Composite Bowman
ArcherBase values, before Blacksmith upgrades. The Blacksmith raises attack and armour for infantry, cavalry and archers — Blast Furnace, for instance, gives "+2 Attack for infantry & cavalry". Late in a game, the real numbers are higher.
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Composite Bowman
Castle
Elite Composite Bowman
ImperialThe coach's briefing
Commander, the Composite Bowman is Armenia's anti-cavalry archer. He fires special arrows that deal bonus damage to cavalry, making him the perfect answer to knight rushes. At only 35W/45G, he's cheap enough to mass produce. Use Composite Bowmen against cavalry-heavy civilizations like Franks or Persians. They shred knights while staying mobile.
STRONG AGAINST
You win these trades cost-effectively.
WEAK AGAINST
Avoid these fights or bring support.
Just lost against this unit?
Your coach names the counters during the match — not once the game is over.
Strategic Analysis
Tactical Identity
Anti-cavalry archer specialist
Tactical Playbook
Knight Counter
Bonus damage to cavalry means Composite Bowmen melt knight rushes. Mass them early against cavalry civs.
Hit and Run
Standard archer speed allows kiting cavalry. Retreat while firing to maximize damage.
Cheap Massing
Low wood cost (35W) compared to other archers makes them easier to mass in Castle Age.
Critical Point
Only 40 HP with 0 armor. Skirmishers and siege destroy them quickly. Always have a meatshield.
Understanding The Stats
Composite Bowmen combine archer mobility with anti-cavalry specialization. They fill a unique niche as ranged cavalry counters.
Base Attack
Standard archer damage plus cavalry bonus
Range
Decent range for hit-and-run tactics
Standard Speed
Same as other archers for kiting
Cheap Cost
Lower wood cost than crossbowmen
Coach's Tip
40 HP is fragile. Your job is to kill cavalry before they reach you. Micro is essential.
Mechanics & Bonuses
Attack Bonuses
| Target | Bonus Dmg |
|---|---|
| Spearman | +2 |
Armor Classes
Archer
Vulnerable to Skirmishers and Huskarls.
Unique Unit
Vulnerable to units with bonus damage vs this class.
Key Upgrades
Civilizations
* 1 civilizations have access to this unit.
Other Units
AoE Coach analysis
Context & meta
The Composite Bowman is the Armenian unique Foot Archer, costing 35 wood and 45 gold for 40 HP, 4 attack, 1/0 armor, range 4, speed 0.96, and line of sight 7. It ignores armor and carries +2 against Cavalry in the local unit data, while the official help gives the categories: Strong vs. Infantry and Cavalry; Weak vs. Archery Units and Siege Weapons. Armenia makes the timing more flexible with Mule Cart discounts and earlier Spearman- and Militia-line upgrades, but the 40 HP body still needs a screen.
History & balance
Composite Bowman design combines a standard Foot Archer body with two clear answers to common defenses: armor is ignored and Cavalry takes bonus damage. The current cost of 35 wood/45 gold and 12-second train time make the unit practical to mass, but 40 HP and only 1/0 armor keep it vulnerable to the categories in its official Weak vs. text. Armenian bonuses support a mixed army: Mule Carts cost 25% less, their technologies are 40% more effective, and Spearman- and Militia-line upgrades arrive one Age earlier except Man-at-Arms. The unit is an anti-armor and anti-cavalry core, not a universal archer.
In pro play
Use Composite Bowmen when the opponent is paying for cavalry or heavy armor and you can protect a range-based formation. Twelve seconds of training, 35 wood/45 gold, range 4, and +2 versus Cavalry give Armenia a direct answer without waiting for a slow melee line. Keep the 40 HP bodies behind infantry or buildings, focus one armored target at a time, and use the armor-ignoring attack to make expensive protection less valuable. Armenian early infantry upgrades can supply the screen while the Bowmen mass. Do not chase siege or enemy archers into open ground: their official weak categories remain real.
How to counter it
The classic mistake is to answer Composite Bowmen with armored units and assume armor will reduce their special damage, or to keep a siege mass exposed. The official help gives the weak categories: Archery Units and Siege Weapons. Elite Skirmishers have +4 against Archers, while Mangonels or Onagers use area damage as a mechanical answer to a low-HP ranged mass. Keep the skirmishers protected, spread the siege, and focus the Composite Bowmen before cavalry tries to close. If you keep losing to Composite Bowmen without knowing what to produce or when, AoE Coach reads your match-up and gives you the counter composition and timing.