Malians

Civilization in Age of Empires 2

InfantryCavalry

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

Overview

Infantry civ: Barracks units have +1/+2/+3 pierce armor in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age. Buildings cost 15% less wood. Villagers drop off 10% more gold. Gbetos (unique unit from the Castle) throw knives that deal melee damage at range. Tigui: Town Centers fire arrows without garrisoned Villagers. Farimba: cavalry +5 attack. Team: Universities work 80% faster.

Typical army

Feudal Age

Man-at-ArmsScout CavalryArcherSkirmisher

Castle Age

GbetoKnightCamel RiderLong Swordsman

Imperial Age

Elite GbetoChampionCavalierHeavy Camel Rider

What to expect from the Malians

On open maps usually Barracks first with a Drush, then Men-at-Arms, Archers or Scouts; Hera recommends them for several Scout builds and the Feudal Drush. Their infantry holds up well against early Archers thanks to the pierce armor. On closed maps Fast Castle. In Castle Age Knights and Gbetos, fast ranged units that clear Villagers and infantry. Late game Champions, Cavaliers with Farimba and Heavy Camel Riders.

Build orders for the Malians

• Fast Scouts → KnightsScout Rush · Feudal 9:15 · Castle 18:10 · Beginner · by robpob
• Gbeto And Rams Hopping StrategyFast Castle · Feudal 10:30 · Castle 14:00 · Intermediate · by Poop Lord

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