Enemy force lacking some archers (3)
I believe the answer is:
foe
This clue could be a double definition.
'enemy' is the first definition.
(foe can mean an enemy or rival)
'force lacking some archers' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for foe that I've seen before include "friend never!" , "Someone opposing" , "Antagonist" , "Am archaic enemy" , "Adversary" .)