Civilizations (Age of Empires II)

The playable factions in Age of Empires II are based on prominent civilizations or nations that were at the peak of their might between the times of the fall of Rome and the early age of discovery (XVI century).

Each civilization in the game has one or two focused military strengths, meaning units or buildings that fall into those categories are usually given most-to-all of the available upgrades in addition to favorable stat boosts by the game and will likely be part of effective battle strategies during matches. While it is possible to put the focus elsewhere other than their advantageous trait (e.g, a Persian player relying primarily on standard Barracks troops rather than cavalry), it is usually not advisable to do so, because most of the civilization bonuses will not apply to those additional fields. It can still be effective and create a moment of surprise if non-typical units are created.

Here is the complete list of civilizations in Age of Empires II.

Britons
Overview=
 * Specialty: Foot archers
 * Unique Unit: Longbowman (Foot archer with long range)
 * Unique Technology: Yeomen (+1 Foot archer range; +2 tower attack)
 * Wonder: Aachen Cathedral
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Archery Ranges work 20% faster
 * Town Centers cost upon reaching the Castle Age
 * Foot archers (excluding skirmishers) have +1 range in Castle Age, +1 in Imperial Age (for +2 total)
 * Shepherds work 25% faster

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Britons are a Western European foot archer civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings. Their unique unit is the Longbowman, from their historical use of the Welsh Longbow in their campaigns. Longbowmen are archers with higher attack and range than every other archer in the game, even outranging castles and Towers later in the game. Their castle unique technology Yeomen references the fact that the Britons heavily relied on archery, thus giving their foot archers even more range, as well as increasing their tower damage. The Britons were known for their small villages scattered across England, as well as their tactics of encroaching on enemies with strongholds and thus get cheaper Town Centers. Known as skilled shepherds and heavily involved in the wool trade, British shepherds work faster. For a time in England, all sports but archery were banned, thus the Britons also sport faster Archery Ranges and longer ranged foot archers. However, their lack of access to Paladins or Hussars sets them back in terms of cavalry, meaning that infantry are often still relied upon even in later stages of the game.
 * Imperial Age Unique Technology: Warwolf (Trebuchets do blast damage)
 * Can now create Cannon Galleons
 * Longbowman creation time reduced to 17 seconds
 * Receive Heavy Scorpions
 * Yeomen moved to Castle age
 * -|Description=

Byzantines
Overview=
 * Specialty: Defense
 * Unique Unit: Cataphract (Anti-infantry cavalry)
 * Unique Technology: Logistica (Cataphracts cause trample damage)
 * Wonder: Hagia Sophia
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Monks +50% heal speed.
 * Buildings have +10% HP in Dark Age, +10% additional HP with each subsequent age.
 * Counter units (Camels, Skirmishers and Spearmen) cost 25% less.
 * Fire Ships attack 20% faster.
 * Imperial Age research costs 33%.
 * Free Town Watch.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Byzantines were an Eastern European civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as a defensive civilization, situated in Western Asia along the eastern seaboard of the Mediterranean and were an extension of the Eastern Roman Empire. Although the Byzantines considered to themselves as being more Greek than Roman, they retain many characteristics of the classical Roman Empire, such as their unique unit: the Cataphract, a type of heavy cavalry that happened to be present in Age of Empires I. The Cataphract is one of the few true counter units to infantry, however, it is slightly weaker than Knights. Their unique technology is Logistica, referring to the Byzantines' strong military tactics which grants their Cataphracts trample damage to attack multiple enemies at once. The Byzantines had a head start over their European neighbors and arguably reached their zenith while the rest of Europe were in the Dark Age. As a result, they pay less to advance to the Imperial Age. The Byzantines were best known for having deflected many invasions implemented by barbarians, Slavs and Arabs. Their famed doubled walls that surround their capitol of Constantinople almost stood for over a millennium until overran by Ottoman Turks. To reflect this achievement, the Byzantines attain a theme of a defensive civilization and have tougher buildings as the age progresses. Due to carrying on many of the traditions of Rome such as their naval prowess and being the inventors of Greek fire, an ancient napalm rumored to be able to ignite even on water, their Fire Ships attack faster. As a defensive civilization, they also get cheaper counter units and Town Watch upgrades for free. Being the bastion of Greek Orthodoxy, their Monks heal faster to keep with their defensive theme.
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Greek Fire (Fire Ships +1 Range)
 * -|Description=

Celts
Overview=
 * Specialty: Infantry
 * Unique Unit: Woad Raider (Fast infantry with bonus Vs buildings)
 * Unique Technology: Furor Celtica (Siege Workshop Units +50% HP)
 * Wonder: Rock of Cashel
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Siege Workshops work 20% faster.
 * Infantry move 15% faster.
 * Lumberjacks work 15% faster.
 * Siege weapons fire 20% faster.
 * Herdables within Celtic units' line of sights cannot be stolen.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Celts were a Central European civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as an infantry civilization, who dominated much of Europe, such as Poland, Germany, Spain, France, and the British Isles. The Celts in Age of Empires II are the Celts of Scotland, Ireland and Wales in Western Europe. Their unique unit is the Woad Raider, a type of infantry who covers himself in paint made from the woad plant to make himself look more fearsome. Woad Raiders run very fast, allowing them to overcome the normal infantry weaknesses versus archers and siege weapons. Their unique technology is Furor Celtica, which refers to the Celtic warrior tradition of channeling their emotions and anger and makes their siege weapons harder to kill. Being masters of guerilla warfare, Celtic infantry run faster. Because of their historical wood and metalworking, their Siege Workshops build faster, their Lumberjacks work faster, and their Siege Weapons fire faster. Like their neighbors the Britons, the Celts were historically skilled shepherds, and it is much more difficult for enemies to steal their sheep.
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Stronghold (Castles & Towers fire 20% faster)
 * -|Description=

