GUIDE · SOUTHERN EUROPE
Italians Strategy
Italians: On water maps, invest early in Docks and use the civilization’s naval advantages to contest the shoreline. Genoese Crossbowmen and the broad naval roster provide answers to cavalry and ships.
Overview
Italians: On water maps, invest early in Docks and use the civilization’s naval advantages to contest the shoreline. Genoese Crossbowmen and the broad naval roster provide answers to cavalry and ships.
Opening decision and first timing
On water, cheaper Dock research, Fishing Ships, and age advances can support a fast contest for fish and transport routes. Secure enough shore vision before adding more boats. On land, the advance discount can create a technology timing, but a bare age-up without army or production lets the opponent attack during the transition.
Composition, counters, and transition
Genoese Crossbowmen are a specialist answer to mounted units, while Condottieri can respond to gunpowder pressure. Maintain ordinary front-line troops and siege alongside either unique option. The foot-archer armor bonus helps preserve a ranged core, but keep it out of direct cavalry contact; the late gunpowder discount is most useful after a reliable gold economy is established.
Opening priorities
On water maps, invest early in Docks and use the civilization’s naval advantages to contest the shoreline.
Core army
Genoese Crossbowmen and the broad naval roster provide answers to cavalry and ships.
Technology & transition
Use the lower advance costs and strong economy to reach Castle Age, then support allies or establish a late naval lead.
Watch for
The land cavalry tree has omissions; do not assume the standard Knight or Camel transitions remain available.
- Also known as
- Italians (Age of Empires II)/Strategy
- Focus
- Civilization opening and matchup plan
- Signature / category
- Strategy guide
- Release / context
- The Forgotten
- Region
- Southern Europe
- Classification
- Civilization plans