Socket Bayonet
Socket Bayonet is a Commerce Age Arsenal upgrade that increases all melee attacks by Musket Infantry by 20%. It strengthens their close-range fallback rather than their ranged volley.
Research profile
- Age
- Commerce Age
- Civilization
- Africans; Europeans; Federal Americans; Japanese
- Research location
- Arsenal
- Research time
- 30 seconds
- Wood cost
- 100
- Coin cost
- 100
- Effect
- Musket infantry all melee attack damage +20%
Effect
The effect applies when Musket Infantry use melee attacks, including their close-combat role against mounted threats. It does not improve the ranged attack, and other infantry classes do not receive the listed benefit.
Research condition
Commerce Age Arsenal research for African, European and Federal American civilizations, and Japanese through their available access. Current cost: 100 Wood and 100 Coin; research time: 30 seconds. African civilizations instead pay 200 Influence.
Research decision
Research before expecting Musketeers or another eligible Musket Infantry line to fight at close range. It is most relevant when Cavalry can force contact; prioritize other upgrades if the army will remain at range.
Improve melee fallback, not ranged fire
This Commerce Age Arsenal upgrade adds 20% damage to Musket Infantry melee attacks. It does not increase their ranged volley and does not apply to all infantry. Research it when the army will use melee attacks against mounted threats or close targets; otherwise, an upgrade to the ranged attack or a direct unit reinforcement may better match the plan.
Eligible units and historical costs
The upgrade applies to all melee attacks made by Musket Infantry, including Musketeers, Janissaries, Caroleans, Highlanders, Ashigaru, Revolutionaries, Pistoleros and Dacoits where those units and technologies are available. It is a class-based effect, not a bonus to every unit holding a firearm: Grenadier-type units no longer receive it in the Definitive Edition. Meritocracy can reduce the research cost by 20%. The price has also changed across releases: the original game listed 400 Wood and 400 Coin; Definitive Edition reduced it to 200 of each, and update 13.9057 lowered the current European-style cost to 100 of each. Treat version, civilization access and the unit’s in-game class as part of the technology description, especially when comparing older build orders.