Age of Empires Series Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Japanese master of the bow and the horse. Good against cavalry and artillery.
—In-game description

The Yabusame is a mounted archer in Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties that is unique to the Japanese and can be trained at Stables and Atakebunes, and by Daimyos, once the Fortress Age is reached. It fires a bow from a long range.

Overview[]

The Yabusame can be seen as a sort of mixture of the Cavalry Archer and the Culverin. It has a longer range and more ranged resistance than most ranged cavalry. It is the only archer cavalry to have less base damage per second (per population) than a European Dragoon.

The Yabusame has several unique advantages and disadvantages. One major advantage that they have is their unique combination of very long range and very high armor. This allows them to withstand ranged units much more effectively than most other ranged cavalry. With careful micromanagement, they can kite musket infantry indefinitely without taking damage. They also are able to stand up to other ranged cavalry, due to their armor and superior range. They are also substantially better at withstanding Skirmisher fire, although they will deal little damage in return.

The other major advantage of Yabusame is their enormous multiplier against artillery. As Flaming Arrows do not gain a multiplier against other artillery until upgraded to Honored in the Industrial Age, Yabusame must fill the role of ranged anti-artillery. Utilizing the Yabusame's two upgrade cards will further enhance their effectiveness in this capacity. Like all ranged cavalry, they are also effective against heavy cavalry, although care must be taken to avoid cavalry making contact with them, as they are quite frail in melee. Their extra-long range does make this easier to manage.

The primary disadvantage is their very high cost. At a total of 210 resources, mostly coin, they can be quite challenging to mass. Japan has several ways to overcome this, however. Having access to a Bank from the Dutch Consulate, being able to ship 1,000 coin twice in the Fortress Age, and having Shrines able to provide a passive coin trickle can all allow a Japanese player to be able to invest into Yabusame, if carefully planned for. Even so, care must be taken to micromanage them carefully, as losing them carelessly will cause heavy losses economically.

A secondary disadvantage of Yabusame is that they do not compliment or combine well with Ashigaru Musketeers. As Ashigaru are quite often the standard unit of Japanese armies, Yabusame can be quite redundant. With both countering cavalry and being countered by ranged infantry, there is a lot of overlap in roles. With only the anti-artillery role differentiating the two units, it is unecessary to use both simultaneously in most situations. A final disadvantage of Yabusame is they are relatively slow for a ranged cavalry, although this can be negated by utilizing the speed bonus at the Golden Pavilion.

Yabusame combine well with Yumi Archers, as they compliment each other's roles and share the same (initial) range. As Yumi do not cost coin, this also helps lessen the impact of Yabusame's coin-heavy cost. Mixing in a few Naginata Riders will round out the army, providing a hard counter to every standard unit type.

Upgrades[]

The Yabusame is automatically upgraded to Disciplined (+20% hit points and attack) in the Fortress Age.

Age Upgrade Cost Effect
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Honored cavalry Honored Yabusame 600 wood
600 coin
Upgrades Yabusame to Honored (+30% hit points and attack)
Imperial Age
Exalted cavalry Exalted Yabusame 1,500 wood
1,500 coin
Upgrades Yabusame to Exalted (+50% hit points and attack); requires Honored Yabusame

Further statistics[]

As Yabusame are unique to the Japanese, only technologies that they have access to are shown in the following table:

Unit strengths and weaknesses
Strong vs. Heavy cavalry, hand shock infantry, artillery
Weak vs. Heavy infantry, light infantry
Improvements
Hit points Comanche Horse Breeding Comanche Horse Breeding (+10%)
Cree Tanning Cree Tanning (+5%)
Navajo Weaving Navajo Weaving (+5%)
Tar kilns Tar Kilns (+5%)
Attack Seminole Bowyer Seminole Bowyer (+15%)
Carib Kasiri Beer Carib Kasiri Beer (+10%)
Tupi Poison Arrow Frogs Tupi Poison Arrow Frogs (+10%)
Yoga Yoga (+5%)
Carib Garifuna Drums Carib Garifuna Drums (+1.0 multiplier vs. villagers)
Wind horses Wind Horses (-10% Rate of Fire)
Resistance Sudanese quilted armor Sudanese Quilted Armor (+10% hand resistance)
Range Sarmatism Sarmatism (+1)
Line of Sight Town Watch Town Watch (+3)
Sarmatism Sarmatism (+1)
Speed Apache Endurance Apache Endurance (+5%)
Comanche Mustangs Comanche Mustangs (+5%)
Wind horses Wind Horses (+0.5)
Train time Cheyenne Horse Trading Cheyenne Horse Trading (-40%)
Mass Cavalry Mass Cavalry (-35%)
Quechuan Diet Quechuan Diet (-15%)
Immigrants Immigrants (-10%)
Shaman drums Shaman Drums (-10%)
Cost Mapuche Ad-mapu Mapuche Ad-mapu (-10% coin cost)
Golden liberty Golden Liberty (-5% coin cost)
Other Merritocracy Meritocracy (-20% upgrade cost)

