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TW3K Crossbowmen 430x

The crossbow was the signature military technology of the Han Dynasty into the Three Kingdoms era

Crossbowmen are a Ranged Infantry unit available from the start of the base game (Rise of the Warlords 190 AD) in Total War: Three Kingdoms. They can only be recruited in Strategist and Commander retinues. It is preferable to recruit with Strategists since they uniquely provide more important buffs compared to Commanders. Buffs available include additional ammunition and range, faster rate of fire and improved base damage as well as armor piercing damage.

Overview[]

In open field engagements and sieges, Crossbowmen can be exceptionally useful in several ways. In the early game they outrange all other Archers by a safe distance. They are also far more effective against armored troops, just as they were historically.

Proper Use[]

Crossbows are usually positioned directly behind your main battle line so as to make the most of their ranged attack. In this position they are protected from enemy archer fire and Cavalry while they whittle down the enemy as the two lines come together. Alternatively, they can be set directly in front of your line at the outset to harass the enemy line and quickly pulled back to safety before the lines clash. Manually controlling Crossbowmen targets is recommended if the enemy has a healthy number of shielded (anti-missile) units on their line. It is better to manually target unshielded spear infantry units or any units with exposed flanks as a first choice.

Recruiting Options[]

In the early game, it generally doesn't make a lot of difference if crossbows are recruited from Strategists or Commanders except when it comes to Ammunition count or Ancillaries that provide bonuses to crossbows. That will change when your Strategists start leveling up and acquire the right skills to support their ranged retinues. By turn 15 or 20, it will be better to have most of your Crossbowmen with Strategist heroes due to the ranged buffs only they will provide, such as Judgement (+25% ranged base damage) plus the all important, additional ammunition. Both Strategists and Sentinels have the Precision skill (+10% ranged AP damage, +10% firing rate) but Sentinels can't recruit Crossbowmen. Both of these skills are easily accessible on the Skill Tree for most Strategists, while they tend to be many XP levels away for most other hero types. These are the principal reasons for recruiting Crossbowmen in Strategist retinues almost exclusively.

  • Type: Medium Crossbow Infantry
  • Base cost to recruit: 350
  • Base unit upkeep: 110

Description[]

TW3K Crossbowmen in-game

In-game (vanilla units)

Ranged Infantry units are relatively inexpensive soldiers that do more than their fair share of work disposing of enemy soldiers on the battlefield. When handled adeptly, they will rapidly increase their skill and efficiency in doing their deadly duties with few losses of their own. These well trained and moderately armored Crossbowmen are a cornerstone of a strong army and they support and compliment each element of the combined force. They are worth the extra cost if you are at war and your economy allows it.

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