After the Sharpshooters finished their last slaughter, some Grand Elves stepped up to the plate. Sure, the Sharpshooters beat the Lizard Warriors and Marksmen combined, but the best of the original archers, Grand Elves, were left out. So, what happens if the battle is repeated with Grand Elves also participating? Can the Sharpshooters still claim victory?

The Combatants

Lizard Warriors are perhaps the most unpopular shooter in Heroes III, and they come from what is probably the most unpopular town in the game. They come from the upgraded level 2 dwelling in the Fortress town. Lizard Warriors did recieve improved stats in Shadow of Death/Heroes III Complete that improved their Health, Attack, Defense, Damage, and Weekly Production. Cost: 140 Gold Advantages: ranged attack Quote: Please don't confuse me with Jar-Jar... and tell Rogue to move the cursor before taking screenshots.

Marksmen come from the upgraded level 2 creature dwelling in the Castle town. They're relatively popular because of their double attack. Cost: 150 Gold Advantages: faster than lizard warriors, shoots twice Quote: These helmets don't do a damn thing...

Grand Elves come from the upgraded level 3 creature dwelling in the Rampart town. They're very popular because of their double attack, high damage, good attack, defense, speed, health... well, they're just good. Cost: 225 Gold Advantages: shoots twice, decent stats Quote: White and grey? This isn't helping us hide in the forest...

Sharpshooters don't come from any particular town, but are trained by a Vori Elf named Gelu in secret treetop ninja fortresses. Gelu takes the best Archers, Marksmen, Elves, and Grand Elves, and trains them to be Sharpshooters. Cost: 400 Gold Advantages: high speed, high damage, no range or barrier penalty Quote: Gelu chose us over you for a reason... We rule and you suck.

The Numbers

Based on Attack, Defense, and Damage values.

• Average damage per Lizard warrior is 3.5
• Average damage per Marksman is 2.5
• Average damage per Grand Elf is 4
• Average damage per Sharpshooter is 9
• Lizard Warriors deal 90% damage versus Sharpshooters
• Marksmen deal 90% damage versus Sharpshooters
• Grand Elves deal 98% damage versus Sharpshooters
• Sharpshooters deal 145% damage versus Marksmen
• Sharpshooters deal 135% damage versus Grand Elves
• Sharpshooters deal 120% damage versus Lizard Warriors

Round 1

Sharpshooters attack the Grand Elves because they are the biggest threat

• 9 damage * 50 sharpshooters = 450 damage
• 450 damage * 135% = 607 damage

40 Grand elves die (top has 8 health)

Grand Elves attack

• 4 damage * 10 Grand Elves = 40 damage
• 40 damage * 98% = 39 damage
• 39 damage / 2 (for range) = 19 damage
• 15 damage * 2 shots = 38 damage

2 Sharpshooters die (top has 7 health)

Marksmen attack

• 2.5 damage * 50 Marksmen = 125 damage
• 125 damage * 90% = 112 damage
• 112 damage / 2 (for range) = 56 damage
• 56 damage * 2 shots = 112 damage

8 Sharpshooters die (top has full health)

Lizard Warriors attack

• 3.5 damage * 50 Lizard Warriors = 175 damage
• 175 damage * 90% = 157 damage
• 157 damage / 2 (for range) = 78 damage

5 Sharpshooters die (top has 12 health)

Round 1 Survivors (and health of top creature)

• 35 Sharpshooters (12/15)
• 10 Grand Elves (8/15)
• 50 Marksmen (15/15)
• 50 Lizard Warriors (15/15)

Round 2

Sharpshooters attack Marksmen

• 9 damage * 35 sharpshooters = 315 damage
• 315 damage * 145% = 456 damage

45 Marksmen die, top has 4 health

Grand Elves attack

• 4 damage * 10 Grand Elves = 40 damage
• 40 damage * 98% = 39 damage
• 39 damage / 2 (for range) = 19 damage
• 15 damage * 2 shots = 38 damage

2 Sharpshooters die, top has 4 health

Marksmen attack

2.5 damage * 5 Marksmen = 12 damage

12 damage * 90% = 10 damage

10 damage / 2 (for range) = 5 damage

5 damage * 2 shots = 10 damage

1 Sharpshooter dies, top has 9 health

Lizard Warriors attack

• 3.5 damage * 50 Lizard Warriors = 175 damage
• 175 damage * 90% = 157 damage
• 157 damage / 2 (for range) = 78 damage

5 Sharpshooters die, top has 1 health

Round 2 survivors (and health of top creature)

• 27 Sharpshooters (1/15)
• 10 Grand Elves (8/15)
• 5 Marksmen (4/10)
• 50 Lizard Warriors (15/15)

