Sepoy
The Sepoy is Indian Heavy Infantry and a core frontline unit. Its musket attack gives India a direct answer to Cavalry and protects specialized ranged troops such as Gurkhas.
Recorded values
- Available
- Commerce Age · Indian Barracks; Fort; Agra Fort; Galleon; American Citadel
- Training
- 38 sec · 1 population · 12 XP per train
- Durability & mobility
- 180 hit points · 20% hand resistance · 4.0 speed · 16 line of sight
- Hand attack
- 17 damage · 1.5 attack interval · bonuses: 2.0x vs. Cavalry; 1.5x vs. Shock troops
- Ranged attack
- 25 damage · 12 range · 3.0 attack interval
- Siege attack
- 19 damage · 6 range · 3.0 attack interval
Role & counters
Sepoys can fight mounted units in melee and deal siege damage, but massed Heavy Infantry are vulnerable to Skirmishers and similar Light Infantry. Indian production also draws on the civilization’s distinctive resource economy, so replacing losses competes with other army investments.
When to field it
Use Sepoys as the front line for Gurkhas, Sowars or artillery. Add Skirmishers or Cavalry when the opponent brings ranged counters that can wear Sepoys down. Keep the line moving rather than allowing it to absorb artillery fire without support.
Training profile and core statistics
The Sepoy is Indian Heavy infantry introduced with The Asian Dynasties and available in the Commerce Age. It costs 90 Food and 30 Coin, takes 38 seconds to train and uses one population. The current profile lists 180 hit points, 20% hand resistance, speed 4 and line of sight 16. Its musket attack deals 25 damage at range 12 every three seconds; its hand attack deals 17 damage every 1.5 seconds and has a 2 times multiplier against Cavalry and 1.5 against Shock troops. These high base values make the Sepoy a substantial Indian frontline unit, but its cost is above that of an ordinary Musketeer. Keep production steady and protect the resources needed for the next shipment or Wonder.
Heavy infantry and cavalry matchups
Sepoys combine a strong ranged attack with a useful anti-cavalry hand attack. Their musket fire can challenge Heavy infantry and Light ranged cavalry, while their melee multipliers make a direct cavalry charge costly. This gives the unit a flexible front-line role, but it does not make the Sepoy a counter to every class. Artillery can attack the infantry mass, and ranged units with suitable multipliers can wear it down from a safe distance. Keep Sepoys in a formation that can answer cavalry while supporting Gurkhas, artillery or cavalry of their own. Focus fire on units threatening the rest of the army rather than splitting the Sepoys across several targets.
Cost and early-game timing
The Sepoy is stronger but more expensive than a standard Musketeer in the comparison provided by the source: a typical Sepoy costs 90 Food and 30 Coin and takes 38 seconds, while the comparison Musketeer costs fewer resources and trains faster. Early in the Commerce Age, the Sepoy can win favorable ranged engagements against several other musket units, but other civilizations may surpass it after applying Home City cards and upgrades. Produce enough Sepoys to use their early strength without draining the economy that must fund Hindu Villagers, Age advancement and a second unit type. A mass that is not supported by shipments or upgrades may lose its advantage later.
Cards that change production and economy
Battlefield Constructions can allow Sepoys to build military structures such as Barracks, Caravanserais and Castles, giving them a forward construction role. Zamindaras changes future Home City shipments so they deliver Sepoys in place of most Hindu Villager shipments, with a stated exception for Admiralty. This is a major economic decision: the card converts a stream of workers into military units, so use it when the Indian economy can sustain itself and a military push is planned. Sepoy Resistance can convert Villagers into Sepoys in the Industrial Age at a large Wood cost, except for specified nonstandard workers. That card resembles a late-game transformation and should be treated as a commitment rather than an ordinary reinforcement.
Upgrade path and army role over time
Sepoys can be upgraded through the Indian military system and Home City cards, and their role should evolve with the opponent’s army. A core of improved Sepoys can screen Gurkhas or artillery, while mounted units cover threats that the infantry cannot chase. If the opponent’s Heavy infantry is the main target, ranged support can complement the Sepoy line; if cavalry is dominant, retain the Sepoys’ hand counter and avoid leaving them without ranged cover. Because the unit costs both Food and Coin, compare its upgrades with the resources needed for a Wonder and Consulate purchases. See the unit’s technology and card entries for exact conditions in each supported release.
Shipment sequencing and formation
Most Indian Home City shipments provide a Hindu Villager, so a Sepoy shipment or a card that changes shipment contents can alter both army strength and worker growth. Set the rally point behind the existing formation and keep the new Sepoys together with their support. Their movement speed is 4, which is not enough to catch all cavalry or retreat safely from every counter. Use them to hold the line and let mobile units choose the engagement. When a shipment arrives, deploy it before the opponent can isolate it and target any unit type the Sepoys are equipped to fight.
