Age of Empires II / Characters

Age of Empires II characters, factions and unit roles

Identify the people, opponents and playable roles in Age of Empires II, with their functions and relationships in compact tables.

Edition covered

The 1999 Age of Kings core game and its thirteen original civilizations. Pictures are publisher media from the later HD Edition and can include The Conquerors content. Definitive Edition balancing, civilizations and DLC campaigns are outside this guide.

9 characters · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.

Characters and roles

Tutorial figure

William Wallace

Introduces economy, buildings and combat in the learning campaign.

Reference

Frankish heroine

Joan of Arc

Leads the French historical campaign.

Reference

Saracen leader

Saladin

Central figure in the Crusades-era campaign.

Reference

Mongol leader

Genghis Khan

The Mongol campaign follows conquests across several regions.

Reference

Teuton ruler

Barbarossa

Frederick Barbarossa is the focus of the Teuton campaign.

Reference

Economic unit

Villager

Gathers resources and builds or repairs structures.

Reference

Core unit jobs

Explore and raid

Scout Cavalry

Open routes and awareness of spearmen.

Reference

Heal and convert

Monk

Military protection.

Reference

Break defenses

Siege weapon

Protection from melee attackers.

Reference

Quick notes

Campaign heroes have scenario rules. The original selection contains William Wallace, Joan of Arc, Saladin, Genghis Khan and Barbarossa.
Use economy and army together. Villagers supply resources, Scouts reveal the map, Monks heal or convert, and siege attacks defenses.
Protect required characters. Read objectives before committing a named hero to a battle.
Keep expansion campaigns separate. The Conquerors and later editions add campaigns and civilizations.

Useful tip

The Conquerors and later editions add campaigns and civilizations. Their appearance in HD store pictures does not add them to this original Age of Kings roster.

References

Guide references
Reference	Website
Age of Empires II publisher listing	store.steampowered.com
Microsoft Age of Kings manual, archived copy	manuals.plus