The Composite Bowman is countered by Skirmisher, Mangonel and Onager. It is a Archer / Unique unit, available to the Armenians.
- Class
- Archer / Unique
- Available to
- Armenians
- Elite upgrade
- Elite Composite Bowman
- Cost
-
35 
45
Composite Bowman stats
The Elite Composite Bowman upgrade changes the values marked below. Everything else — cost, class and the civilization bonuses that apply — stays the same.
| Stat | Composite Bowman | Elite |
|---|---|---|
 Hit points | 40 | 45 |
 Melee attack | 0 | 0 |
 Pierce attack | 4 / 2s | 4 / 2s |
 Range | 4 | 4 |
 Melee armour | 1 | 2 |
 Pierce armour | 0 | 0 |
 Speed | 0.96 | 0.96 |
 Line of sight | 7 | 7 |
 Training time | 12s | 10s |
What counters the Composite Bowman?
The Composite Bowman is weak against Archery Units and Siege Weapons.
Hard counters deal bonus damage against this unit — they beat the Composite Bowman even at a cost disadvantage. Soft counters win the fight through cost-efficiency or mobility, without a dedicated bonus.
| Counter | Type | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
 Skirmisher | hard | Attack bonus vs. archers |
 Mangonel | hard | Area damage |
 Onager | hard | Area damage |
 Hussar | soft | Fast, closes in |
 Elite Huskarl | soft | UU (Goths) – Pierce-resistant |
What does the Composite Bowman counter?
The Composite Bowman is strong against Infantry and Cavalry.
Unit lines the Composite Bowman has a damage bonus against
Civilizations that improve the Composite Bowman
11 civilizations have a bonus or unique technology that affects this unit.
Cumans
- Archery Ranges and Stables cost -75 wood
Dravidians
- Skirmishers and Elephant Archers attack +25% faster
Gurjaras
- Frontier Guards (unique tech): Camel Riders and Elephant Archers +4 melee armor
Koreans
- Archer armor and tower upgrades free (Bombard Tower requires Chemistry)
Muisca
- Champi Warriors and Archery Range Units +1/2/3 melee armor in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
- Herbalism (unique tech): Archer-line and Champi Warriors move +15% faster
Persians
- Kamandaran (unique tech): Archer-line gold cost replaced by additional wood cost
Shu
- Archery Unit technologies at the Archery Range and Blacksmith cost -25%
- Bolt Magazine (unique tech): Archer-line, War Chariots and Lou Chuans fire additional projectiles
Tupi
- Archery Range and Barracks upgrades cost -50% food
Vietnamese
- Archery Range units and Fire Lancers +20% HP
Vikings
- Bogsveigar (unique tech): Archer-line and Longboats +1 attack
Wu
- Red Cliffs Tactics (unique tech): Demolition Ships and Fire Archers deal fire damage to ships and buildings
For the strategy behind these matchups — when to build counters, how to mix them and which civs do it best — see the Unique Unit Counters guide.
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