Home City Cards[]

As Yabusame are unique to the Japanese, only their cards and other civilizations' TEAM cards are shown in the following tables:

Click for a list of Home City Cards related to the Yabusame
Some cards are highlighted with:
Green TEAM Shipment that is sent to each player in a team
Red Shipment that can be sent twice
Blue Shipment that arrives fast (5 seconds)

Germans[]

Card Description Age
German Home City 2 (Cavalry Attack) TEAM Cavalry Attack Heavy cavalry, light cavalry, and shock infantry get +10% attack; Germans-only heavy cavalry, light cavalry, and shock infantry get +15% attack instead
Age II tech tree aoe3

Indians[]

Card Description Age
Shivajis tactics TEAM Shivaji's Tactics All units get +5% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3

Japanese[]

Card Description Age
Japanese Home City 2 (4 Yabasame) 4 Yabusame Ships 4 Yabusame
Age III tech tree aoe3
Japanese Home City 2 (6 Yabusame) 6 Yabusame Ships 6 Yabusame
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Japanese Home City 2 (7 Yabusame) 7 Yabusame Ships 7 Yabusame
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Japanese Home City 2 (Yabusame Damage) Yabusame Attack Yabusame get +20% attack
Age III tech tree aoe3
Japanese Home City 2 (In Yo Rush) In-Yo Rush Yabusame get +20% attack and +1.0 melee and ranged attack multiplier against artillery
Age III tech tree aoe3
Japanese Home City 3 (Cheaper Unit Upgrades) TEAM Sengoku Unit upgrades cost -20%
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Bakufu Bakufu Daimyo and Shogun Tokugawa get +5% speed, +10 Line of Sight and train units 15% faster; land military unit train time -20%, artillery and banner army train time -10% instead
Age III tech tree aoe3

Lakota[]

Card Description Age
Sioux Home City 2 (Mustangs) TEAM Mustangs Cavalry and shock infantry cost -10%
Age III tech tree aoe3

Maltese[]

Card Description Age
Maltese Home City 2 (TEAM Knights of the Round Table) TEAM Knights of the Round Table Ships 1 Hospitaller for each Town Center owned by the player; all units get +2% hit points
Age I tech tree aoe3

Mexicans[]

Card Description Age
Mexican Home City 2 (TEAM Mariachi) TEAM Mariachi For the next 30 seconds, military buildings work 400% faster and units get +10% speed
Age I tech tree aoe3

Portuguese[]

Card Description Age
Portuguese Home City 2 (Early Dragoons) TEAM House of Aviz Dragoons, Ruyters, Cavalry Archers, Rifle Riders, Musket Riders, Yabusame, and Carbine Cavalry can be trained in the Commerce Age; Zamburak, Eagle Runner Knight, Bolas Warrior, Black Rider, and Ming Army train time -15%; Mongolian Army train time -7%
Age I tech tree aoe3

Russians[]

Card Description Age
Russian Home City 2 (Cavalry Scout) TEAM Kamchatka Expeditions Cavalry and shock infantry get +10% hit points and +4 Line of Sight
Age I tech tree aoe3

Spanish[]

Card Description Age
Spanish Home City 3 (Inquisition) TEAM Spanish Inquisition Ships 1 Inquisitor; all units get +10 Line of Sight
Age II tech tree aoe3

Germans[]

Card Description Age HC level
German Home City 2 (Cavalry Attack) TEAM Cavalry Attack Heavy cavalry, light cavalry, and shock infantry get +15% attack
Age II tech tree aoe3
10

Indians[]

Card Description Age HC level
Shivajis tactics TEAM Shivaji's Tactics All units get +5% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
25

Japanese[]

