Romans
Civilization in Age of Empires 2
Ranked 1v1 on Arabia, current patch (since 23 September 2026), mirrors excluded. Source: aoe2companion. Updated weekly.
Overview
Infantry and cavalry civ: Villagers gather, build and repair 5% faster. Infantry armor upgrades have double effect. Scorpions cost 50% less gold. Galleys and Dromons +1 melee and +1 pierce armor. Unique units: Centurion (cavalry from the Castle, makes nearby Militia units move and attack faster) and Legionary (Imperial Age, instead of Two-Handed Swordsman). Ballistas: Scorpions attack 33% faster, Galleys +2 attack. Comitatenses: Militia line, Knights and Centurions train 50% faster and get a charge attack. Team: reduced Scorpion minimum range.
Typical army
Man-at-Arms
Spearman
Skirmisher
Long Swordsman
Scorpion
Knight
Centurion
Legionary
Elite Centurion
Heavy Scorpion
HalberdierWhat to expect from the Romans
On open maps almost always Barracks first: a Drush or Men-at-Arms; Hera plays the Romans 5 Man-at-Arms Rush. Thanks to doubled armor upgrades their Men-at-Arms hold up well against early Archers. On closed maps Fast Castle. In Castle Age Long Swordsmen, Spearmen and Skirmishers, plus cheap Scorpions and Knights, later Centurions. Late game Legionaries with Centurions and Scorpions with Ballistas. According to ageofnotes one of the strongest civs on the current patch.
How to beat the Romans
Use Archers early against the Men-at-Arms, before the armor upgrades kick in. Legionaries are exceptionally strong against infantry, so don't fight them with your own infantry; they are weak to ranged units at a distance. Hand Cannoneers and Onagers against the infantry mass, overrun Scorpion positions with cavalry. Counter Centurions with Halberdiers or Camel Riders, not Archers. Romans lack Arbalester, Thumb Ring, Bracer, Plate Mail Armor, Paladin, Hussar, Siege Onager, Camel Riders and all gunpowder. Monks are worth it against expensive Centurions; they lack Heresy.
Counter army
ArcherSkirmisher
Crossbowman
Pikeman
MangonelKnight
Hand Cannoneer
OnagerHalberdier
ArbalesterBuild orders for the Romans
- Romans 5 Man-at-Arms RushMAA Rush · Feudal 9:15 · Intermediate · by Hera
- FAST ScorpionFast Castle · Feudal 9:40 · Castle 12:45 · Beginner · by .
- FC → INF + ScorpFast Castle · Feudal 9:40 · Castle 13:10 · Intermediate · by rumdiidumdii
- Morley 21+1+Loom→ Romans→FC→ Scorpion+KnightSiege · Feudal 9:40 · Castle 12:45 · Intermediate · by Morley Games
- Romans Fast Castle To Scorpion SpamFast Castle · Feudal 9:40 · Castle 12:45 · Advanced · by MorleyGames
- Romans Full ScorpionsFast Castle · Feudal 9:40 · Castle 12:45 · Beginner · by MaGe
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