Galley (Age of Empires II)

For the related Age of Empires III unit, see Galley (Age of Empires III). Galleys are the first naval units available at the Dock once Feudal Age is reached in Age of Empires II. Galleys are small, fast ships primarily used for scouting and attacking other units vulnerable to attack. Galleys can be upgraded to War Galley, and later to a Galleon. The Galley has the attack equivalent of an Crossbowman.

History
"Warships largely disappeared in Europe during the Dark Ages because no civilization other than the Byzantines possessed the wealth and organization necessary for maintaining any sort of navy. As the centuries passes, a few small warships again appeared in the Western Mediterranean. These were oar-powered galleys used primarily for scouting and chasing down pirates that plagued sea trade. The best warship in the West were built and maintained by the Byzantines, who alone had carried on their shipbuilding traditions since ancient times."

Tactics
Whilst being a relatively weak naval unit compared to its successors, the Galley is effective in numbers, able to take out enemy ships with ease, providing their numbers are great enough. They are also effective at wiping out enemy Fishing Ships and other economic units within close proximity to the coast.

Galleys are also fantastic Transport Ship escorts in the Feudal Age, being able to offer defense and divide fire. They excel mostly in guarding and destroying enemy fishing fleets. Building Galleys en masse is incredibly helpful for when the time arises that they can be upgraded to the more competent War Galley.

Civilization Bonuses

 * Persians: Galleys are created 10%/15%/20% faster in Feudal/ Castle / Imperial age.
 * Celtish herdables cannot be stolen within a Galley's Line of Sight.
 * Chinese: Technologies that benefits Galleys are 10%/15%/20% cheaper in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age.
 * Aztecs: Galleys are created 15% faster.
 * Vikings: Galleys cost -20%.
 * Saracens: Galleys attack 20% faster.
 * Italians: Dock technologies and upgrades that benefits Galleys are 50% cheaper.
 * Berbers: Galleys are 10% faster.
 * Portuguese: Galleys have +10% HP.

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Japanese: Galleys have +50% LOS.
 * A team containing Teutons: Galleys are more resistant to conversion.

Changes in The Forgotten expansion

 * Vikings: Galleys cost 10%/15%/20% less in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age.