Banner army

Banner Armies are available to the Chinese in Age of Empires III. They are pre-determined combinations of five troops, each designed to be manufactured en masse for a large army. There are numerous banner armies, available from the barracks, castle or home city shipments. Banner armies are an advantage for those without the time or skill to micromanage production, or those who plan to fight a certain type of engagement. However, the average cost of a banner army is high, since they often incorporate cavalry or artillery--this, and the fixed minimum of five soldiers at a time banner armies impose, can make it difficult to scramble troops quickly. The closest thing to a banner army possessed by any other civilization are the allied forces available to all three Asian civilizations.

List of banner armies

 * The Old Han Army: 3 Chu Ko Nu, 3 Qiang Pikeman 255 Food, 180 Wood, available in the Colonial Age.
 * Standard Army: 3 Chu Ko Nu, 2 Steppe Rider 255 Food, 170 Gold, available in the Colonial Age.
 * Ming Army: 2 Qiang Pikeman, 3 Keshik 345 Food, 120 Wood, available in the Colonial Age.
 * Territorial Army: 3 Changdao, 3 Arquebusier 285 Food, 255 Gold, available in the Fortress Age.
 * Forbidden Army: 2 Iron Flail, 2 Meteor Hammer 480 Food, 350 Gold, available in the Fortress Age.
 * Imperial Army: 3 Arquebusier, 2 Iron Flail 480 Food, 255 Gold, available in the Fortress Age.
 * Mongolian Army: 3 Keshik, 3 Hand Mortar 495 Food, 270 Gold, available in the Fortress Age.
 * Black Flag Army: 3 Arquebusier, 1 Flamethrower 170 Wood, 425 Gold, available in the Fortress Age.