Shipment replacement changes the economy
Zamindaras changes the worker flow attached to future Home City shipments, replacing most Hindu Villager deliveries with two Sepoys. This can create a regular reinforcement stream, but the workers that would have accompanied the cards are lost. Use it after the economy has enough Villagers and when the battlefield can use recurring military arrivals. If the economy still needs workers, do not assume the card’s Sepoys will replace the missing gathering. The Admiralty exception has a different shipment result, so include it when planning the deck.
Build forward production only when protected
Battlefield Constructions lets Sepoys build selected military structures, including Barracks, Caravanserais and Castles. This can shorten the route to the front and establish a rally point, but it removes troops from combat while they build. Escort the builders and choose a site the army can defend; a forward building that falls before it trains units does not repay the card.
Maintain value after the early Age
The Sepoy’s early strength can fade when opponents add Home City cards and unit upgrades. Preserve the units that have already received improvements, and add ranged support or cavalry as the matchup develops. If Sepoys become a shipment stream through Zamindaras, use the arriving units to maintain a screen while other production answers artillery or ranged counters. Avoid treating the Commerce Age advantage as permanent; upgrade the line and change the army composition before it becomes an expensive target.
Coordinate with Indian support units
Sepoys anchor the infantry line while Gurkhas attack enemy infantry from range and cavalry units pursue targets. The combination covers more matchups than a Sepoy-only force and lets each unit focus on its intended role.
Protect the expensive infantry core
Sepoys cost more and train longer than a Musketeer, so preserve damaged units instead of trading them for ordinary ranged fire. Their 180 hit points and 20 percent hand resistance help them hold the front, but they remain vulnerable to concentrated artillery. Use cover and supporting units to keep the core alive for upgrades.
Balance the next production queue
Leave Food and Coin available for the next Wonder, shipment-supported force or Consulate purchase.
Plan the shipment transition
If Zamindaras is part of the deck, estimate how many Hindu Villagers would otherwise arrive before changing the shipment flow. The added Sepoys strengthen the army but do not gather resources. Secure the economy first and use the replacement stream only when production can support its military timing.
Use the Sepoy as an anchor
Keep Sepoys in the center of the Indian formation, where their hit points and anti-cavalry attack can protect Gurkhas and artillery. Let ranged support focus infantry, and use cavalry to reach targets that retreat from the musket line. If Sepoys are left alone, their slow speed makes it difficult to choose a favorable fight or escape artillery. Preserve the core through upgrades and replace losses only when the economy can afford the cost.
Avoid an unsupported advance
Bring ranged or cavalry support before moving the Sepoy line into artillery range.
Protect the next reinforcement
Rally each new shipment behind the existing Sepoy screen.
Indian Commerce Age musket Infantry
The Sepoy is the Indian heavy ranged Infantry unit, available at the Indian Barracks, Fort, Agra Fort and eligible ships. It costs 90 Food and 30 Coin, takes 38 seconds to train, occupies one population and has 180 hit points with 20% hand resistance. Its ranged attack deals 25 damage at range 12 every three seconds; its hand attack deals 17 damage and has a 2× bonus against Cavalry and 1.5× against Shock troops. The 19-damage Siege attack contributes when the army reaches buildings. This mix gives India a durable musket line that can trade at range and defend itself when Cavalry closes. Its cost and single-population use support a sizeable force, but it still needs Skirmishers or artillery support for threats its musket profile does not handle efficiently.
Production and formation choices
The Agra Fort can provide a forward production option, but its placement should support a protected army route rather than sit isolated from reinforcements. Barracks production is safer at home and easier to sustain when the opponent controls the center. Galleon or other ship access is map-dependent, so do not include naval training in a land-only build plan. Sepoys can screen artillery and other ranged units from Cavalry; add complementary units against heavy Infantry or opposing guns. Use their 12 range to begin firing before contact, then keep the formation compact enough that supporting units can respond if Cavalry dives. The Sepoy’s attack bonuses are target-specific, so scout the enemy composition before committing Food and Coin to an all-Sepoy army.
Sepoy stat changes across Definitive Edition updates
The current Sepoy trains in 38 seconds, compared with 34 seconds before update 13.27885, and has 180 hit points versus 190 before Definitive Edition. Its hand attack is now 17 damage; the source lists 18 before patch 15.30007 and 15 before update 13.58326. The Cavalry multiplier is currently 2.0×, compared with 1.75× before patch 15.30007 and 3.0× before update 13.58326. Against Shock Troops the current multiplier is 1.5×, compared with 1.2× before patch 15.30007 and 2.25× before update 13.58326. Its siege attack is currently 19, versus 22 before update 13.58326. Older values describe different balance snapshots and should not be combined with the current profile.