Civilization V Customisation Wiki

The Crossbowman is an Archery unit available in the Medieval Era.

Overview[]

The crossbow first appeared in Europe in the 10th century. Although slower than a standard bow, a crossbow requires less training and strength than a regular bow, and over time it came to be the dominant weapon on the battlefield. A crossbow consists of a fairly short but heavy bow mounted to a stock. The firer pulls back the string - often with mechanical assistance - to "cock" the bow, then lays a "bolt" (arrow) on a groove in the stock. The firer aims, then pulls a trigger to release the string, which launches the bolt at the target. Among other advantages, a crossbow can be fired from a kneeling or prone position, something which is impossible with a standard bow.

Strategy[]

Advances in technology produce a new type of ranged weapon, sufficiently strong to punch through medieval armor. At the same time, the Crossbowmen are equipped with mail shirts for protection, allowing them to withstand quite more damage than earlier ranged units; still, it is advisable to use them with caution, and protect them from enemy cavalry. Again, the best use for a Crossbowman is to put it on high ground in a well-defended position, where it can rain death upon approaching enemies without suffering counterattacks.

Unique Unit Replacements[]

Historical[]

Icon Unit Civilization Abilities
IconPNG Ahdath
Flag ahdath
Ahdath
The Fatimids (al-Mu'izz)
  • Generates Faith from kills
  • +3 Combat Strength when at war with civs of other religions
LSGenoaUU
GenoaUnitAlphaAtlas
Balestrieri
Genoa (Simone Boccanegra) (LastSword)
  • +2 Combat Strength
  • If it begins turn stacked with a Naval Unit, may automatically fire without using Movement
Billar
Billar The Jagera (Multuggerah)
  • While in Hills, gains a bonus to both Ranged and Defensive Strength.
  • During Golden Ages, pays no extra Movement when moving through Hills tiles.
Chukonu
Chukonu-0
Chu-Ko-Nu
China (Wu Zetian)
Shu Han (Liu Bei)
  • May attack twice per turn
  • -25% ranged strength

With Shu Han (Liu Bei) installed:

  • -25% Ranged Strength (14 vs 18).
  • May Attack twice each turn.
  • +15% Great General Generation Rate for each level (max +85%).
Cymrulongbow
Cymru Longbow Wales (Llywelyn)
  • Ignores terrain cost
  • Increased Combat Strength in rough terrain
  • +1 Movement
AshikagaUnit
Daikyu Japan (Ashikaga Yoshimitsu)
  • +23% Combat Strength (16 vs 13)
  • Earns Golden Age Points from kills.
  • +1 Range when stationed on a Holy Site.
SouthernZhouUUIcon
Dragon Martial Southern Zhou (Wu Zetian)
  • Has lower base Combat Strength, but +1 Movement.
  • Gains +25% Combat Strength when within 2 tiles of a friendly Spy.
  • Earns Golden Age points from kills.
GodLikeCrossbowIcon
God-Like Crossbow Au Lac (Trung Trac)
  • After setting up, may fire twice.
  • Units damaged by the God-Like Crossbow suffer Movement Speed penalty next turn,
Granadinecavalry
Unitflag GranadineCavalry
Granadine Cavalry
The Moors (Abd-ar-Rahman III)
  • +2 Movement
  • May move after attacking
MarinusUUIcon
Guard of the Rock San Marino (Marinus)
  • Has -25% Combat Strength.
  • May attack twice when garrisoned in a City or stationed in a defensive Improvement in friendly territory.
VijayanagaraUU
Kaijeeta Vijayanagara (Krishnadevaraya)
  • -30% Combat Strength when defending.
  • +20% Ranged Strength while attacking, doubled to +40% against Cavarly units.
Longbowman
Longbowman-0
Longbowman
England (Elizabeth)

England (Henry V)

  • Elizabeth's version
    • +1 Range.
  • Henry V's version
    • -3 Combat Strength.
    • +1 Range.
    • +20% Combat Strength against Melee Units whilst adjacent to at least one enemy Melee Unit.
SchleswigHolsteinOdalbode
SchleswigHolsteinOdalbodeIcon

