Persians
Civilization in Age of Empires 2
Ranked 1v1 on Arabia, current patch (since 23 September 2026), mirrors excluded. Source: aoe2companion. Updated weekly.
Overview
Cavalry civ with strong Town Centers: start with +50 wood and +50 food. Town Centers and Docks have double HP and work 5/10/15/20% faster in Dark/Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age. Parthian Tactics already in Castle Age. From Imperial Age the Caravanserai (heals and speeds up Trade Carts). Unique units: War Elephant (from the Castle, trample damage) and Savar (Imperial Age, instead of Paladin). Kamandaran: Archers cost wood instead of gold. Citadels: Castles +4 attack, +3 vs. Rams and infantry, -25% bonus damage taken. Team: Knight line +2 attack vs. ranged soldiers.
Typical army
Scout Cavalry
Archer
Spearman
Knight
Crossbowman
Camel Rider
War Elephant
Savar
Elite War ElephantCrossbowman
Hand CannoneerWhat to expect from the Persians
On open maps usually a Scout rush, less often Barracks first with a Drush or Archers; on closed maps Fast Castle. Hera recommends them for Double Stable Scouts: Scouts with Bloodlines from two Stables. The faster Town Centers give a strong economy. In Castle Age Knights, plus Crossbowmen (gold-free with Kamandaran) and Camel Riders; War Elephants are expensive and slow but very dangerous in numbers. Late game Savar, War Elephants and Hand Cannoneers.
How to beat the Persians
Stop the Scout rush with Spearmen and walls. Against Knights and Savar use Halberdiers, Camel Riders and Monks. Counter War Elephants with Monks and Halberdiers; without Heresy, converted Elephants simply switch to your side. Their ranged units are weak: no Arbalester and no Bracer, so your own Arbalesters win the ranged duel. They also lack Two-Handed Swordsman, Siege Onager, Siege Engineers, Redemption and Keep.
Counter army
SpearmanArcher
Skirmisher
PikemanCamel Rider
MonkCrossbowman
Halberdier
ArbalesterMonk
Heavy Camel RiderBuild orders for the Persians
- Cavalry RushScout Rush · Feudal 8:25 · Beginner · by Vonubrog
- Double Castle War ElephantsFast Castle · Feudal 13:11 · Castle 16:21 · Intermediate · by FolderOfDoom
- Fast Drush FCDrush → Fast Castle · Feudal 11:59 · Castle 15:09 · Advanced · by Survivalist
- Hybrid Map Galley Rush For PersiansWater · Feudal 8:49 · Castle 18:49 · Advanced · by OMEGAJ
- The Persian Douche Shame On YouBoom · Feudal 8:49 · Castle 13:08 · Intermediate · by Lord Masai
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