The Mounted Archer is a ranged unit of the Early Middle Ages with the same speed as fast units. They are the first unlocked unit of the Early Middle Ages, and are trained in a Mounted Archer Range.
Compared to the Archer of the Iron Age, they lose a slight bit of attack, but has twice the base defense value. They also gain a lot more movement, equal to that of the Heavy Cavalry, Mounted Warrior and Horseman. They also have an attack and defense bonus against heavy units. Unlike other fast units, it is capable of travelling on and through rocks, where they also gain an attack bonus.
Usage[]
The Mounted Archer is a notably special unit in the early ages. They combine the effectiveness of being a fast unit (getting the first turn) and a ranged unit. Despite their exceptional mobility, the Mounted Archer is also marginally weaker compared to other same age units, so a strong attack and defense bonus over the enemy would be ideal.
Because of their great mobility and range, they can often attack units on the other side on the first turn, making them very strong against artillery units that have very low defense. However, after attacking them on the first turn, they are immediately vulnerable to counterattack shortly after, so caution must be taken when you are deciding to attack straight away. Oftentimes it is better to wait unless you are dealing with an army of artillery units. It is also important to note that around 60% of cases, the Mounted Archer cannot always attack on the first turn anyway, due to rough terrain.
A combination of 8 Mounted Archers can also be an effective defense strategy. This strategy is easy to defeat, but it is almost impossible to have an unbeatable defense. The idea is to annoy and deter, and Mounted Archers are one of the most annoying units to deal with, especially as the AI will move the Mounted Archers to the other side of the map to attack when possible.
Against Same Age Units[]
Heavy Cavalry[]
The Mounted Archer is very weak against the Heavy Cavalry, primarily due to the Cavalry's bonuses against ranged units and the general weak attack and defense of the Mounted Archer, even though the Mounted Archer can often attack them first because of their greater range.
Armored Infantry[]
The Mounted Archer is strong against the Armored Infantry, but the high defense of the Armored Infantry can often prevent the Mounted Archer from effectively killing them, despite their attack bonus and the Armored Infantry can also deal somewhat significant damage to the Mounted Archer too. The Mounted Archer should use their great movement and range to take advantage of the slow mobility of the Armored Infantry in order to effectively take them out.
Mercenary[]
Generally speaking, the Mounted Archer is weak against the Mercenary, due to the general strong attack and defense of the Mercenary. Although the Mounted Archer can attack them first, the Mercenary often has a good enough mobility to counterattack the Mounted Archer. Furthermore, it is also very difficult to kill a Mercenary that is gaining extra protection in forests and bushes.
Catapult[]
The fact that Mounted Archers have very good movement and range and can sometimes attack Catapults on the first turn, and given that the Catapults have very weak attack and defense, the Mounted Archers are very strong when fighting catapults. They can reduce the Catapult to as little as 1 or 2 hitpoints, severely limiting the attack capabilities and easily kill them with a second attack. The Mounted Archers' improved defense can also allow them to withstand a number of hits, though the Catapult can still deal somewhat significant amount of damage to them without a good defense boost.
Image[]
A Mounted Archer on rocks getting an attack bonus
Other Military Units[]
Legend: 
= Light Unit Class 
= Ranged Unit Class 
= Artillery Unit Class 
= Heavy Unit Class 
= Fast Unit Class