Archer (Civ5)

Archer
Archery unit of the Ancient Era
Introduced in Civilization V
Cost
Production	40
Production	40
Stats
Combat strength	5
Combat strength	5
Moves	2
Moves	2
Range	2
Range	2
Ranged strength	7
Ranged strength	7
Required
Technology	Archery
Upgrades to
Composite Bowman
Composite Bowman
Notes
May not melee attack

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Game Info

First ranged unit in the game.

• Common abilities:
  • Unable to melee attack.

Strategy

The Archer is the earliest ranged unit, armed with the first simple bows. Because it can attack enemies with impunity up to 2 hexes away, it is critically important in the first skirmishes with Barbarians, or when attacking enemy cities early in the game.

However, the Archer is fairly weak when attacked by other units, especially in melee. Assign it to garrison cities or keep it behind your front lines, protected by melee units. Also, position it on hills whenever possible - these vantage points will allow it to use its full range while also using the natural defense of the terrain.

Civilopedia entry

Archery may have been invented as long as 10,000-15,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic Age. It may have been invented in one place and spread, or, more likely, archery was invented in multiple places around the world. In the centuries before gunpowder, most ancient civilizations employed archers in their armies. The Korean armies possessed particularly fine archers during the 600-year Choson period, while the English longbow dominated the European battlefields during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Unofficial custom card

Custom homemade card featuring the Archer.

Gallery

See also

• Archer in other games