The Lancer is the fast unit of Industrial Age. It is recruited in the Lancer Stables. The Lancer is probably the most uninteresting unit in the Industrial Age, with no increase in range nor movement. Continuing the trend of previous fast units, It does not receive any terrain bonuses. Compared to the Dragoon of the previous age, the Lancer has the same defense and a good boost in damage. At this point, the Lancer is the only melee unit in Industrial Age, but it does have the highest base attack and defense, even more than the heavy unit of the age, but doesn't have any terrain bonus.
This is the last fast unit with the "classic" weaknesses and strengths, as the Progressive Era revamps combat entirely. On the Progressive Era battlefield, the Lancer cannot travel through barbed wire or over trenches, greatly limiting its movement. It should be replaced with Armored Car once reaching Progressive Era, as they increase in attack, defense, movement and range (which the Lancer lacks).
Usage[]
The Lancer is mostly ineffective in this age mainly due to having a range of 1 when all other Industrial Age units have 6 or more. Still, its fast movement in general will pay off for its melee range as it generally will have enough manoeuvrability like fast units before it.
Against Same Age Units[]
Jaeger Infantry[]
The Lancer is very weak against the Jaeger Infantry. Jaeger Infantry also have the "Stealth" ability, which allows it to hide in forests. However, this does not affect the Lancer because it is a melee unit. Lancers are at a big disadvantage due to Jaeger Infantry having a long range. Also, since the Lancer has the exact same defense as the fast unit of the previous age, it will take more damage even with the decreased damage of the Jaeger Infantry compared to the Ranger of the Colonial Age.
Rifleman[]
The Lancer is strong against the Rifleman, but is not as strong as the Dragoon on Musketeers. The increasing range of ranged units means that the Lancer is becoming less effective against Riflemen. The Rifleman too has an increase in attack which is nearly as good as the Lancer's defense. But overall the bonuses of the Lancer against the Rifleman is stronger still.
Howitzer[]
The Lancer works well against the Howitzer. The Howitzer has only moderate defense compared to heavy units of previous ages, so the increased attack of the Lancer allows it to do good damage against the Howitzer. However, the Howitzer does have the "Blast" ability, which means it does full damage when the Lancer attacks it, resulting in potentially high damage even with their incredible base defense.
Breech Loader[]
Breech Loaders do little damage to Lancers. Lancers are the best choice if attacking an army with many Breech Loaders. Due to the somewhat high defense of the Lancer and the low attack values of the Breech Loader, the Lancer can easily reach the Breech Loader without taking significant damage, unless there are Jaegars or Howitzers guarding them.
Image[]
Two Lancers on a Progressive Era battlefield
Other Military Units[]
Legend: 
= Light Unit Class 
= Ranged Unit Class 
= Artillery Unit Class 
= Heavy Unit Class 
= Fast Unit Class