Armenians
Infantry & NavalTeam Bonus
Infantry +2 line of sight
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"The Armenians are an infantry and naval civilization with access to unique Mule Cart technology bonuses, early infantry upgrades, and powerful Fortified Churches that provide free relics."
Civilization Bonuses
- 1
Mule Carts cost -25%
- 2
Mule Cart technology effects +40%
- 3
Spearman- and Militia-line upgrades (except Man-at-Arms) available one age earlier
- 4
First Fortified Church receives a free Relic
- 5
Galley-line and Dromons fire an additional projectile
Unique Units
Unique Technologies
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Other Civilizations
AoE Coach analysis
Context & meta
Armenians are an infantry and naval civilization in Age of Empires II. Their identity revolves around economy via Mule Carts, which cost 25% less and whose technologies are 40% more effective. Their Spearman- and Militia-line upgrades (except Man-at-Arms) arrive one age earlier, letting them field upgraded infantry ahead of schedule. Their first Fortified Church grants a free Relic, and their Galley-line and Dromons fire an additional projectile, making their navy fearsome. The unique Composite Bowman is a versatile foot archer, while the Warrior Priest heals and converts. With a +2 line-of-sight infantry team bonus, they shine on both open land maps and water maps where their navy dominates.
History & balance
Armenians joined Age of Empires II as part of the Definitive Edition's push into Caucasian history, representing one of the world's oldest Christian cultures. Their design leans into a flavorful blend of early infantry power and naval strength, paired with a distinctive economic engine built around Mule Carts and a religious dimension through the Fortified Church and Warrior Priest. Across patches they have been seen as a quirky but capable civilization, rewarding players who exploit their early infantry timing and free Relic. They are rarely a dominant pick but are respected for their flexibility, and their water identity makes them a recurring pick on hybrid and naval maps in the Definitive Edition.
In pro play
Strong players exploit the Armenian early infantry timing, opening with Men-at-Arms into Spearmen or rushing upgraded Militia-line a full age ahead of opponents on Arabia. The free Relic from the first Fortified Church provides a steady gold trickle that supports gold-heavy unit compositions and helps transition into Composite Bowman and Warrior Priest play. On water maps and hybrid maps, pros prioritize the extra-projectile Galley-line to win early naval control, then leverage Mule Cart efficiency to out-economy opponents. The civilization rewards aggressive, tempo-based players who can punish with early infantry pressure, while booming players appreciate the discounted, more effective Mule Cart economy on closed maps like Arena.
How to counter it
To counter Armenians, neutralize their early infantry advantage with Skirmishers, walls, and archers, since their upgraded Spearman- and Militia-line lose value when they cannot connect. Their Composite Bowman and infantry can be punished by mobile units such as Knights and Camel Riders that the foot-focused roster struggles to chase. Deny the free Relic's impact by pressuring early and forcing them off gold, starving their gold units. On water, contest their extra-projectile Galleys with civilizations that have stronger naval bonuses or counter-fire with Fire Galleys, and avoid trading ship-for-ship where their additional projectile gives an edge. On land, keep maps open and use raiding cavalry to exploit their relative lack of strong mounted options.