Persians

Overview

Persians are part of Age of Empires II, representing West Asia and emphasizing cavalry & economy. Their signature roster includes the War Elephant. Start with extra food and wood.

Civilization identity

Persians is classified as West Asia and is centered on cavalry & economy. Its defining roster entrys are War Elephant, Savar. 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, knights and their upgrades deal more 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.

• Start with extra food and wood Its practical value depends on whether the affected unit, resource, or building is part of the plan for this match.
• Town Centers and Docks have more hit points and work faster as the game advances This affects economic tempo or worker efficiency and can change how quickly the civilization reaches its next production or Age-up timing.
• Parthian Tactics is available in the Castle Age This changes access to a unit, building, or resource and can open a timing or map-control option earlier than usual.
• Caravanserais become available in the Imperial Age This changes access to a unit, building, or resource and can open a timing or map-control option earlier than usual.

Signature units and unique technologies

War Elephant: A powerful mounted unit that can damage groups around its target, but moves slowly and draws counter-attacks Savar: The Persian elite cavalry upgrade that replaces the Paladin 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.

• Kamandaran: Archer-line units trade their gold cost for extra wood
• Citadels: Castles gain attack and resist bonus damage

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 the flexible starting resources and faster Town Center work rate to establish an efficient early economy.
• Core army: Cavalry is the core strength, with the Savar providing an Imperial Age option alongside other mounted lines.
• Transition: Build into Castle Age cavalry while using the stronger economy to support production and upgrades.
• Watch for: Strong mounted units are expensive; balance food and gold and add counters when the opponent prepares anti-cavalry units.

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: Two-Handed Swordsman
• Archery Range: Arbalester
• Stable: Battle Elephant, Steppe Lancer
• Siege Workshop: Siege Onager
• Castle:
• Dock: Shipwright
• Monastery: Redemption, Atonement, Sanctity, Heresy, Illumination
• Defensive structures: Keep, Fortified Wall, Bombard Tower
• Blacksmith: Bracer
• University: Fortified Wall, Bombard Tower, Siege Engineers, Keep, Arrowslits, Treadmill Crane, Shipwright
• Market:

Team-game role

The team bonus is Knights and their upgrades deal more 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.