Card Description Age HC level
Japanese Home City 2 (4 Yabasame) 4 Yabusame Ships 4 Yabusame
Age III tech tree aoe3
1
Japanese Home City 2 (6 Yabusame) 6 Yabusame Ships 6 Yabusame
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
1
Japanese Home City 2 (7 Yabusame) 7 Yabusame Ships 7 Yabusame
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
10
Spanish Home City 2 (Hand Cavalry Attack) Yabusame Attack Yabusame gets +20% attack
Age III tech tree aoe3
10
Japanese Home City 2 (In Yo Rush) In-Yo Rush Yabusame gets +20% attack and +1.0 attack multiplier against artillery
Age III tech tree aoe3
25
Japanese Home City 3 (Cheaper Unit Upgrades) TEAM Cheaper Unit Upgrades Unit upgrades cost -20%
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
1
Bakufu Bakufu Daimyo and Shogun Tokugawa get +5% speed, +10 Line of Sight and train units 100% faster
Age III tech tree aoe3
10

Portuguese[]

Card Description Age HC level
Portuguese Home City 2 (Early Dragoons) TEAM Early Dragoons Dragoons, Ruyters, Cavalry Archers, Rifle Riders, Musket Riders, and Yabusame can be trained in the Commerce Age; Zamburak train time -15%; Ming Army and Mongolian Army train time -7%
Age I tech tree aoe3
1

Russians[]

Card Description Age HC level
Russian Home City 2 (Cavalry Scout) TEAM Cavalry Scouts Cavalry and shock infantry get +10% hit points and +4 Line of Sight
Age I tech tree aoe3
1

Spanish[]

Card Description Age HC level
Spanish Home City 3 (Inquisition) TEAM Inquisition All units get +10 Line of Sight
Age I tech tree aoe3
10

Changelog[]

The Asian Dynasties[]

Definitive Edition[]

  • The Yabusame has 9 damage.

The African Royals[]

  • With update 38254, the Yabusame has 45% ranged resistance, a ×3.25 multiplier against heavy cavalry and a ×7.0 multiplier against artillery.
  • With update 43871, the Yabusame now correctly uses his dialogue files.

Knights of the Mediterranean[]

History[]

Yabusame is the ancient art of archery, or Kyudo, while riding on horseback. "Kyudo" is Japanese for "Way of the Bow." The history of Yabusame is rooted in legend, beginning around 530 CE, when it is believed that the 29th emperor of Japan, Kinmei, prayed for "Tenka-taihei" (peace) and "Gokoku-houjyou" (good harvest) and then fired from horseback at three targets. The art of Yabusame has never strayed far from its roots and even today is perceived foremost as a ritual honoring the gods and calling forth their blessings.

Minamoto No Yoritomo, first of Japan's feudal shoguns, had great respect for the art of Yabusame and worked to establish it as a part of standard military training and practice. During his reign, Minamoto established the Ogasawara School, a specialized institution for teaching the arts of foot and mounted archery. He also started the Tsurugaoka Hachimanguu Yabusame Divine Performance, a showcase for the most highly talented Yabusame archers. The first event was held on August 15, 1187. Since that day the ceremony has been held every year to the present, although it went on temporary hiatus during the Pacific conflicts of World War II.

Gallery[]

