Knife Thrower
Knife Thrower is scenario-specific ranged infantry used by the Ethiopians and Somalians in Christopher da Gama’s Expedition, a Historical Battle in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition. It replaces the Tomahawk in that scenario roster and is selectable in the Scenario Editor; it is not a standard Commerce Age unit in ordinary civilization matches.
Recorded values
- Available
- Commerce Age
- Training
- 10 XP per train
- Durability & mobility
- 120 hit points · 10% hand resistance · 6.0 speed · 16 line of sight
- Hand attack
- 14 damage · 1.5 attack interval · bonuses: Same as ranged attack
- Ranged attack
- 12 range · 1.5 attack interval · bonuses: 3.0x vs. Cavalry; 2.5x vs. Shock troops
- Siege attack
- 14 damage · 6 range · 3.0 attack interval
Role, availability & values
The scenario profile has 120 hit points, 10% hand resistance, 6.0 speed and 16 line of sight. Its ranged attack deals 19 damage at range 12 every 1.5 seconds, with a 3.0× multiplier against Cavalry and 2.5× against Shock troops. At close range it deals 14 hand damage with the same bonuses; its siege attack deals 14 at range 6 every 3 seconds. The separately named Outlaw and Reckless variants have different profiles.
Matchup & timing
Use Knife Throwers as a mobile screen against mounted charges: their multipliers make each volley especially costly to Cavalry and Shock troops. They have only 120 hit points, so keep them behind sturdier units and avoid letting melee troops pin them. Their ordinary ranged damage can contribute against other targets but does not make them a universal replacement for an army’s ranged line. Scenario rules determine their numbers and support.
Keep scenario variants distinct
This entry refers to the unit used in Christopher da Gama’s Expedition and listed as INF SPC Knife Thrower in the Scenario Editor. Do not confuse it with the Reckless Knife Thrower guardian or Knife Thrower (Outlaw), which have separate health, damage and rules. The Historical Battle version’s values explain its role; they do not establish a normal Barracks training option for the Ethiopians or Somalians.