Khitans

Civilization in Age of Empires 2

InfantryCavalry

Ranked 1v1 on Arabia, current patch (since 23 September 2026), mirrors excluded. Source: aoe2companion. Updated weekly.

Overview

Cavalry and infantry civ: Blacksmith melee attack upgrades have double effect. Pastures replace Farms. Skirmishers, Spearmen and the Scout Cavalry line train and upgrade 15% faster. The Heavy Cavalry Archer upgrade is available in Castle Age and costs 50% less. Liao Dao (unique unit from the Castle) are infantry with bleed damage. The Mounted Trebuchet (unique unit, Imperial Age) is siege cavalry with splash damage. Lamellar Armor: infantry and Skirmishers reflect 25% of melee damage. Ordo Cavalry: cavalry regenerates HP in combat. Team: infantry +2 attack vs. ranged soldiers.

Typical army

Feudal Age

Scout CavalrySkirmisherSpearman

Castle Age

Steppe LancerHeavy Cavalry ArcherElite SkirmisherLight Cavalry

Imperial Age

Elite Steppe LancerHeavy Cavalry ArcherElite Liao DaoHeavy Camel Rider

What to expect from the Khitans

On open maps almost always a Scout rush, and since melee upgrades count double, their Scouts, Steppe Lancers and Liao Dao hit hard early. In Castle Age Steppe Lancers, Heavy Cavalry Archers thanks to the early, cheap upgrade, and lots of Skirmishers. Later Liao Dao, Heavy Camel Riders, and Rocket Carts or Mounted Trebuchets against tight groups and siege.

Build orders for the Khitans

No civ-specific build orders yet – the general builds work fine.

Plus 149 build orders for every civ – step by step with voice guidance in the player.