Odalbode

Schleswig-Holstein (Frederich I)
  • Deals 33% more damage against ships.
  • When garrisoned on a fort or in a city, produces gold and gives a small chance to grant a food yield each turn.
UU Icon
Paik[1] Bengal (Shuja-ud-Din Muhammad Khan)
  • It starts with the Amphibious Promotion.
  • It gains +1 Range when on rivers, and this ability is retained upon upgrade.
  • While embarked, stacked Naval Ranged units can attack at +1 Range.
Pavise
Pavise Crossbowman Genoa (Simone Boccanegra)
  • Begins with +1 Strength per unworked Merchant Specialist or +1 Strength per the Gold output of worked Merchant Specialists in the city.
Wales unit
Saethwyr Wales (Owain Glyndwr)
  • Stronger than the Crossbowman, and treats any hill in friendly territory like a fort
  • Grants culture per turn when fortified
Smerd Icon
Smerd Ruthenia (Danylo I)
  • 10% lower Defensive and Ranged Strength.
  • 25% lower Production cost.
  • Gains 20% Defensive Strength per Civilization connected via Trade Route.
  • Double XP if beginning a turn on a Farm, Pasture, or Khutir.
Sofa
Unitflag sofa
Sofa
Mali (Mansa Musa)
  • Starts with the Medic promotion
  • May move after attacking
  • +1 defensive Combat Strength
  • -2 ranged strength
YokutUU
Sultha'thi The Yokuts (Estanislao)
  • Higher Production cost. (130 vs 120)
  • Indirect Fire.
  • +15% Ranged Strength against Gunpowder units.
PoncaUU
Washa'be The Ponca (White Eagle)
  • Has the Cover promotion.
  • After engaging in combat four times, gains +1 Movement and weakens adjacent enemies.
Yabusame Icon
Yabusame Hojo (Hojo Ujiyasu)
  • +2 Movement
  • Gains increased Combat Strength the further it moves

Fictional[]

Icon Unit Civilization Abilities
Hunter
Hunter Kyrat (Pagan Min)
  • -15% Combat Strength (11 vs 13).
  • -11% Ranged Strength (16 vs 18).
  • Ignores terrain costs.
  • Invisible while in Forest or Jungle.
Pupil
Pupil Ostia (Lilina)
  • -11% Ranged Strength (16 vs. 18)
  • Gains 50% more EXP from combat.
Unit Types [edit]
Ancient Era
ArcherChariot ArcherScoutSpearmanTriremeWarrior
Classical Era
Composite BowmanCatapultHorsemanSwordsman
Medieval Era
CrossbowmanGalleassKnightLandsknechtLongswordsmanPikemanTrebuchet
Renaissance Era
CannonCaravelFrigateLancerMusketmanPrivateer
Industrial Era
ArtilleryCavalryGatling GunIroncladRifleman
Modern Era
Anti-Aircraft GunBattleshipCarrierDestroyerGreat War BomberGreat War InfantryInfantryLandshipMachine GunSubmarineTriplane
Atomic Era
Anti-Tank GunAtomic BombBazookaBomberFighterHelicopter GunshipMarineMobile SAMParatrooperRocket ArtilleryTank
Information Era
Giant Death RobotGuided MissileJet FighterMechanized InfantryMissile CruiserModern ArmorNuclear MissileNuclear SubmarineStealth BomberXCOM Squad
Civilian Units
ArchaeologistCaravanCargo ShipInquisitorMissionarySettlerWork BoatWorker
Great People
Great AdmiralGreat ArtistGreat EngineerGreat GeneralGreat MerchantGreat MusicianGreat ProphetGreat ScientistGreat Writer
CarrackCruiserCuirassierExplorerField GunGalleonLine InfantryShip of the LineSkirmisherSurveyorUhlan
  1. Athar (1994). The Paik in the Army of Delhi Sultans during the 13th century. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress vol. 55