Chinese
Overview=
 * Specialty: Archer
 * Unique Unit: Chu Ko Nu (Fast-firing crossbowman)
 * Unique Technology: Rocketry (+2 Chu Ko Nu pierce attack, +4 scorpions)
 * Wonder: Temple of Heaven
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Farms provide
 * Start game with 3 extra villagers but - and -.
 * Technologies cost -10% in Feudal Age and an additional -5% per subsequent age
 * Town Centers support 10 population instead of 5
 * Demolition Ships have +50% HP

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Chinese were an East Asian civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as an archer civilization, based on the Tang and Song dynasties of medieval China. The Chinese were best known for their unprecedented technological innovations and highly populated cities that can accommodate millions of people by the 1200s, with the largest being Hangzhou. To reflect this achievement and for being one of the civilizations that suffered the least during the Dark Ages, they start with extra villagers and their Town Centers support a higher population. Although they have fewer resources to compensate, allied farms produce extra food. The unique unit of the Chinese is the Chu Ko Nu, a foot archer wielding the eponymous semi-automatic crossbow invented by the Chinese that would load a new bolt simultaneously as soon as the last one was fired. Chu Ko Nu fire multiple arrows at once and, if employed en masse, they can wreak havoc on infantry and even cavalry. Their unique technology, Rocketry, reflects their discovery of gunpowder. It seems that the Chinese in Age of Empires II have a more crude understanding of gunpowder, as Rocketry benefits their Scorpions and their Chu Ko Nu by giving them higher damage rather than benefit any of their gunpowder units which are unavailable to them. To reflect the non-cannon uses of gunpowder, their Demolition Ships take more damage to destroy and thus they can reach their targets easier. Finally, the Chinese research all technologies more cheaply than any other civilization due to being the one of the most advanced civilizations on Earth during the timeframe of Age of Empires II.
 * Town Center LOS +5 (moved from Teutons)
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Great Wall (Walls and towers +30% HP)
 * -|Description=

Franks
Overview=
 * Specialty: Cavalry
 * Unique Unit: Throwing Axeman (Short ranged infantry)
 * Unique Technology: Bearded Axe (+1 Throwing Axeman range)
 * Wonder: Cathedral of Chartres
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Knights have +2 line of sight
 * Castles are 25% cheaper
 * Knights have +20% HP
 * Farm upgrades are free (Mill is required to receive bonus)

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Franks were a Western European civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as a cavalry civilization, which in the middle ages mixed with the native Gauls. They have an infantry unit for their unique unit: the Throwing Axeman throws his axe at enemies at a short range, doing contact damage rather than pierce like Archers. Throwing axes were more popular than bows in the densely forested parts of northern Europe from whence the Franks came from, and they even take their name from their throwing axe, the Francisca. Their unique technology is the Bearded Axe to reflect this, giving their Throwing Axemen more range. The Franks could be seen as the archetypal Medieval civilization. The Frankish King Charlemagne started the tradition of using armored cavalry who became known as Knights, and Frankish Knights fight valiantly with more HP and longer line of sight. Castles dot France, and the Franks have cheaper Castles to better emulate this. Finally, no Castle with a Knight as its lord is complete without peasant labor, and Frankish farms are upgraded for free.
 * Foragers work +25% faster
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Chivalry (Stables work 40% faster)
 * -|Description=

Goths
Overview= The Goths were an Eastern European civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as an infantry civilization, known for bringing Rome to its knees and traveling all over Europe, bringing devastation with them. The leaders of the Goths and their Age of Empires II equivalents were the Huskarls, the Gothic unique unit. As the Goths were known for their raiding prowess, the medium infantry Huskarls have high pierce armor and shrug off damage from fortifications. This also makes them very powerful against archers, and they also move quick enough to chase them down. The Goths were known as flexible nomads with mostly nonexistent formal government, so their unique technology Anarchy allows their leaders, the Huskarls, to be trained at the Barracks like normal infantry as early as the Castle Age. Perfusion allows them to train infantry extremely fast. As the Goths were known for being able to mass soldiers very quickly, the most spammable units already available to all civilizations become even moreso thanks to their infantry costing less and their Barracks producing faster. As raiders, they get extra attack versus buildings. Being nomads gave them other distinct advantages, and their villagers can hunt bigger game effectively and carry more meat. Finally, the Goths get a higher population limit than other civilizations to reflect their ability to field armies quickly.
 * Specialty: Infantry
 * Unique Unit: Huskarl (Anti-archer infantry)
 * Unique Technologies: Anarchy (Create Huskarls at Barracks), Perfusion (Barracks units created 50% faster)
 * Wonder: Mausoleum of Theoderic I
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Barracks operate 20% faster
 * Infantry cost 33% less (starting in Feudal Age) (as of 1.0b, the help file has not been changed, but it could be found in the patch changelog)
 * Infantry have +1 attack against buildings
 * Villagers have +5 attack versus wild boar
 * Hunters carry
 * +10 to population limit in Imperial Age
 * -|Description=

