Elephant Archer as a unit can either be impractical to use in 1v1 or before late game. Or can be Borderline op if allowed to mass with help in team games, specially against civ that don’t get halberdier…
I would like to post a suggestion about rework of Elephant Archer. First want to discuss 2 points.
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Traditionally there used to be 2 or 3 archers on howdah on elephants. They had bows like the archer unit. I think these were phased out from armies by the time crossbow became prevalent.
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Indians have HC with 8 range. And high damage with slow rate of fire. Apart from infantry they do good damage against units with high pierce armor. But weak against archers or skirmishes. HCA with mobility and good attack.
Suggested change-
Attack reduced to 4. (Same as Archer, same range). Los buffed by 3 or 4.
Number of attacks increased to 2, with same rof as now. Elite upgrade adds 1 more. This will be different from cho ku nu or organ gun. Similar to how tower or castle fire multiple arrows. EA would have 2 archers sitting on it. And EEA will have 3 archers. Elite upgrade has same attack 4. Same range. Maybe a liitle boost to rof and los. Same hp.
Intended effect.
This unit would get better against units with 0 or 1 piece Armor. So might be cost effective and seen more often.
Same as now against units with 2 pierce Armor. Which is situationally effective. Not cost efficient.
Weaker against units with 3 piece Armor. Countered by paladdin etc
Interaction with skirmisher will remain same. Ram and skirmishes can counter very well.
Monks still good counter because of its less range and slow speed.
Will do better against buildings. Though this is not important.
Combined with HC they will both complement each other. EA can tank archers and siege. While HC can shoot cav or halb which get too close. Extra los will make even a single tanky EA a good addition to battlefield to complement crossbow or HC. But against many units it might be cost efficient even in castle age.
Edit- Also Food cost should be changed to wood. Adjusted for villager seconds. All other Archer or cav Archer units cost wood I think. And it is easier to combine it with hussar, HC or imperial camel…