AOE IV / Game Systems
Counters and Armor
Unit matchups depend on armor type, attack bonuses, movement and range. Spearmen deter cavalry, Horsemen can reach vulnerable ranged infantry, and…
Overview
Unit matchups depend on armor type, attack bonuses, movement and range. Spearmen deter cavalry, Horsemen can reach vulnerable ranged infantry, and Crossbowmen punish armored targets.
Use in play
Scout the enemy composition before spending heavily on a single unit line; combine units that cover one another’s weaknesses.
Read the matchup
Unit counters come from explicit bonus damage, armor interactions, range, movement and the ability to choose an engagement. Spearmen punish cavalry, Horsemen can threaten exposed ranged infantry, and Crossbowmen are built to pressure heavy targets. These are role relationships, not guarantees: upgrades, formations, terrain and supporting units change the outcome.
Build a combined army
When scouting shows one strong enemy line, add the unit that answers it and protect that counter from its own weakness. For example, ranged units can punish Spearmen that screen cavalry, while cavalry can threaten the ranged line. Use the individual unit entries for listed strengths and counters, then adapt as the opponent changes production.