Japanese
Overview=
 * Specialty: Infantry
 * Unique Unit: Samurai (Anti-unique unit infantry)
 * Unique Technology: Kataparuto (Trebuchets fire, pack/unpack faster)
 * Wonder: Tōdai-ji
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Galleys have +50% line of sight.
 * Fishing Ships have 2x HP and +2 armor.
 * Fishing Ships work +5% faster in Dark Age, and an additional +5% per each subsequent age
 * Lumber Camps, Mining Camps, and Mills are 50% cheaper.
 * Infantry attack 25% faster (starting in Feudal Age).

The Forgotten expansion changes
Able to research Bloodlines Bloodlines Able to research Gold Shaft Mining Gold Shaft Mining The Japanese are an Eastern Asian infantry civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings on the island of Japan. Being an island civlization, the Japanese were renowned fishermen, reflected in the fact that their fishing boats are faster and tougher. Their unique unit is the Samurai, a type of medium-heavy fast-moving infantry strong against other unique units. The Samurai was the elite class in Japanese society, and required dozens of years of training. The Samurai were armed with a Katana, an extra-sharp thin bladed longsword, a Wakizashi, a shorter version of the Katana and sometimes a Tantō. These soldiers served the lord and fought for them based on the strict Bushido honor code. To reflect their high rank and prestige of the Japanese warrior class and their association with the ninja, a covert agent, Japanese infantry attack faster. The Japanese were also known for woodworking and mining. The Japanese relied on their infantry and naval warfare but not as much on their cavalry.
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Yasama (Towers shoot extra arrows)
 * -|Description=

Mongols
Overview=
 * Specialty: Cavalry Archer
 * Unique Unit: Mangudai (Fast-shooting cavalry archer)
 * Unique Technology: Drill (Siege Workshop units move 50% faster)
 * Wonder: Great Tent of Genghis Khan
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Scout Cavalry, Light Cavalry, and Hussars have +2 line of sight.
 * Cavalry Archers fire 20% faster.
 * Light Cavalry and Hussars have +30% HP.
 * Hunters work 50% faster.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Mongols were an Eastern Asian civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as a Cavalry Archer civilization, known for creating the largest contiguous country in human history. The Mongols were slightly similar to the Huns, but had many major differences. The Mongols had excellent cavalry and archers which were the key to their success. Their unique unit is the Mangudai, a type of cavalry archer, once again showing the Mongol's superiority in cavalry. The Mangudai shares stats with other cavalry archers, but have a bonus attack against siege engines. The Mangudai are stronger than Heavy Cavalry Archers in every way, and cost less in terms of gold, but more in terms of wood. The Mongols have a strong cavalry, with faster firing Cavaly Archers, stronger Light Cavalry and Hussars, and farther seeing Scout Cavalry, Light Cavalry, and Hussars.
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Nomads (Destroyed houses don’t lose their population room)
 * -|Description=

Persians
Overview=
 * Specialty: Cavalry
 * Unique Unit: War Elephant (Slow but powerful heavy cavalry)
 * Unique Technology: Mahouts (+30% War Elephant speed)
 * Wonder: Taq Kasra
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Knights have +2 attack versus Archers.
 * Start game with and.
 * Town Center and Docks have 2x HP.
 * Town Centers and Docks operate +10% faster in Feudal Age, and an additional +5% per subsequent age.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Persians were a Middle East Asian civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as a cavalry civilization, based on the Sasanian Empire. They were notable for their rivalry with the Roman Empire and gradual absorption into the Islamic caliphate following the rise of Islam and Arab invasions. Like their predecessor in the original game, the Persians had a strong cavalry and navy. In addition, they have a bonus for Town Centers and Docks. The Persian unique unit is the War Elephant, a type of very-heavy cavalry. The War Elephant can take down several light to medium cavalry and infantry, and even withstand a little siege fire. The War Elephant is strong against buildings, but its shortcoming is archers, heavy siege weapons and spearmen.
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Boiling Oil (Castles do extra damage vs. rams)
 * -|Description=

Saracens
Overview=
 * Specialty: Camel and Navy
 * Unique Unit: Mameluke (Short ranged anti-cavalry cavalry)
 * Unique Technology: Zealotry (+30 camel, Mameluke HP)
 * Wonder: Great Mosque of Samarra
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Foot archers have +1 attack against buildings.
 * Tax for Tributes is reduced to 5%
 * Transport Ships have 2x HP and carry capacity.
 * Galleys attack 20% faster.
 * Cavalry Archers have +3 attack against buildings.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Saracens were a Middle Eastern civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as a camel and naval civilization, from the area of Arabian Peninsula (predominantly Saudi Arabia and Yemen) and Syria 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 ships. Their unique unit is the Mameluke, a type of light camel cavalry with a large attack bonus against cavalry but capable of taking down archers and light infantry as well. 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 other civilizations.
 * Market costs
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Madrasah (Killed monks return 33% of cost)
 * -|Description=

