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This article is about the building in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dynasties of India. For the building in Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties, see Caravanserai (Age of Empires III). |
| “ | Economic building. Heals and increases speed of Trade Carts in a 10 tile radius.[sic] | ” |
| —Age of Empires II description | ||
The Caravanserai is an economic building in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Dynasties of India that is available to the Hindustanis and Persians* in the Imperial Age.
Ability[]
The Caravanserai has an aura that heals at 1 hit point per second and increases the speed of allied Trade Carts by 20% in a 20-tile square from the building's center (8 tiles from all edges of the building). The affected area in its range is a square, same as a Folwark, rather than curved at the corners, which is the case for attack of units and buildings (visible only for buildings).
Despite also being trade units, Trade Cogs do not benefit from Caravanserais. However, Donkeys are affected, since they are also classified as Trade Carts.
Tactics and placement[]
The Caravanserai is a building that increases the performance and defense of the Trade Cart. Unlike other unique buildings, its effect not only benefits the player that built it, but also their allies. As Caravanserais benefit all allied Trade Carts, it makes them an unofficial team bonus. Considering its function, this is a building that is only useful in team games.
The Caravanserai improves the speed of a Trade Cart by 20%, from 1.5 to 1.8 tiles per second after Caravan, making them faster than every land unit, slightly faster than Imperial Age Cuman Scout Cavalry (1.794), and heals Trade Cart at a rate of 1 hit point per second. This makes raiding significantly more difficult and less effective, as no land unit will be able to catch the Trade Cart to damage them, and any damage they do manage to do will quickly be healed. However, archers do not need to catch Trade Carts to damage them, and will be almost as effective as they always are.
In order to maximize its benefits, the player must place many of them along the trade route, preferably in spots where Trade Carts converge and in spots that do not represent a space problem in order to reduce the clutter of the trade route. If possible, each Caravanserai should be placed 16 tiles (distance between edges) away from each other, since each Caravanserai has a 8 tile radius of effect from their edges.
In a way, the Caravanserai can be considered a defensive building and not just an economic one, since the speed and healing this building provides for Trade Carts makes that unit harder to kill and raid. Indeed, melee units will find it impossible to chase Trade Carts near Caravanserais, and the most effective way to kill them will be with groups of ranged units (such as Cavalry Archers) that should be microed in order to negate the healing benefit by killing them in one shot.
Further statistics[]
| Technologies | |
|---|---|
 Hit points
|
 Masonry (+10%) Architecture (+10%, Persians only)
|
| Armor | Masonry (+1/+1, +3 building armor) Architecture (+1/+1, +3 building armor, Persians only)
|
| Conversion resistance |  Devotion (+1 min, +1 max) Faith (+4 min, +4 max)
|
| Line of Sight |  Town Watch (+4) Town Patrol (+4)
|
| Team bonuses | |
|---|---|
| Conversion resistance |  Teutons (+3 min, +1 max cycles)
|
| Other |  Georgians (-25% repair cost)
|
Changelog[]
The Mountain Royals[]
- Persians: With update 95810, gain access to Caravanserai.
- With update 99311, Devotion was introduced.
History[]
A caravanserai (or caravansary), from Persian meaning "Caravan Palace", was a roadside inn where travelers (caravanners) could rest and recover from the day's journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of commerce, information and people across the network of trade routes covering Asia, North Africa and Southeast Europe, most notably the Silk Road.
Caravanserais were a common feature not only along the Silk Road, but also along the Achaemenid Empire's Royal Road. Other significant urban caravanserais were built along the Grand Trunk Road in the Indian subcontinent, especially in the region of Mughal Delhi and Bengal Subah.
Trivia[]
- It is the only unit/building whose range is more than its Line of Sight (before Town Watch).
- It uses the Market building foundation while being built.
- Neither civilization with Caravanserai has Heresy or Treadmill Crane.
- There is a camel in the Caravanserai. When the building is destroyed, the camel retracts as the building collapses.
Gallery[]
