Mongols

Civilization Bonuses

Unique Unit

Unique Technologies

Build Orders

Strategy Tips

In-Depth Mongols Analysis

The Mongols are the premiere cavalry archer civilization in Age of Empires II, with a unique combination of faster-firing Cavalry Archers, extra-durable Light Cavalry, and the Mangudai — a unique unit that is simultaneously a cavalry archer and the most efficient siege destroyer in the game. Their hit-and-run playstyle rewards excellent micro, aggressive map presence, and constant pressure that prevents opponents from developing safely.

Cavalry Archers Fire 25% Faster — The Core Advantage

A standard Heavy Cavalry Archer fires once every 2 seconds. A Mongol Heavy Cavalry Archer fires once every 1.6 seconds — the equivalent of adding 25% to their attack without any blacksmith upgrade. Over a 60-second fight, a Mongol Cavalry Archer makes 37 attacks versus a non-Mongol's 30. When you have 20 Cavalry Archers, that is 140 additional arrows over a minute of sustained fighting — roughly equivalent to having 7 extra Cavalry Archers for free. This bonus makes Mongol Cavalry Archers the most cost-efficient ranged cavalry in the game.

Light Cavalry with +30% HP (78 HP instead of 60) are substantially harder to kill with any standard counter — Halberdiers, Monks, or Crossbowmen all require proportionally more attacks to eliminate each Hussar. This makes Mongol raiding forces extraordinarily persistent. Even after an opponent attempts to counter-attack the Mongol player's raiding parties, the extra HP means the raiders survive long enough to deal disproportionate economic damage before retreating.

The Mangudai — Anti-Siege Cavalry Archer

The Mangudai deserves separate analysis because its role is distinct from standard Cavalry Archers. While firing at similar speed (benefiting from the Mongol 25% bonus on top of its already-fast fire rate), the Mangudai has +8 bonus damage against siege units specifically. A group of Mangudai can destroy Trebuchets, Bombard Cannons, and Mangonels faster than almost any other unit type, making them the ultimate mobile anti-siege force. Opponents who rely on siege to defend against Mongol archer pushes find their siege destroyed before it can fire effectively.

Drill (unique tech, Castle Age) makes Siege Workshop units — including Mangonels and Scorpions — move 50% faster. A Mongol army of Mangudai and Scorpions with Drill moves at nearly cavalry speeds, creating a mobile siege train that can keep up with the Mangudai raiding forces and arrive at new locations before opponents can set up defenses. This mobility combination is one of the most unique army archetypes in AoE2.

Dark Age Hunting Advantage

Hunters working 40% faster means that the early Dark Age food income from hunting deer and boars is significantly higher for Mongols than other civilizations. Combined with Scout Cavalry with +2 Line of Sight (for spotting deer and resources earlier), Mongol players can establish a faster food income from hunting and transition to farming later in the game without falling behind. This economic edge in the very early game directly supports faster military production in Feudal Age for early pressure.