attack interval · bonuses: 2.0x vs. Light ranged cavalry; 2.0x vs. Ranged shock trooper; 2.0x vs. Heavy infantry; 0.75x vs. Cavalry; 0.75x vs. Shock troops
- Ranged attack
- 15.2 damage · 2-20 range · 3.0 attack interval · bonuses: 2.5x vs. Light ranged cavalry; 2.5x vs. Ranged shock trooper; 2.0x vs. Heavy infantry; 0.6x vs. Cavalry; 0.6x vs. Shock troops
- Siege attack
- 12 damage · 6 range · 3.0 attack interval
Role & counters
It costs 50 Food and 65 Coin for one population and is trained at the War Hut, Fort or American Citadel. Its rifle has a range of 20 and carries strong bonuses against Heavy infantry, Light ranged cavalry and ranged shock units. It can enter Stealth mode and has ranged resistance, but its hand attack is weak.
When to field it
Fire from a screened position and use Stealth to set up an ambush or avoid a bad approach. Pair it with Tomahawks, Kanya Horsemen or other units that can keep cavalry away; do not let it take a close fight alone.
Current cost and combat values
The Forest Prowler is a Fortress Age Haudenosaunee light infantry unit. It costs 50 food and 65 coin, takes 36 seconds to train, occupies one population, and has 108 hit points with 30% ranged resistance. It moves at speed 4.0 and has line of sight 24. Its rifle deals 15.2 damage at range 2–20 every 3 seconds. It has a 2.5 multiplier against light ranged cavalry and ranged shock troopers, 2.0 against heavy infantry, and 0.6 against cavalry and shock troops. Its hand attack deals 7 damage every 1.5 seconds, with bonuses against light ranged cavalry, ranged shock troops, and heavy infantry. The siege attack deals 12 damage at range 6 every 3 seconds. The long range and stealth ability give it a specialist ambush role, but its low speed and health make it vulnerable when cavalry reaches it.
Stealth scouting and ambushes
The Forest Prowler can enter Stealth mode and wait at a strategic position such as a mountain pass, a trade route, or a protected approach. This lets the player reveal a volley when an enemy army walks into range rather than exposing the unit while it moves across the map. Use the 24 line of sight to watch the approach and keep the Prowlers close enough to support the main force. Stealth does not make them safe against detection or a direct cavalry charge. Their 4.0 movement speed makes it difficult to escape once detected, so set an exit route and keep a screen nearby. Ambushes work best against slow heavy infantry and artillery support that cannot immediately close the distance.
Matchups and army support
Forest Prowlers perform well against heavy infantry, light ranged cavalry, and ranged shock troops. The 2.0 heavy-infantry multiplier lets them damage units such as Doppelsoldners, Samurai, Musketeers, Ashigaru, and Landsknechts from a distance. Heavy cavalry, hand shock troops, counter-skirmishers, and artillery are dangerous. Hussars, Sipahi, and Cuirassiers can reach the Prowlers and remove them quickly if the formation lacks a screen. Combine them with Tomahawks to block cavalry or Musket Riders to flank the charging force. Light Cannon adds artillery pressure and helps the army answer enemy positions, while Forest Prowlers focus infantry. They are more expensive than Aenna, so preserve their range and avoid using them as expendable front-line troops.
Fortifications and map control
The unit's long range can be especially effective behind walls: it can fire at units trying to siege while protected from direct melee. Bastion upgrades increase the value of this defensive position. On maps such as Himalayas-Upper or Painted Desert, a hidden group near a narrow pass can force the enemy to reveal its plan or take damage before the main engagement. Use the stealth position to control an approach, then regroup with the army instead of remaining isolated. Their range and anti-infantry damage support a defensive turtle, but artillery can still attack from outside or destroy the wall, so keep cavalry or other mobile units ready to counter siege.
Upgrade path and production
Forest Prowlers upgrade automatically to Elite in the Fortress Age, gaining 25% hit points and damage. Champion Forest Prowlers costs 400 wood and 200 coin in the Industrial Age and adds another 25%. Legendary Forest Prowlers costs 1,500 wood and 1,500 coin in the Imperial Age and adds 50% after Champion. They are trained from the War Hut, Fort, or American Citadel. The unit was introduced in The WarChiefs and received later classification updates, including light infantry from update 13.9057 and rifle infantry from update 23511. Current values are 108 hit points and 15.2 ranged damage; older patches used 110 health and 16 damage.
Stance and target priority
Forest Prowlers deliver their best value when they can stay at range and focus one target at a time. Their 20-range rifle and heavy-infantry multiplier make them effective against a slow push, but cavalry can cross the distance quickly. Keep them behind Tomahawks or use terrain that limits cavalry access, then focus Doppelsoldners, Musketeers, or artillery crews before they reach the line. If the opponent has counter-skirmishers, reposition rather than relying on stealth alone; detection and range still determine whether the ambush succeeds.
Late-game improvements
Champion Forest Prowlers add 25% health and damage for 400 wood and 200 coin; Legendary adds 50% for 1,500 of each resource. Their automatic Elite upgrade in the Fortress Age arrives without a separate cost, making the unit a strong timing option as soon as the Haudenosaunee reaches that age.
Using range against siege
Their range 20 lets them support a wall defense and focus heavy infantry attempting to breach it. Keep a mobile screen ready to intercept cavalry before it reaches the rifle line.
Stealth and withdrawal
A hidden Prowler can reveal its position with a volley, but the unit's speed remains 4.0. After the ambush, regroup behind the frontline rather than trying to outrun cavalry in the open.
Production buildings
War Huts provide the standard Haudenosaunee production route, while Forts and American Citadels can add production closer to the front. Forward production shortens reinforcement travel, but protect it from the artillery the Prowlers are meant to counter.
Fortress Age role
The automatic Elite upgrade makes Forest Prowlers a natural Fortress Age investment for a Haudenosaunee army that needs long-range pressure.
Stealth ranged infantry for ambushes
The Forest Prowler combines long range with a stealth ability, making it suited to ambushes against Heavy Infantry and light Cavalry. Place it near a pass, resource route or other approach where it can reveal itself at a favorable moment. Its attack is strongest at range; in hand-to-hand combat it is at a disadvantage against most units. Use terrain and allied troops to keep enemies from closing on the Prowlers.
Reveal only when the engagement is favorable
Stealth creates an opportunity to choose the first volley, not immunity from detection or retaliation. Avoid revealing a small group into a larger army or near defensive buildings. Once the ambush lands, reposition and preserve the unit rather than holding a poor melee fight. Forest Prowlers work well as support for a main force that can hold the front, and they can deter light Cavalry from attacking exposed ranged units. Their stealth and range make scouting the approach important before deployment.