As the rules says, a defender can answer back if : - he actually can - he's at the right distance to do so - he's not a ballista or a catapult Warship has a range of 4, and archer has a max range of 3, but the warship gets counter attacked no matter the distance. Didn't see if the favourable wind was up at the opponent's turn, there was snow at first, but might have changed in between.