Teutons
Overview=
 * Specialty: Infantry
 * Unique Unit: Teutonic Knight (Slow but powerful infantry)
 * Unique Technology: Crenellations (+3 Castle range; garrisoned infantry fire arrows)
 * Wonder: Maria Laach Abbey
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Units are more resistant to Conversion.
 * Monks have 2x healing range.
 * Towers can garrison 2x units.
 * Free Murder Holes
 * Farms cost 33% less.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Teutons were a Central European civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as an infantry civilization, known for their teamwork and strong infantry. They have many good bonuses such as Monks having longer healing range, towers being able to garrison twice as many units, Murder Holes being free, farms costing less, Town Centers being significantly stronger, and units being more resistant to conversion. Their unique unit is the Teutonic Knight, the strongest infantry unit in the game. The Elite Teutonic Knight can take down almost any unit that gets too close. Their downpoint is their extremely slow movement. They also have strong Paladins, but they are also slow compared to other civilizations as they lack Husbandry.
 * Town Center LOS restored to normal (moved to Chinese)
 * Town Center garrison +10 units, maximum arrows +5
 * Town Center +2 attack removed
 * Monk healing range bonus fixed
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Ironclad (Trebuchets, Scorpions, Mangonels/Onagers, Bombard Cannons and Rams +4 melee armor; since Rams start with -3 melee armor they will now have +1.)
 * -|Description=

Turks
Overview=
 * Specialty: Gunpowder Units
 * Unique Unit: Janissary (Hand cannoneer)
 * Unique Technology: Artillery (+2 range Bombard Towers, Bombard Cannons, Cannon Galleons)
 * Wonder: Selimiye Mosque
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Gunpowder units are created 20% faster.
 * Gunpowder Units have +25% HP.
 * Gunpowder technologies cost 50% less.
 * Free Chemistry
 * Gold miners work 15% faster.
 * Light Cavalry and Hussar upgrades are free.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Turks were a Middle Eastern civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as a gunpowder civilization, originated from Central Asia based on the Ottoman Turks. The Turks were best known for winning many battles in the Crusades as well as successfully besieging Constantinople which ended European foothold of the Silk Road and contact with the Orient. The Turks mine gold faster. They also used gunpowder quite effectively, becoming the first "gunpowder empire," having received it from their control of the Silk Road. To reflect their achievements, they have a free upgrade to use gunpowder units, and stronger yet lower costing gunpowder units. The gunpowder units are also created faster granted by the team bonus. Their unique unit is the Janissary, a type of gunpowder unit. The Janissary is strong against infantry and archers. The Turks also have some free cavalry upgrades and faster gold miners.
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Sipahi (Cavalry Archers +20 HP)
 * -|Description=

Vikings
Overview=
 * Specialty: Infantry and Navy
 * Unique Units: Berserker (Regenerating infantry), Longboat  (Warship with multiple arrow fire)
 * Unique Technology: Berserkergang (Berserks regenerate faster)
 * Wonder: Borgund Stave Church
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Docks are 25% cheaper.
 * Warships cost 25% less.
 * Infantry have +10% HP in Feudal Age, and an additional +5% per subsequent age.
 * Wheelbarrow and Hand Cart upgrades are free.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Vikings were a North European civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings as an infantry and naval civilization, best known for being advent sailors and for establishing colonies in the North Atlantic in Greenland and Canada before the European explorers. They were also known for bringing fear among several European communities since they would raid small villages unexpectedly. As a result, their navy and infantry are among the finest in the game and are one of the few civilizations to have more than one unique unit. The Vikings did not actually wear spiked or horned helmets, but they refrained from trimming their head and facial hair to give the look of a big, scary, and hairy beast. This is reflected by their unique unit, the Berserker, and their unique technology that would benefit them. The Berserker is an extra-strong, regenerating and fast infantry unit strong against other infantry and light cavalry, and to an extent against buildings. The Vikings also excel at naval warfare and tactics, and even mastered the art of various types of sailing. To reflect this achievement, their Dock-based unique unit is the Longboat, a type of swift war boat that shoots volleys of arrows at other boats. The Viking Longboat was a well-constructed slim boat that gracefully shot through the water.
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Docks -15% cheaper rather than -25% ( instead of )
 * Viking ship cost now staggered per age: 10% cheaper in Feudal (-), 15% in Castle (-), 20% in Imperial (-)
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Chieftains (Berserks get +4 attack bonus vs. cavalry)
 * -|Description=

Age of Empires II: The Conquerors
Aztecs Overview=
 * Specialty: Monk and Infantry
 * Unique Unit: Jaguar Warrior (Counter-infantry)
 * Unique Technology: Garland Wars (+4 Infantry attack)
 * Wonder: Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Relics generate
 * Villagers carry +5 resources
 * All Military units are created 15% faster
 * Start with Eagle Warrior, not Scout Cavalry
 * Monks +5 Hit Points for each Monastery Technology researched

