Woad Raider unit icon - Age of Empires 2

Woad Raider

Infantry
Food70
Gold25
Hit Points70
Attack11
Melee Armor0
Pierce Armor1
Train Time10s
Speed1.17

Evolution

Food 1000 Gold 800

STRONG AGAINST

You win these trades cost-effectively.

Villager
Villager
?
Siege
?
Archers (if caught)
?
Buildings

WEAK AGAINST

Avoid these fights or bring support.

Arbalester
Arbalester
Hand Cannoneer
Hand Cannoneer
Knight
Knight
Cataphract
Cataphract

Strategic Analysis

Tactical Identity

The Woad Raider is a **lightning-fast raiding infantry**. Designed to hit vulnerable targets and escape before enemies can respond.

Tactical Playbook

Eco Raiding

1.17 speed lets you run past defenders. Target villagers and production buildings.

Building Destroyer

+2 vs buildings. Can quickly destroy houses to pop-cap enemies.

Pursuit Hunter

Fast enough to catch fleeing archers and siege. Nothing escapes a Woad Raider.

Critical Point

**Paper armor**. 0/1 means even Skirmishers hurt you. Never fight under Town Center fire or against archer masses.

Understanding The Stats

The Woad Raider trades armor for exceptional speed, making it the ultimate hit-and-run infantry.

Blazing Speed

1.17 tiles/s

Fastest infantry. Outruns most defenders and catches runners.

Good HP

70 HP

Reasonable survivability despite poor armor.

Solid Attack

11 Damage

Kills villagers in 3 hits. Effective raiding power.

Fast Training

10 seconds

Very quick to produce. Can replace losses rapidly.

Coach's Tip

1.17 speed with Squires becomes 1.27 - faster than Scout Cavalry! You can literally outrun light cavalry.

Mechanics & Bonuses

Attack Bonuses

TargetBonus Dmg
Building+2
Standard Building+2

Armor Classes

Infantry

Takes bonus damage from Hand Cannoneers, Slingers, and anti-infantry unique units.

Unique Unit

Vulnerable to units with bonus damage vs this class.