Saracens

The Saracens are a Middle Eastern Civilization featured in Age of Empires II who specialize in Camels and offer robust offensive capabilities. They were also known as the Arabians and were the dominant tribe in Western Asia and North Africa. Situated in the crossroads of the world, they were most notable for initiating the rise of Islam and starting the Islamic Caliphate. They occupy one of the largest territories during that time until the Mongol invasions. 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 have a small bonus when it comes to naval warfare. 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, they have a bonus when it comes to trading, as their market trading cost is only 5% which is much smaller 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. 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. 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 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 (مستعد)/mosta'edaton (مستعدةٌ) (ready)
 * Saheeh (صحيح) (true)
 * Hassanan (حسنًا) (okay)
 * Sa af'al (سافعل) (i will do it)
 * Hattabon (حطاب)/hattabaton (حطابة) (woodcutter)
 * Bahithon aan el taam (باحث عن الطعام)/bahithaton aan el taam (باحثة عن الطعام) (looking for food)
 * Sayyadon (صياد)/sayyadaton (صيادة) (hunter)
 * Sayyad samak (صياد سمك)/sayyadato samak (صيادة سمك)(fisher)
 * Muzare'on (مزارع)/mozaare'aton (مزارعة) (farmer)
 * Amelo mangam (عامل منجم)/amelato mangam (عاملة منجم) (miner)
 * Banna'on (بناء)/banna'aton (بناءة) (builder)
 * Morammemon (مرمم)/morammemmaton (مرممة) (restorer)
 * Hojoom! (هجوم) (attack!)
 * Al quetal! (القتال) (we'll fight!)
 * Al hojoom! (الهجوم) (we attack!)