Axeman

"Infantry. Only good against other infantry."
In-game description

The Axeman is an Egyptian counter-infantry infantry in Age of Mythology that can be trained at the Barracks once the Classical Age is reached.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strong vs.
Hippeus • Prodromos • Spearman • Jarl • War Elephant • Berserk • Camel Rider • Huskarl • Hersir • Raiding Cavalry

Weak vs.
Toxotes • Hypaspist • Cheiroballista • Chariot Archer • Throwing Axeman • Axeman

Technologies

General Technologies

Offense
Image	Name	Description
	Copper Weapons	+10% damage
	Bronze Weapons	+10% damage
	Iron Weapons	+10% damage

Defense
Image	Name	Description
	Copper Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
	Bronze Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
	Iron Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
	Copper Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
	Bronze Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
	Iron Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability

Utility
Image	Name	Description
	Levy Infantry	-20% training time
	Conscript Infantry	-20% training time

Myth Technologies

Name	God	Description
Phobos' Spear of Panic	Ares	+1 divine damage
Sarissa	Athena	+10% hack damage, +1 attack range
Aegis Shield	Athena	-15% pierce vulnerability
Oracle	Apollo	+4 Line of Sight
Dionysia	Dionysus	+5% hit points

Upgrades

Age	Upgrade	Cost	Effect
Classical Age	Medium Infantry	150, 150, 20 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +10% hit points, +10% damage, +1 Line of Sight
Heroic Age	Heavy Infantry	300, 300, 30 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +15% hit points, +20% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Medium Infantry
Mythic Age	Champion Infantry	500, 400, 40 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +20% hit points, +30% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Heavy Infantry

Relic Bonuses

Image	Name	Description
	Armor of Achilles	-5% hack vulnerability
	Canopic Jar of Imsety	+25% training speed
	Gaia's Book of Knowledge	+3.0 attack multiplier vs. Titans
	Pelt of Argus	+6 Line of Sight
	Thundercloud Shawl	-5% pierce vulnerability
	Gungnir, Odin's Spear	+5% attack

Gameplay

Like the Slinger, the Axeman is a hard counter unit possessing a large bonus against infantry units and Norse Heroes. Infantry are commonly used in the Classical Age, especially by Norse players. As Axemen are cheap and quick to train, Egyptian players can rapidly mass them to wipe out any early threat from infantry.

Axemen have a poor normal attack and are very vulnerable to ranged attacks from archers and counter-archers due to their abysmal pierce armor. To mitigate this, they can be supported by counter-archer units such as the Slinger. Axemen fare acceptably against cavalry if they outnumber them well enough, although the Spearman is always a better choice to occupy this role.

As with all Barracks units, Axemen are weaker than Migdol Stronghold units. The Chariot Archer is much more versatile and can occupy the anti-infantry role to a certain extent. On the other hand, Axemen deal nearly twice as much damage to infantry as Chariots do. Furthermore, Horus worshipers may find a use for Axemen, as his Axe of Vengeance technology turns them into building-wreckers. This can be further supplemented if the player chose Sekhmet for the Heroic Age beforehand, as she grants Scarabs and enhanced Catapults and Siege Towers which can support the Horus-enhanced Axemen.

History

"The two-handed piercing axe was especially useful as a weapon against heavily armored opponents because the axe could penetrate almost any armor. The axe was difficult to use, however, because it was unwieldy, required space to enable a swing, was relatively slow in use, and left the axe man exposed during the swing. Opponents slowed by heavy armor and shields had less opportunity to take advantage of these handicaps."
In-game compendium

Gallery

Trivia

The Axeman wields an epsilon axe, which is also used in the icon of the Barracks.
In the Spanish version of Age of Mythology, the Axeman's name is incorrectly translated as "Axe Thrower" (Lanzador de hachas).