Template:Infobox Unit The Bow Rider is a Sioux light Cavalry unit in Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs.
Overview
The Bow Rider is best used against Heavy cavalry units as a group of them should easily take down an enemy's group of Heavy Cavalry. They can also be used to fend off Heavy Infantry due to their good resistance toward melee damage and high speed.
Unlike other ranged cavalry, Bow Riders lack the 0,5 multiplier against Villagers, so they are among the best at harassing an enemy's economy, third only to Apache Cavalry (with Apache Raiders researched) and to Cavalry Archers with Irregulars researched. They should be escorted with Dog Soldiers and/or Axe Riders, who can attack Ranged Infantry units, while also assisting at killing Villagers.
Bow Riders can be trained at the Corral, at the Colonial Age, unlike other similar units. This encourages Rushing, despite their high food cost. It is highly recommended to accompagny Bow Riders with the War Chief, as he provides a speed bonus that allows them to outrun most enemy units.
A severe drawback of this unit, meant to balance the lack of a 0.5 multiplier against Villagers, is that there are no shipments of Bow Riders available to a Sioux player, unlike Axe Riders and Rifle Riders. This, combined with their high food cost, means that they require close micromanagement; they shouldn't be sent without correct purpose into enemies.
History
โ | When forced west by the encroachment of the European colonists, the Sioux adapted to a wide-ranging, nomadic lifestyle - aided primarily by their mastery of the horse. The Sioux were known as expert horsemen and horse breeders. They developed extremely sophisticated riding tactics. When in battle, they would wrap their legs about their horse's upper body and lean over to the side opposite their foes - taking aim from beneath the horse's neck and using the animal for cover. | โ |