Worked out · AoE3: DE 100.19.18309
Counters
Which unit beats which when both sides spend the same resources, computed from each unit's hit points, attacks, damage multipliers, resists and cost in the game files — 114 regular infantry, cavalry and artillery units of all 24 civilizations, base stats.
This section as JSON: /raw/counters.json
The 12 most common units
Row against column. The number is the edge: how many times the loser's spending the winner effectively has. Green = the row unit wins, red = it loses.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uhlan | 7.3 | 3.1 | 9.3 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 1.2 | −1.7 | 2.8 | −1.6 | 1.1 | 1.9 | |
| Culverin | −7.3 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 1.3 | −6.5 | −2.5 | −3.7 | −1.1 | −2 | −2.7 | −1.7 | |
| Falconet | −3.1 | −1.2 | 2.1 | 1.1 | −2.8 | −1.1 | −1.3 | 1.9 | 1.4 | −1.2 | 1.7 | |
| Gatling Gun | −9.3 | −2.6 | −2.1 | −1.9 | −8.3 | −3.1 | −3.3 | −1.3 | −1.8 | −3.4 | −1.5 | |
| Horse Artillery | −3.4 | −1.3 | −1.1 | 1.9 | −3 | −1.1 | −1.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 | −1.2 | 1.6 | |
| Hussar | −1.1 | 6.5 | 2.8 | 8.3 | 3 | 1.1 | −1.9 | 2.5 | −1.7 | −1 | 1.7 | |
| Dragoon | −1.2 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 1.1 | −1.1 | −3.3 | 1.3 | −1.4 | −1 | −1.7 | |
| Pikeman | 1.7 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 1.1 | −1.2 | 3.1 | −1 | |
| Grenadier | −2.8 | 1.1 | −1.9 | 1.3 | −1.8 | −2.5 | −1.3 | −1.1 | −1.3 | −1.4 | −1.3 | |
| Musketeer | 1.6 | 2 | −1.4 | 1.8 | −1.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | −1.1 | |
| Carbine Cavalry | −1.1 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 1 | 1 | −3.1 | 1.4 | −1.4 | −1.6 | |
| Crossbowman | −1.9 | 1.7 | −1.7 | 1.5 | −1.6 | −1.7 | 1.7 | 1 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.6 |
Infantry: hardest counter of each
Cavalry: hardest counter of each
Artillery: hardest counter of each
| Unit | Beaten hardest by | Beats hardest | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falconet |  Retainer ×4 |  Bersagliere ×2.8 | 47% |
| Horse Artillery | Retainer ×4.3 | Bersagliere ×2.6 | 45% |
 Flaming Arrow | Retainer ×4.8 | Bersagliere ×2.3 | 41% |
 Light Cannon | Retainer ×5.4 |  Organ Gun ×2.4 | 27% |
 Leather Cannon | Retainer ×6.7 | Organ Gun ×1.9 | 24% |
 Hand Mortar | Retainer ×7 | Organ Gun ×3.1 | 8% |
| Culverin | Retainer ×9.2 | Organ Gun ×2.8 | 7% |
 Siege Elephant |  Veteran Oprichnik ×10.4 | Organ Gun ×2.8 | 6% |
| Gatling Gun | Retainer ×11.7 | Bersagliere ×1.1 | 3% |
| Organ Gun | Retainer ×9 | Bersagliere ×1 | 1% |
 Sebastopol Mortar | — | — | 0% |
How this is worked out
One hit = damage × every multiplier matching the target's unit types × (1 − the target's resist to that damage type). Two ranged units trade shots; against a unit with no ranged attack the better of ranged and melee is used. Damage per second = hit ÷ seconds between attacks.
Armies of equal cost (food + wood + coin + influence) fight by Lanchester's square law: strength = (resources ÷ unit cost)² × damage per second × hit points. Edge = √(strength ratio). "Wins" = share of the other 113 units it beats.
Not modelled: upgrades and cards, range and speed (kiting), area damage (cannons, Cuirassiers, Grenadiers hit several units — marked on their pages), and abilities. Mansabdars and town militia are left out of the pool.
Questions
›What counters Musketeers in AoE3?
For the same resources, Jaguar Prowl Knight beats Musketeers hardest of all regular units (edge ×1.8, base stats, AoE3: DE 100.19.18309). Musketeers win 65% of their matchups.
›What counters Hussars in AoE3?
For the same resources, Puma Spearman beats Hussars hardest of all regular units (edge ×2.2, base stats). Hussars win 59% of their matchups.