So, to keep this list intersting, let us set some ground rules, right? First of all: Only one major god per civilization allowed. That way, we make sure every civilization gets representation. Secound of all: For the purpose of "archers", I mean any unit that takes bonus damage from the Peltast, what, yes, does means the Throwing Axeman will be technically considered a archer for the purposes of this list. However, heroes and myth units that technically operate as archers( Like, say, the Centaur or some Greek heroes ) but take no bonus damage from anti-archer units will not be considered. Also, bonuses, myth technologies, or even units that dont directly affect archers/arent archers might be considered, but only in how they support their archers With that said, lets get started:
#1: Hades.
It should be quite obvious to anyone who ever played Hades( Or even, well... Read his bonuses ) why he is the best amongst the Greeks. As for the best in general: Let me see... With his bonus and all the myth upgrades, the Toxotes becomes potentially both one of the hardest-hitting archers and one of the most cost effective archers in the game, they have the Gastraphetes which is one of the longest ranged archers in the game which, again, can potentially prove to hit quite hard and can also operate as a pseudo-siege unit, and access to actually quite powerfull infantry and a host of bulky myth units to act as support for their archers. Yeah, seems good enough. Compared to other Major Gods on this list, the only thing Hades lacks, is mobility, but honestly it simply has enough raw power to make up for it.
#2: Nu Wa.
The Mounted Archer is by itself a intersting unit. It is a anti-cavalry archer, and the only one of its kind. It also has very high speed which lets it defeat most infantry units as well through sheer abusal of hit-and-run tactics, and it can actually in many ways operate sort of like a Chariot Archer( Itself a fearsome unit ) that can also kill cavalry units. It is probably the star of the Chinese where it comes to archers( Remembering that the Fire Lance is technically not considered a "archer" for the purposes of this list ). Needless to say, Nu Wa has obviously the best Mounted Archers of the Chinese in virtue of her bonus and her having access to both Chongli and Shennong upgrades, and she can also use Cho Ko Nu just as well if the situation calls for it.
However, although the Mounted Archer is powerfull and versatile, it is actually significantly inferior to Hades Toxotes when used in "standart" archer roles, as in, to provide cover fire for infantry. It is similarly inferior to the Chariot Archer in equal number battles, although it demands less population slots and, with Nu Wa upgrades, costs less, what actually makes her Mounted Archers comparable to Chariot Archers in this regard. It will not always be able to take advantage of its speed in battle either, as hit-and-run tactics can be a bad idea when, let us say, it is your base that is under attack. It also has this bizarre weakness to anti-cavalry-cavalry, in virtue of technically being treated as both a archer and a cavalry unit So, while Nu Wa Mounted Archer can take roles that Hades Toxotes cannot, I still prefer Hades Toxotes.
#3: Ra.
The Chariot Archer is already considered one of the best archers in the game as is: Fast, hard-hitting, and surprisingly bulky. The Egyptian Camelry/Chariot Archer combination is a classic, and of course, nobody pulls it quite as Ra does. Yeah, Yeah, Set is technically a bit better on the Slinger cathegory, but... Who cares? The Chariot Archer is much more powerfull and versatile anyway. Although, the Mounted Archer is kind of already a walking "Camelry/Chariot Archer" combination... But then again, Ra can easily destroy Mounted Archer based tactics in virtue of both of its favourite countering it. Honestly, now that I think of it, I probably would have put him and Nu Wa higher on and Hades in the #3 spot if it wasnt for the fact that I prefer Hades more "direct" approach. Also, Ra archers are only anything to brag about on the Heroic Age onwards, whereas the two civilizations above him both have something going for then even already on the Classical Age.
#4: Uranus.
I really wished I didnt had to rank Uranus so low, because I actually really like Atlantis archers. The Arcus is basically a Gastraphetes minus the bonus damage against buildings BUT occupiyng only two populations slots, and the Turma is basically a anti-archer archer that can, circunstnacially, be used against infantry through sheer abusal of hit-and-run tactics. Alas, Atlantis archers dont pack as much of a punch as Hades does( Even if they might be better then Zeus and Poseidon archers ), and the Turma is arguably the weakest one of the "mounted archer" triad of Chariot Archer and Mounted Archer( Even if it ironically counter both the Chariot Archer, the Mounted Archer, and Hades Toxotes ). So, Atlantis lack of many myth upgrades or considerable god bonuses for their archers makes then actually kind of on the average, better then the ones of gods with weak archers, but worst then the ones of specialized archer gods. As for why I chose Uranus: Well, you see... Nobody cares about Mail of Orichalkos( No offense about Rheia who actually is a good goddess, it is just this specific tech that is useless ) anyway, and between having the hero upgrades and its speed speeds, Uranus Turmas are exceptionally good at using hit-and-run tactics, especially against myth units after being turned into heroes.
