War Dhow
War Dhow is an Ethiopian naval unit available from the Fortress Age at the Port. It combines high durability with the ability to transport land units, supporting naval movement and amphibious operations.
Recorded values
- Available
- Fortress Age · Port
- Training
- 40 sec · 120 XP per train
- Durability & mobility
- 2,500 hit points · 75% ranged resistance · 7.5 speed · 36 line of sight
- Ranged attack
- 28 range · 2.0 attack interval · bonuses: 0.5x vs. Artillery
- Ability
- Transport land units
Role, availability & values
It has 2,500 hit points, moves at 7.5 speed and has 75% ranged resistance. It costs 700 Coin and 500 Influence and takes 40 seconds to train. It can transport land units; its recorded bonus modifier against Artillery is 0.5×, so it is not a dedicated counter to guns.
Matchup & timing
Use War Dhows to move an army across water or support a naval objective, and protect them from enemy ships while loading and unloading. Plan the landing route before committing the transport and keep a fleet nearby. The high resource cost makes an exposed crossing risky.
Broadside, transport capacity and age scaling
The War Dhow is an Ethiopian mercenary warship from The African Royals, trained at a Port in the Fortress Age. Its base limit is two and it can garrison up to 50 land units, so its transport role can move a substantial force across water. Its main attack deals 105 siege damage at range 28 every two seconds, with a 0.5-times modifier against Artillery; it also has a Broadside Attack, making it more than a passive transport. With 2,500 hit points, 75% ranged resistance and 7.5 speed, it can maneuver in and out of engagements, but the source notes its range is relatively short compared with some heavy ships. It costs 700 Coin and 500 Influence and takes 40 seconds to train, so losing one on an unprotected crossing is costly. Its Age upgrades are automatic: in the Industrial Age Broadside damage rises by 50%; in the Imperial Age it gains 30% hit points and damage and another 30% Broadside damage. It can also be used by other civilizations through mercenary shipments. Load troops before approaching the contested shore, escort the ship, and unload where land units can move immediately; do not treat the artillery modifier as a counter bonus, since it is only half damage against Artillery.
Ethiopian naval role
Ethiopians can train up to two War Dhows from the Port; other civilizations may receive them through mercenary access. Its 50-unit transport capacity makes it suitable for a deliberate landing, while its Broadside attack gives it a burst option when a ship or coastal position must be pressured. Keep its relatively short range in mind and use its 7.5 speed to reposition rather than exchange fire at a disadvantage.
Broadside attack and naval matchups
Broadside Attack fires from range 30, dealing five 20-damage siege hits in an area of effect of 1; each hit has a 2× multiplier against ships. The ability has a 60-second cooldown, so use it when the target and nearby units can be caught by the volley rather than spending it on an isolated low-value target. The War Dhow can threaten ships and infantry close to shore, but artillery—especially Culverins—and defensive structures are dangerous counters. Its long-distance transport capacity does not make it safe to load or unload under an opposing fleet; escort it and choose a landing point beyond the enemy’s immediate firing line.