Saracens

The Saracens are a Middle Eastern civilization featured in Age of Empires II specializing in Camels and, classified as a camel-and-naval civilization, offer robust offensive capabilities on land and water.

The term "Saracen" has a disputed etymology, and historically has meant different things; most relevant here, it was the medieval European exonym for Arabs. The first significant Saracen kingdoms were the Ghassanids and Lakhmids, which were proxy states of the Byzantine and Persian Empires, respectively. In the 600s AD, starting with the rise of Islam and the campaigns of the Rashidun Caliphate, the Saracens became a dominant power in Western Asia and North Africa.

Under the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates, the Saracens expanded their territory immensely. In that time, they presided over the largest empire ever to exist - larger than Rome, and unmatched until the Mongol invasions. In Saladin's campaign, they represent medieval Egypt, specifically the Ayyubid Sultanate. Their in-game design thus seems like an amalgamation of various Arab groups from different time periods.

Situated in the crossroads of the world, they were most notable for initiating the rise of Islam and starting the Arab conquests. To reflect their achievement as a powerful desert civilization and for founding one of the major religions of the world, their unique technologies benefit their Monks and camel units including the Mameluke. They also gave importance to their navy to protect their shores from Byzantine assault, which is reflected with their naval bonus which gives their Galleys a 20% faster attack and gives them the best Transport Ships in the game, with more hitpoints and a bigger carry capacity.

The Saracens were also active traders being located at the crossroads of the world which was a prime center for world trade. As a result, their Markets are 75% cheaper, costing only 100 wood. Their Market trading cost is only 5% which is much less than the other civilizations.

Overview
The Saracens are a civilization with strong Camel units. The Saracen Cavalry Archer also receives a +3 attack bonus against buildings, and their team bonus gives foot archers a +1 attack boost against buildings. The Saracen heavy cavalry line is inferior to other civilizations, as they lack the Cavalier/Paladin upgrade, but all other cavalry technologies and units are available. Their unique unit is the Mameluke, a type of light camel cavalry with a large attack bonus against cavalry, also being extremely effective against buildings. They are also capable of taking down archers and light infantry as well since they deal melee damage at a distance.

The Saracens have a formidable army, since they can produce all Archer units as well as every Infantry unit trained at the Barracks, except the Halberdier. They also have access to all gunpowder units, and all Blacksmith upgrades as well. These units can provide great cover for their camel units. The Saracens are also known for their strong naval power, as their Galleys attack 20% faster than other civilisations’ galleys. They are able to produce all ships except for the Fast Fire Ship. Their transport ships are able to carry five more units than other civilizations and have twice the total hit points. To reflect their devotion to Islam, they have all technologies at the Monastery available. Their economy is not particularly strong since they lack the many economic upgrades, however, their Market trade cost is reduced to 5% as one of their civilization bonuses.


 * Unique Unit: Mameluke (anti-cavalry camel with ranged attack)
 * Unique Technologies: Zealotry  (Camels and Mamelukes have more HP), Madrasah (33% of a Monk's gold cost are returned if the monk gets killed)

Civilization bonuses

 * Market trade cost is 5% of goods (rather than 30%)
 * Transport Ships have +100% HP and +5 carry capacity
 * Galleys attack 20% faster
 * Cavalry Archers have +3 attack bonus vs standard buildings
 * Team Bonus: Foot archers have +1 attack bonus vs buildings

Changes in The Forgotten

 * Market costs -75 wood
 * Non-elite Mamelukes get +1 attack.

In-game dialogue language (Arabic)

 * Na'am (نعم) (yes)
 * Salam (سلام) (hello)
 * Amron (امرٌ) (orders?)
 * Mosta'edon (مستعدٌ)/mosta'edaton (مستعدةٌ) (ready)
 * Saheeh (صحيح) (true)
 * Hassanan (حسناً) (okay)
 * Sa af'al (سأفعل) (i will do it)
 * Hattabon (ٌحطاب)/hattabaton (حطابةٌ) (woodcutter)
 * Bahithon aan el taam (باحثٌ عن الطَََعامِ)/bahithaton aan el taam (باحثةٌ عن الطعام) (searcher for food)
 * Sayyadon (ٌصياد)/sayyadaton (صيادةٌ) (hunter)
 * Sayyad samak (صيادُ سمك)/sayyadato samak (صيادة سمك)(fisher)
 * Muzare'on (مُزارعٌ)/mozaare'aton (مزارعةٌ) (farmer)
 * Amelo mangam (عامِلُ مَنجم)/amelato mangam (عًامِلةُ منجم) (miner)
 * Banna'on (بناءٌ)/banna'aton (بناءةٌ) (builder)
 * Morammemon (مرمََمٌ)/morammemmaton (مرمََمةٌ) (repairer)
 * Hojoom! (هجوم) (attack!)
 * Al quetal! (القتال) (we'll fight!)
 * Al hojoom! (الهجوم) (we attack!)

AI player names

 * Al-Mu'tasim
 * Atabeg Zangi
 * Baibars
 * Caliph Abu Bekr
 * General Khalid
 * General Shirkuh
 * Kala'un
 * Kerboga
 * Nur-ed-din
 * Saladin

Trivia

 * The Saracens are the only civilization to get all seven technologies introduced in The Conquerors.