Berbers

Overview

Berbers are part of Age of Empires II, representing North Africa and emphasizing cavalry & mobility. Their signature roster includes the Genitour. Villagers move faster, with a larger boost from the Feudal Age.

Civilization identity

Berbers is classified as North Africa and is centered on cavalry & mobility. Its defining roster entrys are Camel Archer, Genitour. This focus is a starting point for reading the technology tree, not a requirement to use only one unit line: the bonuses and matchup determine which parts of the roster are worth investing in. In team games, genitours can be trained at the archery range from the castle age; account for this while choosing allies and deciding which role the civilization should cover.

Civilization bonuses and their value

Each bonus applies to a specific part of the economy, army, or map plan. Read the effect together with its target: a discount matters when it changes a build or upgrade timing, while a combat bonus matters only when the affected unit or structure is actually fielded.

• Villagers move faster, with a larger boost from the Feudal Age This affects economic tempo or worker efficiency and can change how quickly the civilization reaches its next production or Age-up timing.
• Cavalry become cheaper in the Castle and Imperial Ages This changes the resource investment or timing needed to field the affected option.
• Ships move faster This is a water-map advantage; plan around control of fishing, crossings, and transport rather than assuming it matters equally on a land map.

Signature units and unique technologies

Camel Archer: Mounted archers suited to countering other cavalry archers Genitour: A mounted skirmisher that counters ranged units and can be shared through a Berber team bonus These units define the civilization’s distinctive options. Its unique technologies add later-game choices; compare their effects with the cost and research timing before committing resources.

• Kasbah: Allied Castles work faster
• Maghrebi Camels: Camel units slowly recover health

Civilization game plan

The guide below connects the civilization’s bonuses to an opening, a main army, a transition, and the principal risk to watch. Adapt the sequence after scouting rather than treating it as a fixed build order.

• Opening: Scout early and choose a cavalry opening only when the map and opponent make it safe. Berber mounted units become especially valuable when sustained production matters.
• Core army: Combine cavalry with camels against mounted armies, and use Genitours to add mobile ranged damage against foot archers. Keep a few counter units mixed into the main force.
• Transition: Use mobility to raid multiple exposed areas, then add the Berbers’ unique units and technology when their roles fit the matchup.
• Watch for: Do not let discounted cavalry become an excuse to ignore counters; spears, walls, and concentrated ranged fire can blunt predictable raids.

Technology tree gaps

This civilization-specific tree marks the units, research, and upgrades that are unavailable. Check the named production building or research line before planning a transition; the gaps can rule out an otherwise familiar counter or upgrade.

• Barracks: Halberdier, Gambesons
• Archery Range: Arbalester, Parthian Tactics
• Stable: Paladin, Battle Elephant, Steppe Lancer
• Siege Workshop: Siege Ram, Siege Onager
• Castle: Sappers
• Monastery: Sanctity, Block Printing
• Defensive structures: Keep, Bombard Tower
• University: Architecture, Bombard Tower, Keep, Incendiaries
• Lumber Camp: Two-Man Saw
• Market:

Team-game role

The team bonus is Genitours can be trained at the Archery Range from the Castle Age. This can help define a complementary team role. Coordinate it with allied civilizations that can use the bonus or cover a weakness in the roster.