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors as an infantry and monk civilization. Their unique unit is the Jaguar Warrior, the highest rank of warrior in the Aztec army, wielding a wooden club studded with obsidian sharp shards. The Jaguar Warrior is thus a heavy infantry unit who is strong against other infantry units. Their castle age unique technology: Atlatl refers to a tool employed by hunters and warriors used for throwing javelins or spears. Their imperial technology: Garland Wars, which gives +4 to infantry attack, references the "flower wars" which the Aztecs organized amongst their allies in order to provide more sacrifices. The Aztecs were also known as a hard working and innovative civilization and their villagers' carry more resources and get the Loom technology free ( in The Conquerors). Being a highly military civilization, the Aztecs also have a general creation bonus across the board for all their units. They were famous for their bloody and ardent faith, with their relics generating extra gold and their Monks receiving extra HP per Monastery technology researched, allowing their Monks to join other soldiers on the battlefield. The Aztecs did not have horses or gunpowder and in the Age of Empires II Aztecs are no different. They completely lack Stables and cannons. They start with an Eagle Warrior in The Conquerors, or an Eagle Scout in The Forgotten and African Kingdoms expansion, that both are a fast light infantry that they share with the Mayans and Incas, instead of a Scout Cavalry.
 * Free Loom removed
 * Start with
 * Starts with an Eagle Scout, not an Eagle Warrior
 * Jaguar Warriors +1 pierce armor
 * Castle age Unique Technology: Atlatl (Skirmishers +1 Attack, +1 Range)
 * -|Description=

Huns
Overview=
 * Specialty: Cavalry
 * Unique Unit: Tarkan (Medium Cavalry with bonus versus buildings)
 * Unique Technology: Atheism (+100 years Wonder/Relic victory time; -50% Spies/Treason cost)
 * Wonder: Arch of Constantine
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Stables work 20% faster
 * Houses are not required to support population, start game with
 * Cavalry Archers cost -25% in Castle Age, and an additional -5% per subsequent age
 * Trebuchets are 30% more accurate.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Huns were a civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors as a cavalry civilization, with no discernible origin besides Central Asia who were most active in Eastern Europe, winning battles against the Romans and displacing many other "barbarian" tribes civilization. As a result, their unique unit is the Tarkan, a medium cavalryman armed with a torch who does strong damage against buildings. The most ferocious and courageous Huns warriors were the Tarkans, and they exemplify the Huns as horse riders who raid and pillage buildings. The Huns were known for their irreverence towards artifacts and works of art as well as architectural wonders were no exception. The destruction of Rome brought by the Goths, Vandals, Huns and other barbarian tribes would later create the term vandalism to describe any senseless destruction, particularly the barbarian defacing of artwork. As such, their unique technology, Atheism, is a representation of that concept, forcing Wonder and Relic victories to take longer and reducing the cost of the Spies/Treason technology. Being nomads, the Huns have no need for houses and are only restricted in building units by their resources. The Huns were among the many horse civilizations of Central Asia, and their primacy in battle was because of their horses so their Stables produce units faster. To emulate the fact that their principal fighting force were horse mounted archers, Huns get considerably cheaper Cavalry Archers. In spite of being nomads, the Huns were skilled in siege warfare, having laid siege to several cities in France, and thus have more accurate Trebuchets.
 * Hunnic Cavalry Archers cost -15% in the Castle Age, and an additional -10% in the Imperial Age
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Marauders (Create Tarkans at Stables)
 * -|Description=

Koreans
Overview=
 * Specialty: Tower and Navy
 * Unique Units: War Wagon (Anti-archer cavalry archer), Turtle Ship (Armored war ship)
 * Unique Technology: Shinkichon (+1 range Mangonels, Onagers)
 * Wonder: Hwangnyong Temple
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Mangonels, Onagers, and Siege Onagers have +1 range.
 * Villagers have +3 line of sight.
 * Stone miners work 20% faster.
 * Guard Tower and Keep upgrades are free (Chemistry still required for Bombard Tower).
 * Towers (except bombard towers) have +1 range in Castle Age, +2 in Imperial Age.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Koreans are an Eastern Asian tower and naval civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors, based on Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The Koreans were not as powerful compared to the other Far Eastern kingdoms but their tacticians made important contributions in innovating cutting edge weaponry when conditions were dire during the Japanese invasions. Being able to successfully defend itself despite the numerical disadvantages, they are a defensive civilization similar to the Byzantines, but focuses more toward ranged units. As a result of their innovation and knowledge of gunpowder imported from the Chinese, the Koreans are one of the few civilizations that have two unique units. One of their most recognized innovation was the Hwacha which fires a series of small bolt like rockets. This is represented by a mangonel with higher range granted by the team bonus and the unique technology. The Castle-based unique unit is the War Wagon, a horse-drawn carriage. The War Wagon fires bolts similar to those fired by the Galleon. While stronger and better armored than the cavalry archers, they are slower and more expensive. The Dock-based unique unit is the Turtle Ship, an armored and spiked ship used to ram into other ships. The Turtle Ship is slower than many other ships, but makes up for speed in raw power and durability. A single Turtle Ship can take down a small fleet of ships, while a fleet of them can annihilate a large part of an opponent's navy. The Koreans were also fine stone workers, especially in crafting sculptures and pottery whose highly prized ceramic coated celadon glaze was the finest in the world. To reflect their stone artisanship and defensive capabilities, their villagers mine stone faster.
 * Fortifications (walls, towers, castles) built 25% faster
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Mangonels & Onagers minimum range reduced
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Panokseon (Turtle Ships move 15% faster)
 * -|Description=

