Quick overview
| Type | Defensive, Ranged |
|---|---|
| Source | Barracks level 6 |
| Cost | 158 |
| Recommendation | Situationally |
rating
Veteran Longbow Archer is a defensive ranged unit for late game and its main strength is defense against ranged 134. That's the number you build it for - it holds against enemy archers much better than a universal defender. Defense against melee 67 isn't low for a ranged unit, but it clearly shows where this unit is aimed. Attack 17 means you're not attacking anywhere with it, it's defensive and that's final. You unlock it through research in the Research Tower, which replaces the regular Longbow Archer with this veteran version, and further research levels increase its level.
How to use it
In practice you put it exclusively in castle defense, mainly on walls against waves of enemy ranged units. With defense against ranged 134 it keeps far more pieces alive there than a regular unit, so the attacker pays more for the same breakthrough. Against melee it has 67, which is decent for a ranged unit, but it's still half that ranged defense number, so the specialization is clear. Cost 158 gold and consumption 3 food aren't exactly cheap for mass production, but as the backbone of anti-ranged defense it pays off. Speed 32 you'll only deal with when moving units between your own castles and bases, otherwise they stay home on the walls anyway.
What to combine it with
Specialization 134/67 means it's strongest against ranged but doesn't hold as much against melee, so don't put it on the wall alone. Supplement it with a defensive unit focused on melee, ideally the typical defensive melee unit your server uses, so you have both attack directions covered. Then the enemy gets no cheap breakthrough either through ranged or through melee. Add defensive tools against ranged and tower bonuses, both add to all defenders on the wall and precisely with a unit with such high base defense does every extra percent show the most.
Weaknesses and what to avoid
Don't build it into attacking armies, Attack 17 accomplishes nothing outside and you're just wasting food on units that belong at home. And don't get into its research until you're actually in late game. If you're a new player, you have more important things to do in the Research Tower and this unit doesn't make sense for you yet. Also don't take it as defense that covers absolutely everything alone - outside its anti-ranged role always combine it with something else.
Related units
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