Berbers

The Berbers are a North African civilization featured in ''Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms. ''They have two unique units: the Camel Archer and the Genitour. They are primarily a cavalry and naval civilization. They have a campaign.

Berber (Imazighen) states have existed in North Africa since antiquity, existing alongside Romans, Vandals, and Egyptians in the region; the Berbers were also early converts to Islam, and quickly became one of the most prominent ethnicities in the Early Islamic world, alongside Arabs and Persians. In 711 AD, a coalition of Arab and Berber soldiers invaded Spain and established a kingdom that would endure for centuries and make lasting contributions to art, science, and philosophy. They were dreaded in war because of their fast horses and skilled guerrilla warriors. These facts are reflected in the game in their unique units, both of which are powerful counter units, the Camel Archer and the Genitour, two cavalry units that historically used to be very effective against European armies.

Much of their strength was represented in the fact that once they built a base they realized systems of communication in order to connect the camps to each other and respond quickly to the attacks of the enemies; so their castles and the allies' ones produce units and develop technologies in less time. Because of moving constantly in the desert, their soldiers were used to fight effectively in hostile conditions or as nomads. While Europeans' cavalry couldn't survive much there, their troops were deadly ambushers able to hit hard and quick. That's why their camels regenerates and their villagers move faster. At last, as a result of their sailing abilities, their ships are faster.

Description
''Unite the tribes of Northern Africa and prepare your naval vessels to escape the scorching heat of the Maghreb. Set sail to war-torn Iberia to conquer new riches. Can you hold your ground against the scrambled kingdoms of Iberia who are slowly uniting against you?''

Overview
The Camel Archer from the Castle is a Cavalry Archer that counters Cavalry Archers. The Genitour is a mounted Skirmisher effective against archers, available at the Archery Range for both the player and their allies. Their Castle Age technology, Kasbah, allows Castles to create units and research technologies 25% faster, for both the player and their teammates. Their Imperial Age technology, Maghrabi Camels, makes Camel troops regenerate. The Berbers have a pretty good Archery Range, but they lack the Arbalest and Parthian Tactics. The Barracks doesn't have Halberdiers. The Berbers' Stable lacks Paladins. The Dock lacks only Shipwright, but the Berbers have all the other important Dock upgrades and have access to all the late naval units. Combined with the 10% faster ship movements, the Berbers will be a strong civilization on the water. The Siege Workshop lacks Siege Ram and Siege Onager. They get a great economy although they lack Two-Man Saw.


 * Unique Unit: Camel Archer (“anti-Cavalry Archer” Cavalry Archer), Genitour (Mounted Skirmisher)
 * Unique Tech: Kasbah (Team Castles work +25% faster), Maghrabi Camels (Camel troops regenerate)

Civilization bonuses

 * Villagers move +10% faster
 * Stable units cost -15%/-20% in Castle/Imperial Age
 * Ships move +10% faster
 * Team Bonus: Genitour (mounted skirmisher) available at the Archery Range

The African Kingdoms

 * Initially, Stable units cost -20% starting from Castle Age. With patch 4.8, the cost was staggered from -15%/-20% in Castle/Imperial Age.
 * Initially cannot research Ring Archer Armor. With patch 4.8, it was added to their technology tree.

In-game Dialogue (Tamazight/Chaouith)

 * Azul - Hello
 * Eih, Ayhih - Yes
 * ancha thay ? - Your commands?
 * Tahla - Right away
 * Nougir - On my way
 * Hougirak - Orders, sir
 * Achna nougir - Going, right now
 * Imira - Immediately
 * Gher zath - Forward!
 * Ayetma Akertid - My brothers, Forward!
 * Anyas Yemmas ! - Everyone, at them!
 * Iwa yema yema - Building
 * Naadin Rabi - To extracting
 * Iwa Zabi - To mining (Going to mine)
 * Awid Aman - To foraging (Going to forage)
 * Anamejjar - To harvesting
 * Nilti - To chopping
 * Awid Isgharan- To cutting

AI Player Names

 * Abd al- Mu'min - a prominent member of the Almohad movement. As a leader of the Almohad Movement (since 1130), he became the first Caliph of the Almohad Empire (reigned 1147–63).
 * Abdallah ibn Yasin - a theologian and founder of the Almoravid movement and dynasty (died 7 July 1059 C.E. in "Krifla" near Rommani, Morocco).
 * Abu Bakr ibn Umar - a chieftain of the Lamtuna Berber Tribe and commander of the Almoravids from 1056 until his death.
 * Abu Yazid - a Ibadi Berber of the Banu Ifran tribe who led a rebellion against the Fatimid Caliphate in Ifriqiya (modern Tunisia and eastern Algeria) starting in 944.
 * Ibn Tumart - a Muslim Berber religious scholar, teacher and political leader, came from southern Morocco. He founded and served as the spiritual leader of the Almohad movement.
 * Idris I - the first Arab ruler and founder of the Idrisid dynasty, ruling from 788 to 791. He is credited with founding the dynasty that was instrumental in the early Islamization of Morocco.
 * Kusayla - his name means "leopard" in the Berber language, died in the year 690 AD fighting Muslim invaders, was a 7th-century Berber Christian king of the kingdom of Altava and leader of the Awraba tribe of the Imazighen.
 * Maysara - a Berber rebel leader and original architect of the Great Berber Revolt that erupted in 739-743 against the Umayyad Muslim empire.
 * Musa ibn Nusayr - served as a governor and general under the Umayyad caliph Al-Walid I. He ruled over the Muslim provinces of North Africa (Ifriqiya), and directed the Islamic conquest of the Visigothic Kingdom in Hispania (Spain, Portugal, Andorra and part of France).
 * Salih ibn Tarif - the second king of the Berghouata Berber kingdom, and proclaimed himself a prophet of a new religion. He appeared during the caliphate of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik in 744 AD.
 * Tariq ibn Ziyad - was a Muslim commander who led the Islamic Umayyad conquest of Visigothic Hispania in 711–718 A.D. Under the orders of the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I he led a large army and crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from the North African coast, consolidating his troops at what is today known as the Rock of Gibraltar. The name "Gibraltar" is the Spanish derivation of the Arabic name Jabal Ṭāriq (جبل طارق), meaning "mountain of Ṭāriq", which is named after him.

Trivia

 * The Berbers are featured in El Cid campaign as one of the antagonistic factions in the late campaign, and are represented by Saracens and Turks. They also appeared in the Tours scenario of the battle of the Conquerors and are also represented by Saracens.
 * The ship speed bonus does not improve the efficiency of the Berbers' Trade Cogs, as they are affected by the speed increase, but earn less gold per trip to compensate this effect, so that the gather rate remains the same in total.