Demolition Raft

"Filled with explosives. Self-destructs when used."

- Age of Empires II description

The Demolition Raft is a naval vessel in Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms that can be trained at the Dock once the Feudal Age is reached. Demolition Rafts are automatically upgraded to Demolition Ships when the War Galley upgrade is researched.

It is packed with explosives that blow up against enemy ships, Docks, land units caught in shallows and anything too close the shore.

Both the Demolition Raft and the Fire Galley were introduced in The African Kingdoms to make the naval battle in the Feudal Age more versatile. Before their introduction, the only military vessel available in the Feudal Age was the Galley, so battle was very linear.

Demolition Rafts are available to all civilizations except for the Aztecs and Koreans.

Tactics
Demolition Rafts are the fastest military vessels in the game and can chase down enemy ships easily. Their low hit points and armor, however, make them vulnerable to any kind of attack. They are best used against groups of Galleys, Fire Galleys, or to destroy enemy Docks.

Due to the absence of strong and long-ranged land units, Demolition Rafts are very effective when used against them in the shallows.

Further Statistics
Civilization Bonuses=
 * Berbers: Demolition Rafts move 10% faster.
 * Celts: Herdables cannot be stolen within a Demolition Raft's Line of Sight.
 * Chinese: Technologies that benefit Demolition Rafts are 15%/20% cheaper in the Castle/Imperial Age. Demolition Rafts have +50% HP.
 * Italians: Researching Careening, Dry Dock, and Shipwright is 50% cheaper.
 * Persians: Demolition Rafts are created 10%/15%/20% faster in the Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age. Careening and the upgrade to the Demolition Ship are researched 15%/20% faster in the Castle/Imperial Age. Dry Dock is researched 20% faster.
 * Portuguese:Demolition Rafts have +10% HP and cost 15% less gold.
 * Vikings: Demolition Rafts are 20% cheaper.
 * -|Team Bonuses=
 * A team containing Teutons: Demolition Rafts are more resistant to conversion.

Trivia

 * Demolition Rafts, Fire Galleys, and Galleys are the only units in the game sharing an upgrade.
 * Despite being introduced in The African Kingdoms, the Demolition Raft is shown with a The Conquerors icon in the Scenario Editor.