Mayans
Overview=
 * Specialty: Archer
 * Unique Unit: Plumed Archer (Fast moving foot archer)
 * Unique Technology: El Dorado (Eagle Warriors +40 HP)
 * Wonder: Tikal Temple I
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Walls are 50% cheaper
 * Start with Eagle Warrior, not Scout Cavalry.
 * Start game with 1 extra villager,
 * Natural resources last 20% longer.
 * Archers cost -10% in Feudal Age, and an additional -10% per subsequent age

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Maya were a Central American civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors as an archer civilization, best known for their mysterious disappearance around 900 and their ability to build a great civilization in a tropical rainforest climate. Mayans took advantage of the area’s many natural resources, including limestone for construction, the volcanic rock obsidian for tools and weapons, jade and quetzal feathers used in the elaborate costumes of Maya nobility as well as marine shells, which were used as trumpets. To reflect this achievement, their resources last longer and their unique technologies El Dorado and Obsidian Arrows benefit their unique units. The main force of the Mayan army was archers, as they used archers extensively. As a result, their unique unit is the Plumed Archer, an archer with a slightly longer range and more armor. They have a slight advantage in the early game due to the fact that they start with one extra villager for a slight deficit in food. They also have an advantage in the later game because their walls cost half as much as normal and archers cost less depending on age.
 * Starts with an Eagle Scout
 * Castle Age Unique Technology:Obsidian Arrows (Archer-line has +3 attack versus buildings)
 * -|Description=

Spanish
Overview=
 * Specialty: Monk and Gunpowder Units
 * Unique Units: Conquistador (Mounted hand cannoneer), Missionary (Mounted monk)
 * Unique Technology: Supremacy (Villager combat attributes increased)
 * Wonder: Torre del Oro
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Trade units generate.
 * Villagers construct buildings 30% faster.
 * Blacksmith upgrades do not cost.
 * Cannon Galleons benefit from Ballistics (improved fire rate and accuracy).
 * Hand Cannoneers and Bombard Cannons fire 15% faster.

The Forgotten expansion changes
The Spanish were a Western European civilization featured in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors as a gunpowder and monk civilization, best known for exploring much of the world across the Atlantic and being the first Europeans to establish colonies along the Caribbean and the Americas. They were also known for defeating powerful Amerindian empires of the New World and introducing Christianity to the region as a result of their powerful navy and superior weaponry. To reflect this achievement, Spanish cannon galleons fire more accurately and requires no gold at the Blacksmith. In addition, they can train more than one unique unit, namely the Conquistador and the Missionary which are all mounted units. The Missionary is the only unique monk in the entire game and is produced at the Monastery. The Missionary cannot pick up relics however. To reflect their widespread religious activity in the Americas, Inquisition allows their Monks and Missionaries to convert faster. As a result of their overseas conquest and their successful search for riches, the Spanish team bonus increases productivity of all allied trade units.
 * Castle Age Unique Technology: Inquisition (Monks conversion rate improved)
 * -|Description=

Incas
Overview= The Incas were Andean civilization featured in Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten as an infantry civilization, situated in South America along the Andes Mountain range. The Incans feature a robust economy and specialize in Infantry which makes them similar to both the Aztecs and the Mayans. The Incas were best known for establishing the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The administrative, political and military center of the empire was located in Cuzco in modern-day Peru whose framework constituted of officials or "Kamayuks" who kept important records by utilizing a quipu messenger system rather than a formal writing system. These officials also controlled the Incan army which were a collection of the numerous ethnicities they conquered. Much of the army constituted of peasants and farmers which can be conscripted into battle at any time. As a result, the Incans referred to their empire as Tawantinsuyu which can be translated as "The Four Regions" or "The Four United Provinces." To reflect this achievement, The Incas can train more than one unique unit, namely, the Kamayuk and the Slinger whose speed can be increased by the unique technology Couriers. The Incas were also known for their architecture. They did not use mortar, yet their buildings are resilient to earthquakes. To reflect their strength in stone working, Incan buildings consume fewer stone and their houses support more population.
 * Specialty: Infantry
 * Unique Units: Kamayuk (anti-cavalry infantry ), Slinger (anti-infantry archer ).
 * Unique Technologies: Andean Sling (Slingers and Skirmishers with no minimum range), Couriers (Eagles, Kamayuk and Slingers +10% speed).
 * Wonder: Temple of the Sun at Macchu Picchu
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Farms are built 50% faster.
 * Start with a free Llama.
 * Villagers benefit from Blacksmith upgrades.
 * Buildings cost.
 * Houses support 10 population.
 * -|Description=

Indians
Overview= The Indians are based on Medieval India and are a Camel and gunpowder civilization featured in Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten. India is one of the most ancient civilizations and has been there for thousands of years, Medieval age India was influenced by the introduction of the Islam in their region. Indian armies historically has been depended on the elephants so to depict this they have the Elephant Archer as a unique unit, also the northern part of Medieval age India introduce the camel as a vital part of their military force so they also have a unique upgrade to the Heavy Camel: the Imperial Camel while also their team bonus gives camels attack bonus agains buildings and also indian camels have more armor. India at middle ages was a highly advanced civilization that learned from the Chinese and the Saracens the secrets of the gunpowder so to depict this their Hand Cannoneers are stronger than most because of their second unique technology: Shatagni which increases Hand Cannoneer range by one. Indian kingdoms were very wealthy and Sultans technology depict this as this increases all their gold income by 10%, including relics and Trade Carts. The Indians are one of the economic civilizations in the game because their Villagers are cheaper than other civilizations, they fish much faster than other villagers and they also have all the economic upgrades except Crop Rotation and Guilds.
 * Specialty: Camel and Gunpowder units
 * Unique Units: Elephant Archer (Archer riding an elephant, good HP and pierce armour), Imperial Camel (camel upgrade)
 * Unique Technologies: Shatagni (Hand Cannoneers get +1 range), Sultans (All gold production +10% faster)
 * Wonder: Gol Gumbaz
 * Team Bonus: TEAMcamels +5 attack vs buildings.
 * Villagers cost -5% in the Dark Age, and an additional -5% per each subsequent age
 * Fishermen work 15% faster and carry
 * Camels +1 armor/+1 pierce armor
 * -|Description=

