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Hand Cannoneer

Powerful gunpowder infantry that devastates other infantry units. Requires Chemistry to unlock. Has low accuracy but massive damage per shot.

Tactical Briefing

The Hand Cannoneer is your infantry deletion button. With +10 bonus damage against Infantry, you shred Champions, Halberdiers, and even the feared Huskarls. Your 17 attack at range 7 is devastating. However, you only have 65% accuracy - micro carefully and let enemies clump up. Avoid Skirmishers and fast cavalry at all costs. Remember: you require Chemistry research first. Classes: Archer and Gunpowder Unit.

Statistics

HP
40
Attack
17
Melee Armor
1
Pierce Armor
0
Range
7
Speed
0.96

Cost

  • Food: 45
  • Gold: 50

Strong Against

Weak Against

Strategic Analysis

The Hand Cannoneer is the **infantry nightmare**. When your opponent goes heavy into Champions or Halberdiers, Hand Cannoneers are the hard counter that melts them from range before they can close the gap.

  • Anti-Infantry Specialist: Position them behind your front line. Their 17 attack + 10 bonus = 27 damage per shot against infantry. Champions die in 3 volleys.
  • Gunpowder Timing: Available only after researching Chemistry (Imperial Age). Plan your transition - they're expensive at 45F/50G but worth it against infantry-heavy opponents.
  • Mass & Volley: Their 65% accuracy means missing shots. Counter this by massing them - 20 Hand Cannoneers hitting 65% of shots is still devastating against clumped infantry.

Warning: Extremely vulnerable to **Skirmishers** (bonus damage vs Archer class), **Hussars** (fast, cheap, can close the gap), and especially **Condottiero** who take no bonus damage from you.

Attack Bonuses

  • +10 vs Infantry
  • +1 vs Spearman

Available Civilizations

Berbers, Bohemians, Burgundians, Byzantines, Dravidians, Franks, Georgians, Goths, Gurjaras, Hindustanis, Italians, Japanese, Khmer, Koreans, Lithuanians, Malians, Persians, Portuguese, Saracens, Spanish, Tatars, Teutons, Turks