Frontiersmen
Frontiersmen is an Exploration Age Market technology for the United States and Mexicans in Definitive Edition. It improves Villager durability and visibility, and also benefits units that receive Villager upgrades. Fishing Boats count as Villagers for this effect, so the upgrade can extend beyond workers on land.
Research profile
Effect
The technology costs 115 Food and takes 20 seconds. Villagers gain 35% hit points, six additional line of sight and six additional ranged attack range. Units affected by Villager upgrades gain 10% hit points, two line of sight and one ranged attack range. Fishing Boats are affected because of their Villager classification. The larger bonus belongs to Villagers; do not apply it to every unit in the army.
Research condition
Definitive Edition; United States or Mexicans; Exploration Age; Market; 20 seconds; 115 Food; Villagers +35% hit points, +6 line of sight and +6 ranged attack range; Villager-upgrade-affected units +10% hit points, +2 line of sight and +1 ranged attack range. Fishing Boats are affected.
Research decision
Research it when workers or Fishing Boats are exposed to scouting and raids, or when the smaller secondary bonus supports units already receiving Villager upgrades. Extra sight can reveal an approaching threat earlier, while hit points provide more time to react. It does not turn Villagers into a substitute for military protection, and its value falls if the relevant units are not in play.
Villager classification includes Fishing Boats
Fishing Boats are included because the game classifies them as Villagers for this upgrade. This can make the research relevant to a water economy as well as land workers. The direct Villager bonuses should not be confused with the smaller effect applied to other units affected by Villager upgrades.
Visibility and range help with warning time
The six-point line-of-sight increase can reveal more of the area around a worker, while additional ranged attack range changes how far the unit can respond to a target. These are supporting benefits; safe gathering routes, scouting and military coverage still determine whether a worker can survive a committed raid.