Italians
Overview= The Italians are an archer and naval civilization featured in Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten. Situated in southern Europe in modern day Italy, the Italians were a prime center for European trade due to their strategic location of key port cities. As a result, Italian cities became one of the wealthiest in the world during that time. To reflect their economic productivity, the Italians feature cheaper trade units as well as cheaper upgrades from the dock. The Italians were best known for being a center of culture and knowledge at the city of Florence during the Renaissance which revolutionized the way Europeans think. This made them ahead of other European kingdoms at that time as a result of trading with the more advanced Islamic and Far Eastern kingdoms. Therefore, the Italians can advance through the ages cheaper than other civilizations.
 * Specialty: Navy and Archer
 * Unique Unit: Genoese Crossbowman (Archer with bonus against cavalry), Condottiero(Infantry with bonus against gunpowder units)
 * Unique Tech: Pavise (Genoese Crossbowmen +1/+1 armor), Silk Road (Trade units 50% cheaper).
 * Wonder: Cathedral of St.Lawrence
 * Team Bonus: Condottieri are available in allies' barracks in the Imperial Age
 * Advancing to next age costs -10%
 * All dock techs cost -50%
 * Fishing ship LOS +2
 * Gunpowder units cost -15%
 * -|Description=

Magyars
Overview= The Magyars are a Central European Cavalry civilization featured in the Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten. Magyars originated on Asia and then they migrated to modern day Hungary indeed they are based on medieval Hungary. Their unique unit is the Magyar Huszar, a cheap cavalry unit with a bonus against siege weapons. To depict their mideastern origin they have the Recurve Bow as a unique technology that increases their Cavalry Archers' range by one. Their second unique technology is Mercenaries and makes the Magyar Huszar even cheaper by removing their gold cost. Their Villagers kill wolves with one strike. They were excellent blacksmiths and to depict this they have Forging, Iron Casting and Blast Furnace for free. The Scout Cavalry, Light Cavalry, Hussar cost -10%. For the team Foot archers get +2 Line of Sight. Magyars are an offensive civilization with great rushing capability because they utilize lots of cheap units in their armies and their economy is also good as they have all the economic upgrades except for the Stone Shaft Mining and Guilds technologies.
 * Specialty: Cavalry
 * Unique Unit: Magyar Huszar (Cheap, anti-siege cavalry)
 * Unique Technologies: Recurve Bow (Cavalry Archer + 1 range), Mercenaries (Magyar Huszars cost )
 * Wonder: Hunyad Castle
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Foot archers +2 LOS
 * Villagers kill wolves with one strike
 * Forging, Iron Casting, Blast Furnace free (requires Blacksmith)
 * Scout Cavalry, Light Cavalry, Hussar cost -10%
 * -|Description=

Slavs
Overview= The Slavs are an Eastern Europe infantry and siege civilization featured in the Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten expansion. They represent the eastern european peoples that lately become the founders of Russia, Ukraine and many other eastern european countries that use a slavic derived language. In middle ages many Slavic kingdoms were dominated by aristocrats known as Boyars so they have the Boyar as a unique unit which is a heavily armored cavalry. Slavs adopted the Eastern Orthodox branch of Christianity as their religion and in order to depict this they have Orthodoxy as a unique technology that gives armor to their Monks. Slavic armies based its force on infantry and to depict this they have powerful infantry units as they have all infantry upgrades and their unique Technology Druzhina, gives infantry Area of Effect damage, making them powerful in groups and against clusters of units also they receive the Tracking technology for free. Slavic economy on the middle ages depended mostly on agriculture so in the game the Slavs farmers work 15% faster. Slavs were highly influenced by the Byzantine empire and learned from them many techniques and technologies and to depict this they have cheaper siege weapons. As a team bonus military buildings provide +5 population should save wood.
 * Specialty: Infantry and Siege
 * Unique Unit: Boyar (Heavily armored cavalry)
 * Unique Technologies: Orthodoxy (Monks extra armor), Druzhina (Infantry damage adjacent units)
 * Wonder: Kizhi Pogost
 * Team Bonus: TEAM military buildings provide +5 population
 * Farmers work 15% faster
 * Tracking free
 * Siege units 15% cheaper
 * -|Description=

