Swordsman
The reliable iron blade that forms the shield wall of every empire.
The Swordsman is a versatile infantry unit that has served as the backbone of many civilizations throughout the Age of Empires saga. First appearing in the earliest campaigns and subsequent real-time strategy games, this soldier wields a simple iron blade to engage enemy troops on the front lines. While often outclassed by specialized units like Pikemen or Archers in specific matchups, the Swordsman remains a reliable, cost-effective choice for early-game skirmishes and mid-game army compositions.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Infantry
- Primary weapon
- Iron Sword
- Armor type
- Light/Chainmail (varies by civilization)
- First appearance
- Age of Empires I
- Status
- Active across multiple eras and civilizations
Lore & Background
Despite their humble origins, Swordsmen have been instrumental in the rise and fall of great dynasties. In the hands of skilled commanders, massed lines of sword-wielding infantry could break through weaker formations, acting as the anvil against which other units were hammered. Over time, civilizations developed unique variations of this unit, some favoring speed and others focusing on durability or specific counters to cavalry. Yet, regardless of the era or culture, the core identity remains: a brave warrior with nothing but a blade and his wits to defend the realm.
Reader's Guide
The Swordsman is a fundamental infantry unit available to most civilizations starting from the Feudal Age or Dark Ages. Typically costing around 50-60 food and sometimes wood, they train quickly at the Barracks. Their base health usually ranges between 40 and 70 hit points, with damage output scaling slightly as the game progresses through technology upgrades. To maximize their effectiveness, players must research specific technologies such as 'Swordsmanship' or 'Blade Armor,' which increase damage and defense respectively. These upgrades are often found in the Blacksmith or University, depending on the era. While they have average movement speed, making them slower than skirmishers but faster than heavy infantry, their balanced stats make them ideal for early aggression. Swordsmen excel against archers due to their close-range attack and decent armor, but they are vulnerable to spearmen who deal bonus damage against sword-wielders. Players should always keep a mix of units to counter these weaknesses, using the Swordsman as a durable frontline that absorbs damage while ranged units or cavalry strike from the flanks.
Did You Know?
- The Swordsman is one of the few unit types present in almost every main entry of the Age of Empires series since the original game.
- In many civilizations, the Swordsman can be upgraded to become a more specialized variant, such as the Myrmidon or Halberdier, retaining their core identity while gaining new strengths.
- Historically, the unit reflects the widespread use of iron swords in ancient warfare before the dominance of polearms and plate armor.
More in Units & Technologies
Elsewhere in Age of Empires
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced