Obuch
InfantryBase 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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Obuch
Castle
Elite Obuch
ImperialThe coach's briefing
The Obuch is a 'Reverse Blacksmith'. Instead of adding armor, it strips it away permanently. Each hit removes 1 Melee and 1 Pierce armor from the target. This effect stacks until armor reaches zero. Use them to soften up Paladins for your Arbalesters or to grind down enemy Champions. They are cheap and train fast, so mass them up!
STRONG AGAINST
You win these trades cost-effectively.
WEAK AGAINST
Avoid these fights or bring support.
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Your coach names the counters during the match — not once the game is over.
Strategic Analysis
Tactical Identity
The **Armor Crusher**. A durable frontline unit that acts as a force multiplier for your other units by debuffing enemies.
Tactical Playbook
Armor Stripping
Even if they don't kill the target, removing armor makes the enemy vulnerable to everything else. A Paladin hit 3 times by an Obuch dies instantly to Arbalesters.
Anti-Trash
Because they have high HP and strip armor, they excel in prolonged fights against Hussars and Halberdiers, where they can grind down the opponent cost-effectively.
Massing
With a fast train time (12s) and low cost (20g), you can flood the map with them faster than your opponent can mass expensive counters.
Critical Point
Weak to **Hand Cannoneers**. Their high armor doesn't help against Gunpowder, and they lack the speed to close the gap quickly. Archers can also kite them effectively.
Understanding The Stats
A stat block designed for attrition. High HP allows them to stay in the fight long enough for their armor-stripping mechanic to turn the tide.
The Debuff
Permanent reduction per hit. Works on units, not buildings. Floor is 0.
Tankiness
Elite Obuch has significantly higher HP than a Champion (70), making them great tanks.
Economy
Very light on gold. You can sustain production much longer than typical unique units.
Coach's Tip
Your 95 HP (Elite) and low gold cost make you the PERFECT attrition unit. Flood the field with Obuchs - even if they die, every hit strips permanent armor from enemies.
Mechanics & Bonuses
Attack Bonuses
| Target | Bonus Dmg |
|---|---|
| Standard Building | +4 |
| Eagle Warrior | +2 |
Armor Classes
Infantry
Takes bonus damage from Hand Cannoneers, Slingers, and anti-infantry unique units.
Unique Unit
Vulnerable to units with bonus damage vs this class.
Key Upgrades
Civilizations
* 1 civilizations have access to this unit.
AoE Coach analysis
Context & meta
The Obuch is the Polish unique infantry, costing 55 food and 20 gold for 80 HP, 8 attack, 2/2 armor, 0.9 speed, and line of sight 3. The official help describes an armor-tearing attack, then gives the categories: Strong vs. Buildings, Cavalry and Infantry; Weak vs. Archery Units and Gunners. Its low gold price makes it easy to add to a Polish army, while the Polish economy replaces the Mill with the Folwark and gives villagers regeneration. Treat it as a close-range damage amplifier, not as a unit that wants to be shot.
History & balance
The Obuch packages Polish pressure around a special melee interaction: the longer it fights a target, the more valuable its armor-tearing role becomes. The current body is affordable at 55 food/20 gold, carries 2/2 armor and 80 HP, and moves at 0.9, so it can hold a line without behaving like fast cavalry. Polish bonuses support sustained production through Folwarks, regenerating villagers, stone miners that also generate gold, and cheaper Bloodlines and Scout Cavalry-line upgrades. The design rewards a player who reaches contact with enough Obuchs to make every subsequent melee exchange worse for the opponent.
In pro play
Use Obuchs as the first body into a melee where the opponent relies on armor to stabilize. Twelve seconds of training and a 55 food/20 gold cost let the Poles keep adding infantry, while 2/2 armor and 80 HP make the first contact credible. Keep them moving toward the same target instead of spreading the armor-tearing effect across several fights. Their 0.9 speed is a warning: use walls, cavalry, or terrain to choose the engagement before the opponent can kite them. Once the Obuchs have reached the expensive core, add your own ranged support and let the armor damage improve every follow-up hit.
How to counter it
The classic mistake is to answer Obuchs with armored melee units and let the armor-tearing attack improve every trade. The official help gives the weak categories: Archery Units and Gunners. Hand Cannoneers carry +10 against Infantry, Slingers +4, and Heavy Scorpions +2; all three attack the Obuch class without giving it a long melee exchange. Keep range, focus the front unit, and use buildings or a small screen to stop a sudden dive. Do not rely on a slow armored mirror just because the Obuch has only 8 attack. If you keep losing to Obuchs without knowing what to produce or when, AoE Coach reads your match-up and gives you the counter composition and timing.