History behind every AoE2 Unique Unit - Part 1

Images taken from:

0:00 Intro
0:32 LONGBOWMAN
1:19 CATAPHRACT
2:08 WOAD RAIDER
3:58 CHU KO NU
4:58 THROWING AXEMAN
5:58 HUSKARL
8:32 SAMURAI
9:53 TIERLIST

[armchairsaurus]

If we beat 1000 subs with this one, then the next video is gonna have a very "Friendly" intro

[birgerbaert]

So, you have 781 subscribers. This video was released 24 minutes ago. I got it as a suggestion on my YT front page. It looks like YT is doing something right. Good job. I suspect you'll have 5k subscribers by the end of the month.

[snoxeri]

I think the Francisca axe-throwers held large axes so that they could be distinguished and differentiated easily (and quickly) by the player.

[tyranitararmaldo]

This was very high quality. Looking forward to more, especially the infamous Mameluke.

[SirAroace]

samurai were originally going to be Calvary that could switch between melee and range, but this was drop do to technicaly problematic for the old 1999 engine. the idea was later revived for the Ratha.

[martijn]

Let's be honest here. Even if the Chu Ko Nu wasn't as good in real life, there's few units that could have done justice to the romance that the ancient Qin and Han-era Chinese had with the crossbow.

[kalui]

This stuff is the reason why I haven't quit AOE2. It was my first game I ever played. I'm still learning about stuff about it all these years later, thanks in large part to channels like this.

So, thank you! Looking forward to seeing your next project!

[PhoenixAlaris]

Fun fact: The Visigoths did have a soldier called a Gardingo which functioned very similarly to Nordic and Saxon Huskarls. So, if you just changed the unit name to that...

[brunoalsi]

That sarcasm when introducing the samurai was just... *chef's kiss*

[Resegy]

I'd love playing Celts with this historically accurate unique unit. Please someone make the mod!

[wraethcs]

HAHA the horse head on the Cataphract was hilarious. Look forward to part 2!

[HandleDisliker]

I think the Woad raider isn't based upon historical accuracy, but is based upon the Celtic belief that they wanted their body to have as much contact with the earth when they died. The more of their skin contacted the earth, the more of their soul could escape to the afterlife. That's why the Romans noticed it and we picture savage barbarians almost naked. And what's more "I'm naked and going to war" than donning war paint? Make the color of the warpaint blue to symbolize Scotland and boom! You have the Woad Raider.

This doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the video though, Armchairasaurus! Quite excited that YouTube recommended this to me.

[lscibor]

3:25 Celtic warriors fighting naked is described by Polybius, Livy and Diodorus among others. Celts might have invented the mail, but it was always very expensive thing, and especially in less populated and developed regions of Celtic world, it would mostly be chieftains who could afford coats of mail. Let alone some ceremonial bronze helmets and shields. So if one could, at most afford some primitive breastplate, he could just as well go naked for various reasons.

And woad riders are supposed to be raiders exactly, one of the cheapest unique units by gold cost.

Similarly, in actual medieval period, majority of Scottish infantrymen wouldn't be able to wear much or any armor either, and various lightly armed skirmishers would be popular too.

So while units is definitely gimmicky, and woad should go, it's not that bad.

Samurai is arguably about as problematic, with no horse, bow, polearm, just running around with sword. Guess they've just wanted another infantry UU.

[Dawnrim]

The ‘Arrows vs Armory’ crew over on Tod’s Workshop channel will have something to say about the statement about English longbowmen prioritizing range over accuracy. Great video in general though. Generally solid facts here, and love the topic in general. Stoked for next part.

[KroM]

Hey! Nice to see another series, can't wait for the next one! About franciscas, I can confirm: I own a couple and practice throwing sometimes in summer out of fun, and occasionally it can bounce off a stupid distance! It can be dangerous if not properly thrown as it might bounce towards the thrower. Usually it bounces a large area in front of the thrower after hitting the ground. I can't imagine the psychological effect of having hundreds of axes coming at you in one volley and bouncing over and under shields, it must be horrible.

[christos]

As always, excellent video. I can tell that a lot of effort has been put into just researching alone.

The thing about the woad raider in my opinion is that the Celts themselves seem like a confusing civilization. I guess the game is trying to make them represent medieval Scotland and maybe Ireland as well? I'm not sure if it is meant to represent the inhabitants of Gaul, Northern Italy, Britannia and Galacia in Antiquity, but if it is meant to I can see why the Woad raider has little clothes as the Gauls in the Battle of Telamon have been described as wearing no clothes at all. I'm not at all sure why they have good siege. I've never heard of the celts being good at anything of the sort. My only thought about the celts having good siege is maybe the fact that they managed to sack Rome in 390 BC (and perhaps balance wise too).

You indicated that the Huskarl for the goths is a poor choice for a unique unit, out of curiosity what would you give them as a unique unit?

[spinyslasher]

I like your sarcasm when talking about the samurai 🤣

[jomolhari]

Absolutely loved this video, man, well done. I've read about the celts and other things in the game, only to realize I know absolutely nothing about the Goths. They have quite an interesting history it seems

[harisgrl]

One of the most interest video about Aoe 2 and the history of civilazations

[whoawhoa]

Amazing video, can't wait for more. Also adore the touch of using the aoe1 ost in the background. Very underrated ost