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Basic overview

The Apache are capable of producing ranged cavalry units in age 2. You can have 8 Apache Cavalry units for each trading post that you hold. They appear on three standard maps; Texas, Sonora and Painted Desert. They are most notable for the Apache raiders technology - allowing their Apache Cavalry units to become devastating at raiding.

The unit – Apache Cavalry

Apache Cavalry are ranged cavalry units, have a ranged resistance and are available in age 2. They are most comparable to a colonial age Dragoon.

Analysis

Aside from lacking the extra bonus against Artillery, and slightly smaller bonus against the Coyote man class and slightly faster train time, Apache Cavalry are exactly identical to their European counterpart. However, it is important to note that Apache are available an age sooner - and in age 3 the Apache offer a technology that gives them a 2.5x bonus against villagers as well. On the most part if you have access to both units it is better to build the raid- capable Apache.

Technology

Apache Cactus Use

Cost: 150 wood, 100 coin

Effect: Increases villager speed and HP by 15%

Comments: If you can spare the resources, it can pay to have this technology. It does allow you to escape raids more easily, and it takes less time to re-task villagers. Not worth building the trade post to get just this however; you would generally want another reason to build it other than this technology.

Apache Raiders (Age 3)

Cost: 150 wood 150 coin

Effect: Apache Warriors do 200% more damage to villagers (2.5x multiplier vs. villagers)

Comments: The most noteworthy feature the Apache have to offer. This technology is absolutely devastating against an unprepared player, and even a prepared opponent can still take significant losses - or at worst they will spend extra resources to protect their villagers. A side note on this technology is that it takes 3 shots from an Elite Apache Cavalry unit to kill a standard villager, and 5 shots to kill a standard Coureur. Against Coureurs it can be useful to have some of your Apache engage in melee.

Apache Endurance

Cost: 300 wood, 300 coin

Effect: Infantry, cavalry and artillery have +5% speed

Comments: A very costly technology and rarely worth it until the late game. Obviously this helps faster units much more than it does slower ones. As an example it makes Musketeers 4.2 speed, Hussars 7.14 speed and Apache Cavalry 7.65 speed. Combined with other speed boosts (e.g. advanced arsenal), this technology might become more worthwhile - but on its own its benefit isn’t all that useful.

Summary

Apache Cavalry units are very capable in filling out the role of a ranged cavalry unit and are certainly one of the best raiding units in the game. For some civilizations that have a tough time against hand cavalry early in the game these units can prove invaluable in age 2, but in age 3 and onwards it can pay for any civilization to remember just how devastating the Apache can be when it comes to raiding.

On the downside Apache trading posts are generally poorly positioned on all of the maps they are on. Generally they are in between the teams on the left and right hand sides of the map, and can thus be difficult to defend. They are also rather expensive to use early in the game, and the build limit of 8 can become problematic - so be sure you have good reason to invest in both the trading post and the units themselves if you decide to use them in age 2.