Crossbows
Research

Crossbows

#Crossbows
🔒 Locked Research Military Tier3
Value: 200 pts

Armor-piercing ranged - unlocks Crossbowmen.

Description

Mechanical ranged weapons. Enables crossbowmen with armor-piercing capability.

📖 Full Encyclopedia Entry

Crossbows represent the mechanization of ranged warfare. Unlike traditional bows, crossbows can be used effectively with minimal training, and their bolts can pierce armor that would stop arrows. This technology democratizes ranged combat while providing armor-penetration capability.

Creation

Requirements

Must be present (NOT consumed)

Researches:
📖 Archery
💰

Costs

Consumed when created

Time 30000
30s
💰 Gold 5500
📖 Research 220 pts

Strategic Context

Advisory information only. Does not affect gameplay mechanics.

Role Tier 3 military - armor-piercing ranged
Relevance Mid Game
Type Unique

Advantages

  • + Unlocks Crossbowman unit
  • + Armor-piercing capability
  • + Enables AdvancedArchery (longbowmen)
  • + Effective against heavy armor

Disadvantages

  • - Requires Archery
  • - Cost: 220 research, 5500 gold
  • - Research time: 30000ms
  • - Slower rate of fire than bows

Warnings

  • ! Crossbowmen trade fire rate for penetration
  • ! Best against armored targets
🤝

Synergies

Barracks: Train CrossbowmenAdvancedArchery: Further ranged upgradesvs Heavy Cavalry: Armor-piercing effective
🚫

Countered By

Fast cavalry: Close distance quicklyMassed archers: Higher volume of fire
📈

Scaling

No production effects. Crossbowmen provide armor-piercing ranged capability.