Khitans

Overview

Khitans are part of Age of Empires II, representing East Asia and emphasizing cavalry & archers. Their signature roster includes the Liao Dao. The effects of early Blacksmith melee upgrades are doubled.

Civilization identity

Khitans is classified as East Asia and is centered on cavalry & archers. Its defining roster entrys are Liao Dao, Mounted Trebuchet. 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, infantry deal extra damage to archers; 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.

• The effects of early Blacksmith melee upgrades are doubled Its practical value depends on whether the affected unit, resource, or building is part of the plan for this match.
• Several Skirmisher, Spearman, and Scout lines train and upgrade faster Its practical value depends on whether the affected unit, resource, or building is part of the plan for this match.
• Heavy Cavalry Archer is available earlier and costs less This changes the resource investment or timing needed to field the affected option.
• Pastures replace Farms and can be improved to produce additional livestock This affects economic tempo or worker efficiency and can change how quickly the civilization reaches its next production or Age-up timing.

Signature units and unique technologies

Liao Dao: Khitans infantry whose attacks inflict lingering damage Mounted Trebuchet: A mobile siege engine that can reposition across the battlefield and threaten structures 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.

• Lamellar Armor: Infantry and Skirmishers reflect some melee damage
• Ordo Cavalry: Melee cavalry recovers health while in combat

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: Use Pastures and their efficient food economy to reach an early military timing without overbuilding Farms.
• Core army: Cavalry and complementary ranged units make a flexible force once the food engine is running.
• Transition: Convert the food lead into sustained Castle Age production and control the map before late-game gaps matter.
• Watch for: The military tree has late-game weaknesses across several branches; seek an advantage before the opponent completes upgrades.

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
• Archery Range: Arbalester, Hand Cannoneer
• Stable: Bloodlines, Knight, Battle Elephant
• Siege Workshop: Mangonel, Heavy Scorpion, Bombard Cannon
• Castle: Hoardings, Sappers
• Dock: Dry Dock, Shipwright, Heavy Demolition Ship, Galleon, Elite Cannon Galleon
• Monastery: Redemption, Herbal Medicine, Block Printing
• Defensive structures: Keep, Bombard Tower
• Blacksmith: Blast Furnace
• University: Architecture, Keep, Arrowslits, Bombard Tower, Treadmill Crane, Dry Dock, Shipwright
• Mining Camp: Gold Shaft Mining
• Mill: Farm, Horse Collar
• Market:

Team-game role

The team bonus is Infantry deal extra damage to Archers. 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.