Rickshaw
Rickshaw is a category of special units in Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties. It covers Asian civilization construction wagons and the separate neutral unit that travels on a Trade Route. Construction Rickshaws arrive through specific Home City or game effects and turn into their assigned building for free; the route Rickshaw is owned by Mother Nature and cannot be controlled by players. These uses share a name but have different purposes and rules.
Two different game roles
Construction Rickshaws can rapidly establish structures such as Docks, Markets, Monasteries, Rice Paddies, Castles, Dojos, Groves, Orchards, Sacred Fields, Trading Posts and Villages. Their exact civilization access and shipment conditions belong to each named Rickshaw entry. On an Asian Trade Route, the neutral level-one Rickshaw moves at 4.25 speed, has no Line of Sight and delivers Experience only. It follows the route automatically; upgrading the route replaces it with a faster Trade Cart, and the next level uses a train. After the route is upgraded, it can deliver resources as well as Experience. Some maps use distinct Indian and generic Asian handler models.
How each role works
For a construction shipment, select a safe placement before sending the wagon and check whether its building fills a real need; free construction still costs time and exposes the wagon while it transforms. On Trade Route maps, claim and defend useful Trading Posts so the automatic unit can continue generating rewards. Do not expect the level-one Rickshaw to scout or deliver Food, Wood or Coin: it has no sight and only gives Experience until the route is upgraded. Consult the individual Rickshaw page for its building and civilization requirements.
Construction Rickshaws turn into a building
A construction Rickshaw is a one-use delivery that becomes a particular structure, such as a Dock, Market, Monastery, Rice Paddy, Castle, Dojo, Grove, Orchard, Sacred Field, Trading Post or Village. The player must use the civilization, card or scenario access attached to that specific wagon; the generic Rickshaw category does not make every building available to every Asian civilization. Scout the destination first because the wagon is exposed until its structure is established.
The Trade Route Rickshaw is a neutral unit
A different Rickshaw travels automatically along an Asian Trade Route. At level one it moves at 4.25 speed, has no line of sight and delivers Experience only. Route upgrades replace it with a Trade Cart and later a train, with upgraded stages able to deliver resources as well as Experience. Players do not control the neutral Rickshaw directly; they claim and defend Trading Posts to receive the route’s rewards. Do not confuse this unit with a Home City construction wagon.