Military units in Age of Empires III
Common/shared units
3Icon48px Age of Empires IIIExplorer aoe3de Explorer · Militiaman de Militiaman · Crossbow aoe3de Crossbowman · Pikeman aoe3de Pikeman · Halberdier de Halberdier · Musketeer icon aoe3de Musketeer · Skirmisher aoe3de Skirmisher · Grenadier de Grenadier · Hussar aoe3de Hussar · Dragoon aoe3de Dragoon · Cavalry archer portrait aoe3de updated Cavalry Archer · Falconet aoe3de Falconet · Culverin icon aoe3de Culverin · Mortar de Mortar · Heavy cannon de Heavy Cannon · Caravel aoe3de Caravel · Galleon aoe3de Galleon · Frigate aoe3de Frigate · Monitor aoe3de Monitor
3WCIcon48px The WarChiefsWarrior de Warrior · Horse art de Horse Artillery · Petard aoe3de Petard · Spy aoe3de portrait updated Spy · Native canoe aoe3de Canoe · War canoe aoe3de War Canoe · Ironclad aoe3de Ironclad
Age3DE Icon Definitive Edition*Captured mortar aoe3de Captured Mortar · Sloop aoe3de Sloop · Steamer aoe3de Steamer · Battleship portrait Battleship
The African RoyalsLevied spearman portrait aoe3de Levied Spearman · Levied bowman portrait aoe3de Levied Bowman · Levied gunner portrait aoe3de Levied Gunner · Javelin rider aoe3de Javelin Rider · Desert warrior portrait aoe3de Desert Warrior · Desert archer portrait aoe3de Desert Archer · Desert raider portrait aoe3de Desert Raider · Battle canoe portrait aoe3de Battle Canoe · Cannon boat portrait aoe3de Cannon Boat
Unique units
Flag BritishDE BritishLongbow aoe3de Longbowman · Ranger portrait Ranger · Rocket de Rocket
Flag DutchDE DutchRuyter de Ruyter · Fluyt aoe3de Fluyt
Flag FrenchDE FrenchCuirassier de Cuirassier
Flag GermanDE GermansGermans landwehr portrait Landwehr · Doppel de Doppelsoldner · Uhlan portrait aoe3de updated Uhlan · War wagon de War Wagon
Flag OttomanDE OttomansOttomans bashibozuk portrait Bashibozuk · Janissary aoe3de Janissary · Ottomans azap portrait Azap · Nizam icon Nizam Fusilier · Ottomans deli portrait Deli · Ottomans abus gunner portrait Abus Gunner · Ottomans humbaraci portrait Humbaraci · Great bombard de Great Bombard · Spy ottoman portrait Muhbir · Spahi de Sipahi · Galley aoe3de Galley
Flag PortugueseDE PortugueseOrdinance rifleman portrait Ordinance Rifleman · Cacador de Cassador · Organ aoe3de Organ Gun
Flag RussianDE RussiansStrelet de Strelet · Russians rekrut portrait aoe3de Rekrut · Russians poruchik portrait aoe3de Poruchik · Cossack de Cossack · Oprichink de Oprichnik
Flag SpanishDE SpanishRandelero de Rodelero · Lancer portrait aoe3de updated Lancer
Flag AztecDE AztecsAztecChief AoE3DE Aztec War Chief · Eagle scout aoe3de Eagle Scout · Coyote runner aoe3de Coyote Runner · Otontin slinger Otontin Slinger · Puma spearman de Puma Spearman · Arrow knight de Arrow Knight · Eagle runner knight de Eagle Runner Knight · Jaguar prowl knight de Jaguar Prowl Knight · Warrior priest de Warrior Priest · Skull knight aoe3de Skull Knight · Tlaloc aoe3de Tlaloc Canoe
Flag IroquoisDE HaudenosauneeIro warchief aoe3de Haudenosaunee War Chief · Aenna de Aenna · Tomahawk de Tomahawk · Forest prowler de Forest Prowler · Kanya de Kanya Horseman · Musket rider de Musket Rider · Ram aoe3de Ram · Iro mantlet de Mantlet · Light cannon de Light Cannon
Flag SiouxDE LakotaSx warchief aoe3de Lakota War Chief · Cetan de Cetan Bowman · Club warrior de Club Warrior · Wakina de Wakina Rifle · Axe rider de Axe Rider · Bow rider de Bow Rider · Rifle rider de Rifle Rider · Tashunke de Tashunke Prowler · Tokala soldier portrait updated Tokala Soldier
Flag ChineseDE ChineseShaolin master aoe3de Shaolin Master · Shaolin monk aoe3de Disciple · Sentry cn jp de Sentry · Irregular cn jp de Irregular · Chu ko nu aoe3de Chu Ko Nu · Qiang pikeman de Qiang Pikeman · Changdao de Changdao Swordsman · Arquebusier de Arquebusier · Steppe rider de Steppe Rider · Keshik de Keshik · Iron flail de Iron Flail · Meteor hammer de Meteor Hammer · Flamethrower de Flamethrower · Hand mortar de Hand Mortar · Flying crow de Flying Crow · Fire ship aoe3de Fire Junk · War junk aoe3de War Junk · Fuchuan aoe3de Fuchuan