Berbers
Overview= The Berbers are a North African cavalry and naval civilization featured in Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms. They have two unique units: the Camel Archer and the Genitour. They focus on powerful mounted cavalry units since historically they were semi-nomadic tribes and experts in camels and horses. 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: Camel Archer and Genitour, both of which are powerful counter units. Their unique technologies are Kasbah and Maghrabi Camels. Because of moving constantly in the desert, their soldiers were used to fight effectively in hostile conditions or as nomads. 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.
 * Specialty: Navy and cavalry
 * Unique Units: Camel Archer (“anti-cavalry archer” cavalry archer), Genitour (Mounted skirmisher)
 * Unique Technologies: Kasbah (Team castles work +25% faster), Maghrabi Camels (Camel troops regenerate)
 * Wonder: Hassan Tower
 * Team Bonus: Genitours are available at the Archery Range
 * Villagers move +10% faster
 * Stable units cost -20% (starting from Castle Age)
 * Ships move +10% faster
 * -|Description=

Ethiopians
Overview= The Ethiopians are an African archer civilization featured in Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms. They have one unique unit: the Shotel Warrior and two unique technologies: the Royal Heirs and the Torsion Engines. The Ethiopians were known to be mercenaries very fierce in battle, but were underequipped, so to highlight the Ethiopian army, the Shotel Warrior can be created quickly in the Castle, but has very low defenses with high attack. Archers formed the backbone of the Ethiopian's army and to highlight this the Ethiopian archers fire +15% faster. Due to the commerce of valuable resources the Ethiopians gain 100 gold and 100 food for free whenever they advance an age. Mainly because spears and polearms were a staple of most Ethiopian armies, they get Pikeman and Halberdier free upgrades. To highlight the excellent Ethiopian architecture the Ethiopian team bonus grants extra Line of sight to Towers and Outposts. The Ethiopians are one of the few civilizations to have preserved some of the lost technology developed by the ancient Greeks and to highlight this the Ethiopians have access to a full Siege Workshop and have a unique technology: Torsion Engines that increases the blast radius for siege weapons.
 * Specialty: Archer
 * Unique Unit: Shotel Warrior (infantry)
 * Unique Technologies: Royal Heirs (Shotel Warriors are created nearly instantly), Torsion Engines (Siege Workshop units blast radius increased)
 * Wonder: Bete Medhane Alem Bedrock Church
 * Team Bonus: TEAM Towers and Outposts +3 LOS
 * Archers fire +15% faster
 * Receive, when advancing to the next Age
 * Pikeman and Halberdier upgrades free
 * -|Description=

Malians
Overview= The Malians are an African infantry civilization featured in the expansion pack Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms. Historically, the Malians were known for their very progressive society that puts a lot of emphasis on education and to highlight this achievement, their team bonus increases the research speed for University technologies. West African cultures held women in high esteem, and Malian women participated in every part of society, including the military. This is highlighted with their unique unit, the Gbeto, where it is noted to be the only unique unit that is a female soldier. The Mali and Songhai empires were known to be some of the wealthiest kingdoms in Africa; this was primarily due to the enormous natural wealth at their disposal from gold and salt mines, as well as their effective control of the trans-Saharan trade routes that carried valuable resources to and from the region. To highlight this, the Malians gain Gold Mining upgrades for free and have acess to every Market upgrade. West Africa and the Sahel have sparse vegitation, without many trees. These limited resources meant that the Malians primarily used clay and mud bricks in their architecture, and didnt have as much of a reliance on lumber for their buildings. This is represented in-game with a -15% wood cost for all Malians buildings.
 * Specialty: Infantry
 * Unique Unit: Gbeto (ranged infantry)
 * Unique Technologies: Tigui (town centers fire arrows), Farimba (stable units +5 attack)
 * Wonder: Great Mosque of Djenné
 * Team Bonus: TEAM University researches +80% faster
 * Buildings cost
 * Infantry +1 pierce armor per Age (starting from Feudal Age)
 * Gold Mining upgrades free
 * Archers cost -10% in Feudal Age, and an additional -10% per each subsequent age
 * -|Description=

Portuguese
Overview= The Portuguese are a European naval and gunpowder civilization featured in Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms. They are a booming naval civilization, which focus on solid late-game economy and base their army strenght in versatile gunpowder units and Navy. The Portuguese established tactical colonial bases in the New World and particularly on the African coasts thanks to their excellent navigation skills and organization. This is reflected in the game by giving the Portuguese two unique units: the Organ Gun and the Caravel (one of the most effective Navy - at least the most durable -, which can count on a naval unique unit, the Caravel, which is essentially a more agile Galleon able to hit more massed units (in a similar way as the Scorpion), more durable ships (both in hit points and armor), more accurate gunpowder units, and giving them free Cartography from the Dark Age. The Portuguese resolved the problem of being a small nation by basing their economy on foreign-opened exchange and production of their colonies. This meant that most of their income came from abroad, and had a critical impact on the employment in primary sectors and focus on military and exploring purposes. As a result, from the Imperial Age, they are the only faction in the game able to collect resources without employing villagers thanks to the only unique building, the Feitoria. The consequences of all this income is reflected in the reduced gold cost of all military units.
 * Specialty: Navy and Gunpowder Units
 * Unique Units: Organ Gun (siege unit), Caravel (Warship)
 * Unique Technologies: Carrack (ships +1/+1 armor), Arquebus (gunpowder units affected by Ballistics)
 * Wonder: Belém Tower
 * Team Bonus: TEAM free Cartography from the Dark Age
 * All units cost
 * Ships +10% HP
 * Can build Feitoria in Imperial Age
 * -|Description=