Britons
Civilization in Age of Empires 2
Ranked 1v1 on Arabia, current patch (since 23 September 2026), mirrors excluded. Source: aoe2companion. Updated weekly.
Overview
Foot archer civ with the longest range: fully upgraded Arbalesters shoot 11, Longbowmen (unique unit) 12. Foot Archers get +1/+2 range in Castle/Imperial Age. Shepherds work 25% faster. Town Centers cost 50% less wood from Castle Age. Yeomen: Foot Archers and Skirmishers +1 range, Watch Towers +2 attack. Warwolf: Trebuchets deal blast damage and are more accurate. Team: Archery Ranges work 10% faster.
Typical army
Archer
Spearman
Scout Cavalry
Crossbowman
Longbowman
Pikeman
Elite Skirmisher
Elite Longbowman
Arbalester
Halberdier
TrebuchetWhat to expect from the Britons
Almost always Archers: they usually come in Feudal Age with Archers, often behind walls, less often with a Drush into Fast Castle. Against your Scouts they add Spearmen; against your Skirmishers they switch to Scouts themselves. In Castle Age they add cheap Town Centers and mass Crossbowmen. In Imperial Age Arbalesters reach 11 range and Longbowmen 12, and Warwolf Trebuchets smash buildings and tight armies.
How to beat the Britons
Skirmishers with all armor upgrades are the main counter to their archer mass. High pierce armor beats them: Rams up front, Knights, Elite Eagle Warriors or Huskarls behind. Onagers hit their tight groups hard but stand within Longbowman range. Pressure early instead of giving them time for walls, cheap Town Centers and a big archer mass. Without Hussar, Paladin, Thumb Ring and gunpowder they lack a strong second unit late.
Counter army
SkirmisherScout Cavalry
Man-at-Arms
MangonelElite Skirmisher
Knight
Battering RamElite Skirmisher
Onager
Siege Ram
CavalierBuild orders for the Britons
- 1 Range ArchersArcher Rush · Feudal 9:15 · Intermediate · by HERA
- Archer RushArcher Rush · Feudal 8:50 · Castle 19:50 · Beginner · by Mace Fraser
- Britons Archer RushArcher Rush · Feudal 7:35 · Intermediate · by Krawlet
- Fast ArchersFeudal Rush · Feudal 9:15 · Castle 14:00 · Intermediate · by ExMayor
- Fast ArchersFeudal Rush · Feudal 8:50 · Advanced · by Holenz
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