Camel Archers AMAZING

[OmniPotent42]

First off, why do Camel Archers require horses? Doesn't really make sense, but I guess it would be pretty broken if you could infinitely spam them.

Second off, this is the single best unit for world conquest. Period. They have a higher combat strength than crossbowmen, and have higher mobility. But perhaps the best part is that they can move after attacking! This means you can attack nearly anything - cities, melee units, naval units, etc and do a blitz attack before they can attack you again. I have almost taken out all of Rome on a basic pure Camel Archer composition, with a few swordsmen to take the cities. Also, if you give them the cover promotion they fair extremely well against city attacks, and with the new pillaging mechanics, you can heal up to 50 hp in one turn!

If someone can, please convince me that there is any single other UU that outshines the glorious Camel Archer.

 

[Yum Caax]

First off, why do Camel Archers require horses? Doesn't really make sense, but I guess it would be pretty broken if you could infinitely spam them.

One of the many examples when mechanics require some sacrifice on the part of realism.

If someone can, please convince me that there is any single other UU that outshines the glorious Camel Archer.

I never actually played with them, but when it comes to taking a city, Hunnic Battering Rams are amazing.

 

[Adjuvant]

hun horse archers are "about" as good in their era. camels come later so it's easier to support "more" of them.

I like to supplement camels with pikemen, to nullify their only real threat in the era... other civs' knights' mobility. Then I can save my iron for frigates.

 

[Crafty Bison]

Camel Archers are a top 5 UU. You won't find many arguments that they are weak, though there may be some that prefer Keshiks/Longbows/CKN's/Janissaries/Minutemen. I personally really like them, but wouldn't call them any weaker or stronger than the aforementioned list, just different. Along with the desert start and bazaar, they're the main reason Arabia is so powerful.

 

[Browd]

When I find Arabia as a neighbor, I know I either have to take them out early (pre-Camel Archers) or wait until I get gatlings, rifles and artillery. In between, attacking them will be an unproductive slaughterfest, so containment is the strategy.

 

[Adjuvant]

keshiks die really easily. janissary was nerfed recently, but I don't think they were ever intended to be so strong. they're still pretty good. longbows are "just ok" for the uncommon opportunity to actually utilize 3 range, which is mostly going to be on defense... the best part about them is the carry-over range upgrade in gatlings.

cho-ko-nu are pretty great, but they move slowly and run around with a big target on their heads that says "kill me first". mass cho-ko-nu gets cumbersome and you're lucky to attack with 4 or more per turn, and "then" you need to make way for your melee to run through.

mobile minutemen are pretty great, and beelined early enough devastatingly so.

 

[budweiser]

Camel Archers are great because they can shoot, then move. The are true ships of the desert.

Longbows are not defense, they are made to clear your continent.

 

[Adjuvant]

I don't personally feel longbows are better for "clearing a continent" than crossbows, unless you have workers running around in front of them chopping down forests and jungles. Most of the time they only shoot 2 range for obstacles, etc.

 

[Halcyan2]

Camel Archers.

Keshiks are also great. Some people prefer Keshiks because even though they are individually weaker and more expensive, they have a much better movement. With 5 movement, they can move on to rough terrain, shoot, and then withdraw (while Camel Archers mainly move + shoot + withdraw only on flat terrain). In addition, Keshiks can move across the map much more quickly, and have better synergy with the rest of their civilization's abilities (Mongolian UA for extra mounted movement + Mongolian Khan UU).

 

[Heerlo]

Oh, this thread comes at just a time when I've been fighting an Arabia with TONS of Camel Archers.First time I've ever really done this, and it's been pretty ugly.

 

[Petiscator]

This thread makes me feel like starting an Arabian game. Finished Fall of Rome - again - this time as the Goths, today, so I'm looking for a longer game. Perhaps the arabian camels and their bazaars are what I'm looking for

 

[OmniPotent42]

This thread makes me feel like starting an Arabian game. Finished Fall of Rome - again - this time as the Goths, today, so I'm looking for a longer game. Perhaps the arabian camels and their bazaars are what I'm looking for

Yeah, in my current game I have a super production-heavy capital, and I can crank out one Camel Archer in like 2-3 turns. I think I have around 9 Camel Archers total. It's also recommendable to invest heavily in chariot archers so you can upgrade a bunch once you get Chivalry.

 

[OmniPotent42]

I never actually played with them, but when it comes to taking a city, Hunnic Battering Rams are amazing.

The issue with Battering Rams is that they are so specialized, whereas Camel Archers are amazing against nearly any unit composition and terrain type.

 

[thegingerninja]

I find battering rams way too situational because you can simply block them and they sit there soaking up your ranged attacks. The cover promotion isn't good enough, i think it should be changed to a yellow triangle ability that gives 50 not 33% cover

 

[whyidie]

Camel Archers.

Keshiks are also great. Some people prefer Keshiks because even though they are individually weaker and more expensive, they have a much better movement. With 5 movement, they can move on to rough terrain, shoot, and then withdraw (while Camel Archers mainly move + shoot + withdraw only on flat terrain). In addition, Keshiks can move across the map much more quickly, and have better synergy with the rest of their civilization's abilities (Mongolian UA for extra mounted movement + Mongolian Khan UU).

+ Keshiks get promotions quicker. Add in that the Khan heals them and this leads to super promoted units.

When I want to dominate a continent, I'll take Keshiks over Camel Archers. Not to say the Camel Archer is weak, just that as you point out, the Keshik has more going for it.

 

[Halcyan2]

The issue with Battering Rams is that they are so specialized, whereas Camel Archers are amazing against nearly any unit composition and terrain type.

One thing I find silly about Battering Rams is that they remain extremely effective even in amphibious assaults.

The -50% for amphibious attacks is still overcompensated by the +300% vs cities, for a net +250%.

I know the game does not have to make logical sense (and often doesn't), but battering rams from the sea just seems rather odd to me.

 

[Socratatus]

First off, why do Camel Archers require horses? Doesn't really make sense, but I guess it would be pretty broken if you could infinitely spam them.

I guess they decided that Camels are used much in the same way as Horses in this context; to ride and fight off, just like the horse is used in war. They could`ve had a separate camel resource for authenticity, but decided since both have the same basic function for warfare to keep it all to `horses`.

Both are `animal weapon platforms`.

It`s a little lazy. Would be nice to have a separate camel resource but makes basic sense.

 

[Hammer Rabbi]

i only like keshiks more because of the other mongol bonuses from the Khan. getting xp faster is what really pushes them past CAs for me. but on their own, separated from such things, CAs are better.

 

[Udey1]

Keshiks are better, but both are about the easiest thing you can use to conquer the world.

Keshiks = more movement and faster promo.

Keshiks dying real easy means you probably did something wrong, their defensive characteristics shouldn't come into play hardly ever.

 

[budweiser]

Does a chariot upgrade to a camel archer?