The Heavy Cavalry Archer is countered by Elite Skirmisher, Heavy Camel Rider and Imperial Camel Rider. It is a cavalry archer unit of the Cav Archer Line, and it wins against Halberdier and Legionary.
- Class
- Cavalry Archer
- Line
- Cav Archer Line
- Available to
- All civilizations
- Cost
-
40 
60
Heavy Cavalry Archer stats
 Hit points | 60 |
|---|---|
 Melee attack | 0 |
 Pierce attack | 7 / 2s |
 Range | 4 |
 Melee armour | 1 |
 Pierce armour | 0 |
 Speed | 1.4 |
| Accuracy | 80% |
 Line of sight | 6 |
 Training time | 30s |
What counters the Heavy Cavalry Archer?
The Heavy Cavalry Archer is weak against Skirmishers, Scorpions and units at close range.
Hard counters deal bonus damage against this unit — they beat the Heavy Cavalry Archer even at a cost disadvantage. Soft counters win the fight through cost-efficiency or mobility, without a dedicated bonus.
| Counter | Type | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
 Elite Skirmisher | hard | Attack bonus vs. archers |
 Heavy Camel Rider | hard | Attack bonus vs. cavalry |
 Imperial Camel Rider | hard | Strongest camel counter |
 Elite Genitour | hard | UU (Berbers) – Mobile skirmisher with bonus vs. mounted archers |
 Elite Camel Archer | hard | UU (Berbers) – Bonus vs. mounted archers |
 Mangonel | soft | Area damage |
 Hussar | soft | Can catch up, but damage is a question mark |
What does the Heavy Cavalry Archer counter?
The Heavy Cavalry Archer is strong against slow units at long range.
One representative per unit line — the whole line behaves the same way in this matchup.
-
Halberdier soft -
Legionary soft
Unique units the Heavy Cavalry Archer beats
-
Elite Teutonic Knight hard -
Teutonic Knight hard -
Elite Liao Dao soft -
Elite Serjeant soft -
Elite White Feather Guard soft -
Elite Woad Raider soft -
Urumi Swordsman soft
Other units the Heavy Cavalry Archer beats
-
Elite Konnik (Dismounted) soft -
Trebuchet soft
Civilizations that improve the Heavy Cavalry Archer
14 civilizations have a bonus or unique technology that affects this unit.
Cumans
- Mounted Units move +5/10/15% faster in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
- Steppe Husbandry (unique tech): Scout Cavalry-line, Steppe Lancers and Cavalry Archers train +100% faster
Franks
- Mounted Units +20% HP starting in Feudal Age
Georgians
- Mounted Units regenerate 2/8/14 HP per minute in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
- Aznauri Cavalry (unique tech): Mounted Units take -20% population space
Gurjaras
- Mounted Units deal +20/30/40% bonus damage in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
Huns
- Cavalry Archers cost -10/20% in Castle/Imperial Age
Japanese
- Cavalry Archers +2 attack vs. Ranged Soldiers (except Skirmishers)
Jurchens
- Mounted Units and Fire Lancers attack +25% faster starting in Feudal Age
Khitans
- Heavy Cavalry Archer upgrade available in Castle Age and costs -50%
Magyars
- Recurve Bow (unique tech): Mounted Archers +1 attack, +1 range
Mapuche
- Mounted Units generate +3 gold when defeating military units
Mongols
- Cavalry Archers attack +25% faster
Tatars
- Silk Armor (unique tech): Scout Cavalry-line, Steppe Lancers and Cavalry Archers +1 melee/+1 pierce armor
Turks
- Sipahi (unique tech): Mounted Archers +20 HP
Wei
- Ming Guang Armor (unique tech): Mounted Units +4 melee armor
The Cav Archer Line
-
Cavalry Archer - Heavy Cavalry Archer
- Elite Cavalry Archer
For the strategy behind these matchups — when to build counters, how to mix them and which civs do it best — see the Cavalry Archer Counters guide.
Facing something other than Heavy Cavalry Archers?
Search any of the 228 units by name and get its counters ranked instantly.
Search any unit →