Chinese
Civilization in Age of Empires 2
Ranked 1v1 on Arabia, current patch (since 23 September 2026), mirrors excluded. Source: aoe2companion. Updated weekly.
Overview
Archer and gunpowder civ with an economic head start: they begin with 3 more Villagers, but 50 less wood and 200 less food. Technologies cost 5/10/15% less in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age. Town Centers have +7 line of sight and provide 15 population space. Fire Lancers and Fire Ships move 5/10% faster in Castle/Imperial Age. Chu Ko Nu (unique unit from the Castle) fire several bolts per volley. The Dragon Ship (unique unit) replaces the Fast Fire Ship in Imperial Age. Great Wall: walls, towers and Bombard Towers +30% HP. Rocketry: Scorpions, Rocket Carts and Lou Chuans +25% attack. Team: Farms give 10% more food.
Typical army
Scout Cavalry
Archer
Skirmisher
Spearman
Crossbowman
Chu Ko Nu
Knight
Fire Lancer
Elite Chu Ko Nu
Arbalester
Elite Fire Lancer
Heavy Rocket CartWhat to expect from the Chinese
On open maps Scout rush and Archers about equally often, less often a Drush; on closed maps almost always Fast Castle. After a clean start they are 2 Villagers ahead in Feudal Age. In Castle Age Crossbowmen and Chu Ko Nu, plus Knights or Fire Lancers against cavalry. Instead of Mangonels they build Rocket Carts for splash damage. Cheap technologies keep their units well upgraded in every Age.
How to beat the Chinese
Their start is awkward: early pressure with Scouts or Archers slows them before the head start pays off. Against Chu Ko Nu and Archers use Skirmishers, Rams and Onagers – the extra bolts are weak against high pierce armor. Rocket Carts are their only splash damage; once your cavalry reaches them they die fast. Late game they lack Paladin, Hussar, Heavy Cavalry Archer, Hand Cannoneer, Bombard Cannon, Redemption and Siege Engineers.
Counter army
SkirmisherSpearmanScout Cavalry
Elite Skirmisher
MangonelKnightElite Skirmisher
Onager
Cavalier
Hand CannoneerBuild orders for the Chinese
- Chinese Fast FeudalFast Feudal · Feudal 8:25 · Advanced · by Hera
- Chinese Dark AgeArchers · Feudal 9:15 · Intermediate · by Sontiac Sathar
- Chinese Drush Fast CastleFast Castle · Feudal 12:35 · Castle 16:05 · Intermediate · by RanLee
- Chinese Fast Feudal 2 Ranges ArcherFeudal Rush · Feudal 8:00 · Castle 18:10 · Advanced · by FWong
- Chinese Feudal ArchersArcher Rush · Feudal 9:40 · Advanced · by Capoch
- Fast CastleFast Castle · Feudal 11:45 · Castle 15:15 · Intermediate · by Paxihs
- Hera ChineseScout Rush · Feudal 8:25 · Beginner · by Hera
- Scouts → ArchersArcher Rush · Feudal 8:50 · Advanced · by Hera
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