#5: Thor.
I mean, of course that the Norse would have the worst archers in the game. I already had to give then extra credit and pretend the Throwing Axeman is a archer. And, although it is good for what it is suppose to do( Killing infantry ), it is on this awkward spot where it is somehow weak both to the typical counters to infantry AND the typical counters to archers( With the exception of Huskarls, They kill Huskarls quite well ). So even if it was a archer, it would still be nad.
Still, Thor Throwing Axeman are technically the best of the Norse, thanks to the extra armory upgrades, as well as access to Skadi tech. Still... Not exactly bragging material here, buddy.
#1: Hades.
It should be quite obvious to anyone who ever played Hades( Or even, well... Read his bonuses ) why he is the best amongst the Greeks. As for the best in general: Let me see... With his bonus and all the myth upgrades, the Toxotes becomes potentially both one of the hardest-hitting archers and one of the most cost effective archers in the game, they have the Gastraphetes which is one of the longest ranged archers in the game which, again, can potentially prove to hit quite hard and can also operate as a pseudo-siege unit, and access to actually quite powerfull infantry and a host of bulky myth units to act as support for their archers. Yeah, seems good enough. Compared to other Major Gods on this list, the only thing Hades lacks, is mobility, but honestly it simply has enough raw power to make up for it.
#2: Nu Wa.
The Mounted Archer is by itself a intersting unit. It is a anti-cavalry archer, and the only one of its kind. It also has very high speed which lets it defeat most infantry units as well through sheer abusal of hit-and-run tactics, and it can actually in many ways operate sort of like a Chariot Archer( Itself a fearsome unit ) that can also kill cavalry units. It is probably the star of the Chinese where it comes to archers( Remembering that the Fire Lance is technically not considered a "archer" for the purposes of this list ). Needless to say, Nu Wa has obviously the best Mounted Archers of the Chinese in virtue of her bonus and her having access to both Chongli and Shennong upgrades, and she can also use Cho Ko Nu just as well if the situation calls for it.
However, although the Mounted Archer is powerfull and versatile, it is actually significantly inferior to Hades Toxotes when used in "standart" archer roles, as in, to provide cover fire for infantry. It is similarly inferior to the Chariot Archer in equal number battles, although it demands less population slots and, with Nu Wa upgrades, costs less, what actually makes her Mounted Archers comparable to Chariot Archers in this regard. It will not always be able to take advantage of its speed in battle either, as hit-and-run tactics can be a bad idea when, let us say, it is your base that is under attack. It also has this bizarre weakness to anti-cavalry-cavalry, in virtue of technically being treated as both a archer and a cavalry unit So, while Nu Wa Mounted Archer can take roles that Hades Toxotes cannot, I still prefer Hades Toxotes.
#3: Ra.
The Chariot Archer is already considered one of the best archers in the game as is: Fast, hard-hitting, and surprisingly bulky. The Egyptian Camelry/Chariot Archer combination is a classic, and of course, nobody pulls it quite as Ra does. Yeah, Yeah, Set is technically a bit better on the Slinger cathegory, but... Who cares
#4: Uranus.
I really wished I didnt had to rank Uranus so low, because I actually really like Atlantis archers. The Arcus is basically a Gastraphetes minus the bonus damage against buildings BUT occupiyng only two populations slots, and the Turma is basically a anti-archer archer that can, circunstnacially, be used against infantry through sheer abusal of hit-and-run tactics. Alas, Atlantis archers dont pack as much of a punch as Hades does( Even if they might be better then Zeus and Poseidon archers ), and the Turma is arguably the weakest one of the "mounted archer" triad of Chariot Archer and Mounted Archer( Even if it ironically counter both the Chariot Archer, the Mounted Archer, and Hades Toxotes ). So, Atlantis lack of many myth upgrades or considerable god bonuses for their archers makes then actually kind of on the average, better then the ones of gods with weak archers, but worst then the ones of specialized archer gods. As for why I chose Uranus: Well, you see... Nobody cares about Mail of Orichalkos( No offense about Rheia who actually is a good goddess, it is just this specific tech that is useless ) anyway, and between having the hero upgrades and its speed speeds, Uranus Turmas are exceptionally good at using hit-and-run tactics, especially against myth units after being turned into heroes.
#5: Thor.
I mean, of course that the Norse would have the worst archers in the game. I already had to give then extra credit and pretend the Throwing Axeman is a archer
Still, Thor Throwing Axeman are technically the best of the Norse, thanks to the extra armory upgrades, as well as access to Skadi tech. Still... Not exactly bragging material here, buddy.