Round 3

Sharpshooters attack Lizard Warriors

• 9 damage * 27 sharpshooters = 243 damage
• 243 damage * 120% = 291 damage

19 Lizard Warriors die, top has 9 health

Grand Elves attack

4 damage * 10 Grand Elves = 40 damage

40 damage * 98% = 39 damage

39 damage / 2 (for range) = 19 damage

15 damage * 2 shots = 38 damage

3 Sharpshooters die, top has 8 health

Marksmen attack

• 2.5 damage * 5 Marksmen = 12 damage
• 12 damage * 90% = 10 damage
• 10 damage / 2 (for range) = 5 damage
• 5 damage * 2 shots = 10 damage

1 Sharpshooter dies, top has 13 health

Lizard Warriors attack

• 3.5 damage * 31 Lizard Warriors = 108 damage
• 108 damage * 90% = 97 damage
• 97 damage / 2 (for range) = 48 damage

3 Sharpshooters die, top has 10 health

Round 3 survivors (and health of top creature)

• 20 Sharpshooters (10/15)
• 10 Grand Elves (8/15)
• 5 Marksmen (4/10)
• 31 Lizard Warriors (9/15)

Round 4

Sharpshooters attack Lizard Warriors

• 9 damage * 20 Sharpshooters = 180 damage
• 180 damage * 120% = 216 damage

14 Lizard Warriors die, top has 3 health left

Grand Elves attack

• 4 damage * 10 Grand Elves = 40 damage
• 40 damage * 98% = 39 damage
• 39 damage / 2 (for range) = 19 damage
• 15 damage * 2 shots = 38 damage

2 Sharpshooters die, top has 2 health

Marksmen attack

• 2.5 damage * 5 Marksmen = 12 damage
• 12 damage * 90% = 10 damage
• 10 damage / 2 (for range) = 5 damage
• 5 damage * 2 shots = 10 damage

1 Sharpshooter dies, top has 7 health

Lizard Warriors attack

• 3.5 damage * 17 Lizard Warriors = 59 damage
• 59 damage * 90% = 53 damage
• 53 damage / 2 (for range) = 26 damage

2 Sharpshooters die, top has 11 health

Round 4 Survivors (and health of top creature)

• 15 Sharpshooters (11/15)
• 10 Grand Elves (8/15)
• 5 Marksmen (4/10)
• 17 Lizard Warriors (3/15)

Round 5

Sharpshooters attack Grand Elves

• 9 damage * 15 Sharpshooters = 135 damage
• 135 damage * 135% = 182 damage

10 grand elves are killed (39 damage overkill)

Marksmen attack

• 2.5 damage * 5 Marksmen = 12 damage
• 12 damage * 90% = 10 damage
• 10 damage / 2 (for range) = 5 damage
• 5 damage * 2 shots = 10 damage

Top Sharpshooter is reduced to 1 health

Lizard Warriors attack

• 3.5 damage * 17 Lizard Warriors = 59 damage
• 59 damage * 90% = 53 damage
• 53 damage / 2 (for range) = 26 damage

2 Sharpshooters die, top one has 5 health left.

Round 5 Survivors (and health of top creature)

• 13 Sharpshooters (5/15)
• 5 Marksmen (4/10)
• 17 Lizard Warriors (3/15)

Round 6

Sharpshooters attack Lizard Warriors

• 9 damage * 13 Sharpshooters = 117 damage
• 117 damage * 120% = 140 damage

10 Lizard Warriors die, top has 13 health

Marksmen attack

• 2.5 damage * 5 Marksmen = 12 damage
• 12 damage * 90% = 10 damage
• 10 damage / 2 (for range) = 5 damage
• 5 damage * 2 shots = 10 damage

1 Sharpshooter dies, top has 10 health left

Lizard Warriors attack

• 3.5 damage * 7 Lizard Warriors = 24 damage
• 24 damage * 90% = 21 damage
• 21 damage /2 (for range) = 10 damage

1 Sharpshooter dies, top has full health

Round 6 Survivors (and health of top creature)

11 Sharpshooters (15/15)

5 Marksmen (4/10)

7 Lizard Warriors (13/15)

Conclusion

The battle will last two more rounds. The Sharpshooters will finish off the Marksmen and Lizard Warriors in the remaining two rounds. It doesn't matter which order, and no more Sharpshooters will die. As you can see, Sharpshooters are definitely the ultimate archer, and 1 Sharpshooter is better than the other 3 types of archers combined. Sharpshooters are also cheaper at 400 gold each, compared to 415 gold to buy one each of the other three archers. The Sharpshooters win the Archer division!

Of course, this battle just had all of the creatures standing still and shooting each other. It would have made sense to move some of the creatures forward into range to deal full damage, but that would have costed them a turn of shooting, and no matter how you slice it, the Sharpshooters will win this battle. In the future, I might have to have the mages duke it out.