Macedonian Dynasty

This article is about the civilization in Age of Empires IV: Dynasties of the East. For the civilization in Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome, see Macedonians (Age of Empires). For the civilization in Chronicles: Alexander the Great, see Macedonians (Chronicles).

Civilization

Technology tree

Civilization

Technology tree

Macedonian Dynasty
Civilization
Civilization information
Introduced in	Age of Empires IV: Dynasties of the East
Based on	Byzantines
Continent	Europe
In-game theme
Difficulty	1/3
Timeframe	867 - 1056 CE
Features/Characteristics
Focus	Varangians, Silver, Technology
Unique units	Cataphract Varangian Guard

“	The Macedonian Dynasty are available with the Dynasties of the East expansion. Starting with Basil I in 867, warriors known as Varangians filled the ranks of Byzantine armies as mercenaries. Concerned of revolts from within, his son[sic], Basil II recognized the unwavering loyalty of Varangians and formed the first imperial guard around 988, raising the dynasty to its greatest heights before his death in 1025. The Macedonian Dynasty reinforces their front lines with an expanded roster of fearsome Varangian warriors from the north. Raise victorious runestones, replace fallen warriors at the warcamp, and improve weapons and armor by spending silver at the arsenal. Command large armies of tenacious warriors to protect the emperor and carve out your own history.	”
—

The Macedonian Dynasty is a playable variant civilization introduced in Age of Empires IV: Dynasties of the East. They are based on the dynasty of the Macedonian line of emperors, such as Basil the Bulgar Slayer, that ruled the Eastern Roman Empire for a time.

Civilization overview

“	Villagers discover abundant Silver deposits as they mine Gold and Stone; this fifth resource can be used for researching unique technologies at the new Varangian Arsenal. With arms and armor paid with Silver, the mighty Varangian warriors step forth onto the battlefield from their fortified strongholds. As losses from combat begin to pile up, construct the Varangian Warcamp and receive free reinforcements of Varangians from distant lands. Command three new Varangian units and leverage their unique berserk abilities, carve legendary runestones to celebrate past victories in battle — inspiring them to fight harder while protecting the empire.	”
—

Civilization bonuses

• Galena Gathering: Villagers discover abundant galena deposits among Gold Veins and Stone Outcroppings and extract Silver as a unique resource when mining from them. Silver gathered is equal to 40% of Gold or Stone mined.
• Influence - Silver Minting: Varangian Arsenals generate influence for Mining Camps and Town Centers to begin processing Silver over time. The amount of Silver processed is based on the total amount of Silver deposited by Villagers.
• Varangian Smithing: Research unique military technologies at the Varangian Arsenal for Silver. Replaces the Blacksmith and University. Macedonian Dynasty can exceed three tiers of military upgrades per category.
• Strongholds: Fortify the empire with Varangian Strongholds that can produce all Varangian units and defend with arrows.
• Warcamp: Choose reinforcements at the Varangian Warcamp. Once enough warriors fall in battle, free Varangian warriors arrive at the warcamp to bolster missing ranks. If adjacent to water, boats can be selected as reinforcements.
• Varangian Runestones: Carve Runestones to honor past victories in combat. After enough enemies have fallen to Varangians, a Runestone may be created that inspires nearby Varangians with combat bonuses in an area.
• Greek Fire: Cheirosiphons along with upgraded Dromons, Springalds, and Trebuchets fling Greek Fire with their attacks, engulfing the area in flames for damage over time.
• Mangonel Emplacements: Outposts and Keeps can be upgraded with the unique Mangonel Emplacement instead of Springald Emplacement, which excel against tightly packed enemies. Stone Wall Towers come equipped with this emplacement by default instead of Springalds.
• Transport Ships temporarily increase the move speed of units when unloading

Starting resources

200 food, 200 wood, 100 gold, 100 silver

Landmarks

Feudal Age

• Grand Winery - Acts as a Mill and Monastery. Villagers gather Food 30% faster when affected by its aura. Relics garrisoned generate Silver instead of Gold.
• Imperial Hippodrome - Acts as a Stable. Automatically spawns Champion units, which provide auras that increase damage of torches, damage of cavalry, and move speed of infantry respectively.

