Unique Unit Discussion: Slinger

Hello everyone, and Happy Friday!

Today, we're going to talk about something that, at its strongest, can end games completely, provided you research Coinage and Banking first. Wait, wrong thing. I'm actually talking about the Inca's other unique unit, the Slinger.

Unlike the slinger in AOE1, the Incan slinger is known as an anti-infantry (rather than an anti-archer) unit, and is made at the archery range instead of the Barracks.

Here are some stats:

  • Cost: 30F, 40G

  • Base Attack: 5

  • Base Armor: 0/0

  • Hit Points: 40

  • Training Time: 25 seconds

  • Base Range: 5

  • *Minimum Range: * 1

  • Accuracy: 90% (before Thumb Ring)

  • Rate of Fire: 2.03

  • Attack bonuses: +10 vs. infantry, +10 vs Condotierri, +3 vs rams, +1 vs. spearman-line

The Slinger is often compared to the Hand Cannoneer, since both get a large attack bonus against infantry. However, the Slinger has a much lower base attack and has a minimum range (which the Inca UT, Andean Sling, removes). How important, then, is researching Andean Sling for making effective use of Slingers?

The Slinger gets both extra range and attack from improved feathers, arrowheads, and archer gear (Bracer and Thumb Ring), despite the fact that it throws rocks for a living and uses nothing related to arrows or bows...

Mysteries of AOE2: how does attaching feathers to a rock make it do more damage?

In all seriousness, being affected by Blacksmith archer upgrades is another way in which the Slinger is different from the hand cannoneer. How important are the Blacksmith techs when using this unit?

The Slinger is also affected by Couriers, which gives it additional pierce armor. How much more viable does this make them against other ranged units?

Even though it is created at the Archery Range, it still receives unique-unit class armor, meaning that Samurai deal bonus damage to them. However, Samurai also take heavy anti-infantry bonus damage in return. At the same time, it is classified as a foot archer, so it benefits from team bonuses like the Britons or the Saracens, which give it a huge OP boost against buildings.

Most interestingly, the Slinger does not get an Elite upgrade, and it is the only Castle Age unique unit (and maybe the only Castle Age unit period) to not get an Imperial-Age unit upgrade. What does this mean for their long-term viability?

What maps are Slingers the best in? Worst? What is their ideal play for an Inca player (taking cost, upgrades, etc. into account).

As always, I am always open to volunteers and suggestions! See you next Friday!

Resources:

Slinger - AOE2 Wiki

Resonance22 playing with Slingers

Spirit of the Law - Inca Overview

Civ Discussion: Incas

Unrelated but Hilarious Game - The Great Inca Sacrifice

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Gbeto

Huskarl

Jaguar Warrior

Kamayuk

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