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Furthermore, the +1 Range promotion transfers when the units are upgraded to [[Gatling gun (Civ5)|Gatling Guns]], so the English can potentially become the only civilization whose late-game ranged units have 2 range. |
Furthermore, the +1 Range promotion transfers when the units are upgraded to [[Gatling gun (Civ5)|Gatling Guns]], so the English can potentially become the only civilization whose late-game ranged units have 2 range. |
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| − | They, however, lack the Indirect Fire promotion which may allow only a few hexes from where a city can be bombarded. |
+ | They, however, lack the Indirect Fire promotion which may allow only a few hexes from where a city can be bombarded. But should them find a convenient location, their range allows them to safely build their experience level, especially on longer game speed which mean there will be plenty of time until more powerful units arrive. |
==Historical Info== |
==Historical Info== |
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Revision as of 13:34, 22 August 2014
Back to the list of units
==Game Info==
Unique ranged unit of the English civilization. Replaces the Crossbowman.
- Common traits:
- Unable to melee attack.
- Special traits:
- Extra Range +1
Strategy
Longbowmen are the only pre-Industrial Era unit capable of firing 3 tiles away. This gives the English a unique advantage mid-game, allowing them unmatched firing range. Often Longbowmen stationed safely in cities may fire upon half the advancing enemy army, and in offense they may fire at cities outside their defensive range, as Artillery later can. An experienced player may set up Forts at strategic points and station Longbowmen there to gain crucial positional advantage. Furthermore, the +1 Range promotion transfers when the units are upgraded to Gatling Guns, so the English can potentially become the only civilization whose late-game ranged units have 2 range.
They, however, lack the Indirect Fire promotion which may allow only a few hexes from where a city can be bombarded. But should them find a convenient location, their range allows them to safely build their experience level, especially on longer game speed which mean there will be plenty of time until more powerful units arrive.
Historical Info
The English longbow developed during the 12th century, during the conquest of Wales. The longbow was made from yew or elm, and was five to seven feet in height (depending upon the height and strength of the user). The longbow was extremely difficult to master, but well-trained English longbowmen could shoot farther, faster and more accurately than the crossbowmen of the day. But this did require years of training. As the country's population grew the English wilderness was transformed into farmland. Opportunities for hunting disappeared and the English yeomen became less proficient with bow and arrow. This, more so even than the advent of gunpowder, led to the decline of the English longbow.