Castle Age

• Cistern of the First Hill - Charges an ability used for either boosting the work rate of military and research buildings, or granting a passive resource trickle to resource collection buildings.
• Golden Horn Tower - Defensive landmark equipped with Crossbow emplacements and large line of sight which reveals units in stealth or disguise. Trains batches of Crossbowmen for free over time.

Imperial Age

• Foreign Engineering Company - Spend Silver to hire foreign mercenary siege engines.
• Palatine School - Spend Silver to train Cataphracts in batches.

Unique units

• Atgeirmaðr: Spearman replacement. Light melee infantry with a passive ability that increases their attack speed when Varangian units are nearby.
• Bogmaðr: Archer replacement. Light ranged infantry with an ability to bypass armor at the cost of move speed.
• Riddari: Knight replacement. Heavy cavalry with an ability to throw axes from range for a period of time.
• Imperial Hippodrome upgraded units
  • Hippodrome Horseman
  • Hippodrome Riddari
  • Hippodrome Scout

Shared with the Byzantines

• Cataphract
• Cheirosiphon: A ram equipped with a short ranged Greek Fire attack.
• Dromon: Springald Ship replacement. Equipped with Greek Fire.
• Varangian Guard: Man-at-Arms replacement. Use the Berserking ability to increase damage at the cost of armor. Can construct Transport Ships and increase armor of transports when garrisoned. The Macedonian Dynasty has access to the "Early" rank of the unit as well

Unique buildings

• Runestones: Commemorate voyages to the east and past victories in battle by carving Runestones with any Varangian unit when enough enemies have suffered their blades.
• Varangian Arsenal: Construct the Varangian Arsenal next to Mining Camps to begin generating passive Silver. Arsenal technologies combine both Blacksmith and University upgrades into one and are capable of exceeding the military power of other civilizations in each Age.
• Varangian Stronghold: Varangian Strongholds replace the Barracks and are capable of defending the area and fielding all types of Varangian units as you advance through the ages, including the Early Varangian Guard.
• Varangian Warcamp: Prepare your northern reinforcements by finding a suitable location for the Varangian Warcamp to avenge any units lost in battle. If the camp is placed near to water, ships may also be selected as reinforcements.

Unique technologies

Tiered upgrades

Each of these technologies can be researched at the Varangian Arsenal up to six times at an increasing cost:

• Blade Inlaying: Increases the damage of cavalry.
• Butted Chainmail: Increases the armor and health of melee infantry.
• Fortifications: Increases the building health.
• Iron Fittings: Increases the health of siege engines.
• Lamellar Armor: Increases the armor and health of ranged units.
• Pattern Welding: Increases the damage of melee infantry.
• Scale Barding: Increases the armor and health of cavalry.
• Sharpening Stones: Increases the damage of arrow and bolt attacks.

Other unique technologies

• Rhomphaia: Grants Varangian guards bonus damage against light infantry, and increases Riddari damage.
• Roman Fire: Springalds gain increased attack speed and their projectiles create a patch of Greek Fire after impact.
• Ruinous Blinding: Units hit by Bogmaðr temporarily have their damage reduced.
• Stronghold Defensive Arrowslits: Upgrades all Varangian Strongholds with arrowslit emplacements.
• Polutasvarf: Grants Silver for each Varangian unit present at the destruction of a landmark or Town Center.
• Prolonged Siege: Siege units deal additional damage based on the amount of time they are set up.

Shared with the Byzantines

• Border Settlements
• Greek Fire Projectiles
• Heavy Dromon
• Liquid Explosives

Gallery

Atgeirmaðr

Bogmaðr

Riddari

Army near the Wonder

Soldiers near Runestones

Riddaris and Varangian Guards armed with Rhomphaia Swords

Varangian Arsenal near a mine

Varangian Warriors in the artwork for Contested Coastline