= Long Swordsman =

Learn how to train and upgrade the powerful Long Swordsman in Age of Empires IV. Discover its stats, costs, and the research needed to maximize its effectiveness on the battlefield.

Alright, let's talk about the Long Swordsman in Age of Empires IV. This unit is a solid upgrade from the Broad Swordsman and represents a key step in your infantry development during the Iron Age. Think of it as your go-to melee fighter for a good chunk of the early to mid-game.

Stats & Costs:

• Upgrade Cost: 160 Food, 50 Gold
• Training Cost: 35 Food, 15 Gold
• Hit Points: 80
• Attack: 11
• Armor: 2
• Range: 0 (Melee unit)
• Speed: Medium
• Upgrades From: Broad Swordsman
• Train At: Barracks

What You Need to Get There:

Before you can even think about training Long Swordsmen, you've got a few prerequisites:

• You need to have built your Town Center.
• You need a Barracks constructed.
• You must have researched the Short Sword upgrade.
• Then, you'll need to research the Broad Sword upgrade.
• Finally, you can research the Long Sword upgrade itself at the Barracks.

Why This Unit Matters:

The Long Swordsman is a significant improvement over the Broad Swordsman. It boasts more hit points, a higher attack value, and better armor. This makes it much more survivable in combat and more effective at dealing damage. It's the backbone of many early infantry pushes.

Further Upgrades:

Don't stop here! The Long Swordsman can be further upgraded to the formidable Legion. To really make your Long Swordsmen shine on the battlefield, consider these research paths:

• Attack Strength: Research Toolworking, Metalworking, and Metallurgy. These will boost your melee attack power.
• Armor: Look into Leather Armor, Scale Armor, and Chain Mail. These will significantly increase your unit's defensive capabilities.
• Piercing Armor: For extra protection against arrows and other piercing attacks, research the Bronze Shield and Iron Shield upgrades.

A Little History (Because It's Cool):

The long sword itself was a major leap in weapon design. It was developed to be effective at both slashing and piercing, combining the best features of earlier swords. Its creation was thanks to advances in metalworking, first with bronze and then with iron. Some historians even link the spread of long swords among barbarian tribes to the collapse of major Mediterranean civilizations around 1200 B.C. It remained a primary military weapon for centuries, right up until gunpowder weapons became dominant.