Papal Zouave
The Papal Zouave is an Italian Industrial Age ranged Infantry unit delivered in groups of four from the Basilica. Its long-range attack and high ranged resistance support a durable firing line, while Deflection protects nearby allied Ranged Infantry only. Papal Arsenal adds a charged Carbine attack, but Cavalry and artillery still require a screen.
Recorded values
- Available
- Industrial Age · Basilica
- Training profile
- 45 sec · 2 population · 23 XP per unit
- Durability & mobility
- 300 hit points · 40% ranged resistance · 5.0 speed · 27 line of sight
- Support effect
- Deflects 25% of damage to nearby allied Ranged Infantry only · radius 12
- Idle regeneration
- 0.25% hit points per second after 3.5 sec idle
- Ranged attack
- 32 base damage · range 20 · attack interval 3.0
- Siege attack
- 17 base damage · range 6 · attack interval 3.0
- Hand attack
- 20 base damage · attack interval 1.5
- Carbine attack (charged)
- 64 base damage · range 25 · attack interval 3.0 · recharge 60 · requires Papal Arsenal card
- Experience bounty
- 23 XP for defeating the unit
Role, availability & values
Papal Zouaves arrive from the Basilica in groups of four for 300 Food, 300 Wood and 300 Coin; the shipment takes 60 seconds and does not use a Home City shipment card. The unit profile lists 2 population and 45 seconds of training time. It has 300 hit points, 40% ranged resistance, range 20 and 32 ranged damage. Its Deflection protects nearby Ranged Infantry only, absorbing 25% of eligible damage within 12 range; the current rule does not make it a general shield for Cavalry or artillery. The Papal Arsenal card adds a 64-damage Carbine attack at range 25. Use the Zouaves as a durable ranged line, keep other Ranged Infantry within the support radius and screen the group from Cavalry and artillery.
Matchup & timing
Keep this ranged unit behind a screen and let it fire before melee troops can reach it. Its listed attack reaches 20 range. Move it with the frontline as that screen advances, and reposition when cavalry or artillery gains a clear shot.
Industrial Age ranged infantry
The Papal Zouave is an Italian ranged infantry unit available in the Industrial Age through the Basilica. It has 300 hit points, 40% ranged resistance, speed 5, line of sight 27, uses two population and takes 45 seconds to train. Its ordinary ranged attack deals 32 damage at range 20 every three seconds; a charged Carbine attack reaches 25 and deals 64 damage. It also has a 20-damage hand attack and 17 siege damage. This profile makes it a durable long-range unit for supporting the Italian army, but it still needs a screen against Cavalry and melee units. Use the Carbine attack against a priority target at extended range, then continue with regular fire while it recharges. The Basilica is a key production building, so protect it and maintain enough resources to keep the unit queue active. Two population and an Industrial Age requirement make Papal Zouaves a later investment, not a substitute for early infantry. Their 40% ranged resistance helps when exchanging fire but does not remove the need to respond to cavalry counters. Pair them with Papal Guards or other Italian units that can protect the line. This unit belongs to Knights of the Mediterranean for Definitive Edition and should not be included in the original game’s Italian roster.
Carbine attack and line support
The Papal Zouave’s Carbine attack deals 64 damage at range 25, extending beyond its regular range-20 shot. Save the charged attack for a high-value target, then keep the unit in a protected firing line while it recharges. Its 300 hit points and 40% ranged resistance make it sturdy against ranged fire, but two-population cost and the Industrial Age requirement mean it is a later support unit. The Basilica is its production building; protect the structure and plan a queue before the engagement. Papal Zouaves work with Papal Guards and other Italian units that can screen cavalry, while their own 20-damage hand attack is not a reason to enter melee. Use them to pressure distant targets and support a siege or field engagement.
Basilica support
The Papal Zouave’s range and resistance make it useful behind the Maltese or Italian frontline, but it takes two population and requires Industrial Age access. Keep Cavalry counters away and use the charged Carbine on a target the army wants to remove.
Carbine and ranged role
The Papal Zouave’s charged Carbine reaches 25 and deals 64 damage, while its normal ranged attack reaches 20 for 32 damage. Use that longer shot against a priority target, then remain behind the Italian screen while it recharges.
Industrial Age entry
The Zouave becomes available late, so do not design an early build order around it. Prepare Basilica production and population space before the Industrial transition, then use the charged shot from behind supporting infantry.
Protect the Carbine line
The 64-damage Carbine attack reaches 25, giving the Zouave a powerful opening shot. Keep it behind the Italian frontline and use the regular 32-damage attack while the charged ability recharges.
Population and upgrade planning
Two population per Zouave means the army needs room for its Italian screen. Queue it before the Industrial Age fight and add upgrades that improve the unit only if it will remain in the composition.
Papal Zouave support role
The unit’s high ranged resistance and long reach let it trade fire while protected behind Italian melee units. Keep it out of direct Cavalry engagements and use the Carbine attack to remove a dangerous target before the main force closes.
Durable ranged gunpowder infantry
The Papal Zouave is ranged gunpowder infantry with more hit points, base attack and ranged resistance than most Skirmisher-type units in the documented comparison. It uses two population and lacks the usual multipliers against Heavy Infantry and light ranged Cavalry, so it is not a standard Skirmisher replacement. Its higher durability and attack make it useful as a resilient ranged line when the available Italian or Papal options support it.
Use a screen and account for population
Papal Zouaves still need protection from Cavalry and artillery. Keep anti-Cavalry units nearby and avoid spending so much population on Zouaves that there is no room for siege or support. Check the relevant Home City Card, mercenary access or production building for limits and costs. Their value comes from a sturdier ranged presence, not from counter bonuses against every infantry unit.
Ranged-infantry-only Deflection
The Papal Zouave’s Deflection applies to nearby allied Ranged Infantry, not to every unit around it. It absorbs 25% of eligible damage within 12 range. Keep other ranged infantry in that support radius and use a separate answer for approaching Cavalry or artillery. This current specialization followed an update that narrowed which allied units the Papal Zouave can protect; older advice that treats its effect as a general aura does not describe the current rule.
Basilica group cost and arrival time
A Basilica order sends four Papal Zouaves for 300 Food, 300 Wood and 300 Coin, with a 60-second arrival time. The group is delivered as a shipment and does not consume an available Home City shipment card, though previously sent cards can arrive first. Papal Arsenal reduces Basilica shipment time by 33%. Leave two population per Zouave and enough time for the batch to reach the fight before relying on it as the main ranged line.