Imperial Camel Rider
CamelBase values, before Blacksmith upgrades. The Blacksmith raises attack and armour for infantry, cavalry and archers — Blast Furnace, for instance, gives "+2 Attack for infantry & cavalry". Late in a game, the real numbers are higher.
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Camel Rider
Castle
Heavy Camel Rider
Imperial Imperial Camel Rider
ImperialThe coach's briefing
The Imperial Camel Rider is the pinnacle of camel units, exclusive to Hindustanis. With 140 HP, 8 Attack, and the same devastating cavalry bonuses as Heavy Camels, Imperial Camels dominate any cavalry engagement. They are cost-effective enough to mass produce and powerful enough to front-line. Still weak to archers and infantry. Classes: Camel.
STRONG AGAINST
You win these trades cost-effectively.
WEAK AGAINST
Avoid these fights or bring support.
Just lost against this unit?
Your coach names the counters during the match — not once the game is over.
Strategic Analysis
Tactical Identity
The Imperial Camel Rider is Hindustanis' answer to the Paladin. While most civilizations must use Heavy Camels, Hindustanis get an **upgraded super-camel** that can go toe-to-toe with any cavalry in the game.
Tactical Playbook
Paladin Destroyer
Your 140 HP and 8 attack make you comparable to a Cavalier in raw stats, but with +18 bonus vs Cavalry. You absolutely crush Paladins in equal numbers.
Mass Production
At 55F/60G with 20s train time, you can mass Imperial Camels faster than enemies can mass Paladins. Overwhelm with numbers and cost efficiency.
Front-Line Capable
Unlike other Camels, your 140 HP lets you tank some damage. You can lead charges and absorb hits while your archers clean up.
Critical Point
You still have **0 armor** and the Camel class. **Halberdiers** and **Arbalesters** remain deadly threats. The upgrade costs 1000F/500G - make sure it's worth it before committing.
Understanding The Stats
The Imperial Camel Rider pushes camel stats to their maximum. With HP rivaling Cavaliers and attack matching Knights, this is as tanky as a camel gets.
Cavalier-Level HP
With Bloodlines, you reach 160 HP - matching a Paladin! This makes you the only camel that can truly front-line.
Knight-Level Attack
Base 8 attack is respectable even without bonuses. Against non-cavalry targets, you still hit hard.
Same Cavalry Bonus
Identical to Heavy Camel. Against a Paladin, you deal (8-5)+18 = 21 damage per hit. With your HP, you easily win.
Faster Training
2 seconds faster than Heavy Camels. Small but meaningful when massing in late game.
Coach's Tip
Your 140 HP (160 with Bloodlines) is your defining feature. You're the only camel that can take real punishment. Use this to lead charges against cavalry - you'll come out on top every time.
Mechanics & Bonuses
Attack Bonuses
| Target | Bonus Dmg |
|---|---|
| Cavalry | +18 |
| Camel | +9 |
| Ship | +9 |
Armor Classes
Camel
Takes specific bonus damage from Pikemen.
Key Upgrades
Feudal Age
Castle Age
Civilizations
* 1 civilizations have access to this unit.
Other Units
AoE Coach analysis
Context & meta
The Imperial Camel Rider is the Hindustani unique Imperial Age mounted unit: 55 food and 60 gold, 20 seconds to train, 140 HP, 8 attack, 0/0 armor, 1.45 speed, 5 line of sight and no range. Its Camel armor class receives bonuses of +18 against Cavalry, +9 against Camel and +7 against Mameluke. Hindustani Camel Riders attack +20% faster, so the unit is a specialized anti-mounted tool rather than a generic replacement for every cavalry line. Its value rises when the opponent commits gold to mounts.
History & balance
The Imperial Camel Rider is built around the old tactical distinction between a horseman and a camel: the mount is not merely faster or stronger, it is chosen to make other mounted armies pay for committing. The unit keeps the visual language of cavalry but changes the matchup through its Camel class and large anti-Cavalry bonus. Its high HP and 1.45 speed encourage pursuit, while 0/0 armor and no range keep the counterplay clear. The Hindustani version adds a faster attack cycle, turning a narrow answer into a serious late-game formation when the matchup is right.
In pro play
Use Imperial Camel Riders to meet a mounted commitment, then exploit their 1.45 speed to choose the engagement. Their +18 versus Cavalry and +9 versus Camel are the reason to spend 60 gold; do not dilute that purpose by sending them first into Infantry, Monks or Foot Archers, the official weaknesses. With 140 HP they can absorb a first contact, but 0 pierce armor makes ranged fire dangerous. Hindustani +20% attack speed improves sustained trades, while the 55 food cost still demands a stable economy. Keep the group mobile, hit the expensive mounted core and disengage when the opponent changes class.
How to counter it
The classic mistake is trying to counter Imperial Camel Riders with another cavalry line, feeding into the unit bonus that makes mounted trades bad. The official help gives the categories: Mounted Units as strong against; Infantry, Monks and Foot Archers as weak against. Halberdier has +26 against Camel; Monks are the control option named by the help. Hold the front with melee Infantry. Keep Foot Archers at distance and focus the 140-HP units before they reach your economy. If Imperial Camels keep overrunning your army and you do not know what to produce or when, that is exactly what AoE Coach does: it reads your match-up and gives you the counter composition and timing.