Flag IndianDE IndiansBrahminDE Brahmin · Sentry IN de Sentry · Irregular IN de Irregular · Rajput de Rajput · Sepoy de Sepoy · Gurkha de Gurkha · Urumi de Urumi Swordsman · Sowar de Sowar · Zamburak mansabdar de Zamburak · Mahout de Mahout Lancer · Howdah aoe3de Howdah · Flail elephant de Flail Elephant · Siege elephant de Siege Elephant
Flag JapaneseDE JapaneseIkkoIkkiDE Sohei Archer · Sentry cn jp de Sentry · Irregular cn jp de Irregular · Yumi archer de Yumi Archer · Ashigaru de Ashigaru Musketeer · Samurai aoe3de Samurai · Naginata de Naginata Rider · Yabusame de Yabusame · Flaming arrow aoe3de Flaming Arrow · Morutaru de Morutaru · Daimyo kiyomasa aoe3de Daimyo · Tokugawa aoe3de Shogun Tokugawa · Yamabushi aoe3de Yamabushi · Shinobi aoe3de Shinobi · Fune aoe3de Fune · Atakabune aoe3de Atakebune · Tekkousen aoe3de Tekkousen
Flag IncanDE IncaInca-war-chief-icon-aoe3 Inca War Chief · Chasqui-icon-aoe3 Chasqui · Jungle-bowman-icon-aoe3 Jungle Bowman · Plumed-spearman-icon-aoe3 Plumed Spearman · Chimu-runner-icon-aoe3 Chimu Runner · DE Bolas Warrior Icon Bolas Warrior · Huaraca-icon-aoe3 Huaraca · Inca Maceman Icon Maceman · Chincha raft aoe3de Chincha Raft
Flag SwedishDE SwedesCarolean Carolean · Hakkapelit-icon-aoe3 Hakkapelit · Leather-cannon-icon-aoe3 Leather Cannon
Flag American act3 aoe3de United StatesUs general aoe3de General · Us marine aoe3de Minuteman · State militia aoe3de State Militia · Regular aoe3de Regular · Sharpshooter icon aoe3 Sharpshooter · Carbine cavalry aoe3de Carbine Cavalry · Gatlin de Gatling Gun · Quaker gun icon Quaker Gun · Gunslinger aoe3de Gunslinger · Cowboy aoe3de Cowboy · Owlhoot aoe3de Owlhoot
Flag MexicanDE MexicansGeneral mx portrait General · Padre revolution portrait Padre · Insurgente portrait Insurgente · Soldado portrait Soldado · Emboscador portrait Salteador · Chinaco portrait Chinaco · Desperado portrait Desperado · Vaquero portrait Cuatrero · Bandido portrait Bandido
Flag Ethiopian aoe3de EthiopiansRas portrait aoe3de Ras · Oromo warrior portrait aoe3de Oromo Warrior · Gascenya portrait aoe3de Gascenya · Shotel warrior aoe3de Shotel Warrior · Neftenya portrait aoe3de Neftenya · Sebastopol mortar portrait aoe3de Sebastopol Mortar · War dhow portrait aoe3de War Dhow
Flag Hausa HausaEmir aoe3de portrait Emir · Fulani Fulani Archer · Raider aoe3de portrait Raider · Lifidi knight aoe3de portrait Lifidi Knight · Maigadi aoe3de portrait Maigadi · Xebec portrait aoe3de Xebec
Flag ItalianDE ItaliansItalians pavisier portrait Pavisier · Italians bersagliere portrait Bersagliere · Italians papal guard portrait Papal Guard · Italians schiavone portrait Schiavone · Italians papal lancer portrait Papal Lancer · Italians papal zouave portrait Papal Zouave · Italians papal bombard portrait Papal Bombard · Italians leonardo tank portrait Leonardo's Tank · Galleass portrait Galleass
Flag MalteseDE MalteseAlain icon aoe3de Grand Master · Hospitaller portrait Hospitaller · Maltese sentinel portrait Sentinel · Hoop thrower aoe3de Fire Thrower · Order galley portrait Order Galley · SPC Fire ship aoe3de Fire Ship
Revolution Revolution
Barbarystates rev barbary warrior portrait aoe3de updated Barbary Warrior · Bolivar icon aoe3de Bolivar · Californio portrait Californio · Cetbang aoe3de Cetbang Cannon · Oruc Reis Icon Corsair Captain · Berber arquebusier aoe3de Corsair Marksman · Cruzob avenger portrait Cruzob Avenger · Cruzob infantry portrait Cruzob Infantry · Comanchero icon aoe3de Cuerudo · Rev france eclaireur portrait aoe3de Eclaireur · Filibuster aoe3de Filibuster · Gatlin de Gatling Gun · Comanchero icon aoe3de Gaucho · Comanchero icon aoe3de Jagunço · Java spearman aoe3de Javanese Spearman · Comanchero icon aoe3de Llanero · Militia Officer portrait Militia Officer · Comanchero icon aoe3de Morochuco · Mounted Granadero Portrait Mounted Granadero · Colonial militia aoe3de Revolutionary · Us volunteer icon Revolutionary Sharpshooter · San martin portrait San Martin · Covered wagon aoe3de Trek Wagon
Advertisement