Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition Artwork
Image via Forgotten Empires/Tantalus Media/Wicked Witch/World's Edge

10 Best Units in Age of Empires 2

This is our list of the best units in Age of Empires 2!

Age of Empires 2 is considered to be one of the best PC games of all time. The game’s staying power within the competitive gaming scene and even just with the casual player is something that any game dreams of having. With the release of the HD version recently, there has been an even bigger resurgence of players wanting to check the game out and live out their own epic fantasies. Mongols vs French? Japanese vs Chinese? Your imagination is the limit… Or a tier list. Who are the best units in Age of Empires 2?

Recommended Videos

Best Units in Age of Empires 2

Recommended: Age of Empires 2: Return of Rome Release Date

  • Mangudai (Mongols) – This cavalry archer unit has a high rate of fire and can quickly move in and out of enemy lines, making it a formidable unit in both ranged and melee combat.
  • War Elephant (Persians) – The War Elephant is a powerful and heavily armored unit that can absorb a lot of damage while dealing massive damage to enemy units and buildings.
  • Conquistador (Spanish) – These mounted gunners are effective against both cavalry and infantry, and their ranged attack can pierce through enemy armor.
  • Samurai (Japanese) – The Samurai is a strong infantry unit with a fast attack and high hit points, making it effective in close combat.
  • Janissary (Turks) – This gunpowder unit is a powerful ranged unit that can quickly destroy enemy infantry and buildings.
  • Teutonic Knight (Teutons) – This heavily armored infantry unit is slow but extremely powerful, able to take down most units with ease.
  • Chu Ko Nu (Chinese) – The Chu Ko Nu is a unique crossbowman unit that fires multiple arrows in quick succession, making it effective against both infantry and cavalry.
  • Woad Raider (Celts) – This fast-moving infantry unit is effective against archers and other ranged units, able to quickly close the distance and deal heavy damage.
  • Longbowman (Britons) – The Longbowman is a ranged unit with a long range and high accuracy, making it a deadly force on the battlefield.
  • Cataphract (Byzantines) – This heavily armored cavalry unit is effective against both infantry and cavalry, and its trample damage can deal additional damage to nearby units.

Hopefully this list of the best units in Age of Empires 2 helped you figure out who you want to play in your next epic campaign with your friends or maybe even online on the competitive ladder. No matter what though, just make sure to have fun and play whoever you want.


Age of Empires 2 is widely regarded as one of the best Age of Empires games ever made, though some people would argue that the more recent Age of Empires releases are just as good, if not much better than Age of Empires 2. Check out Gamer Journalist’s guides on Age of Empires 2 and its successors if you want to judge which games are the best for yourself!

Author
Image of Zach Quest
Zach Quest
Obsessed with grinding, always playing some game you've never heard of. I am a huge MMORPG, Gacha and farming simulator fan. If I'm not grinding something in one of the many games I play (Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, Runescape, Epic Seven etc) I can be found working on my novel, reading, watching anime or hanging out with my three dogs.