Saracens

Civilization Bonuses

Unique Unit

Unique Technologies

Build Orders

Strategy Tips

In-Depth Saracens Analysis

The Saracens are a versatile cavalry and trade civilization with one of the most powerful economic tools in AoE2 — a market trading cost of only 5% instead of the standard 30%. This allows them to convert any resource into another at near face value, giving them economic flexibility that no other civilization possesses. Combined with the Mameluke unique unit and strong camel options, Saracens are an excellent civilization for players who want control over their resource allocation throughout the game.

Market Trading — The Resource Flexibility Advantage

Standard market trading costs 30% of the value being converted. If food costs 100 gold to buy 100 food at neutral rates, you actually receive 70 food for 100 gold spent. For Saracens, that same transaction costs only 5% — you receive 95 food for 100 gold. This effectively allows Saracens to redirect any over-abundant resource into whatever they need at almost 1:1 efficiency. Running low on gold in a prolonged war? Sell excess wood. Need wood for buildings? Sell food you have been stockpiling. This flexibility removes one of the biggest constraints other civilizations face in adapting their production to a changing game state.

In team games, this bonus is even stronger. The Saracens player can supply allies with resources efficiently, acting as a flexible economic hub for a team composition. A Saracen market adjacent to an ally's base can provide emergency gold, food, or wood injections at minimal loss — a genuinely impactful form of economic cooperation that most team game compositions cannot match.

The Mameluke — Ranged Camel Counter

The Mameluke is a cavalry unit that throws a blade as a ranged attack — functionally a ranged camel that deals bonus damage against cavalry. Its 3-tile range means it can attack knights and horses before they close the distance, dealing 8 damage plus camel bonus damage with each throw. Elite Mamelukes with their superior stats destroy cavalry so efficiently that they are one of the most reliable anti-cavalry units in the game for the civilizations that can field them. At 55 food and 85 gold, they are expensive compared to standard camels, but their ranged attack makes them substantially safer to use against cavalry that would otherwise run down melee camel riders.

The Bimaristan technology (Monks heal from 2x range) makes Saracen Monks substantially more effective at healing in combat, supporting Mameluke armies that take damage without forcing them to expose Monks to melee range. Combined with Counterweights (+15% Trebuchet and Mangonel attack), Saracens can field a powerful mixed army of Mamelukes, heavy siege, and monk support that is effective in late-game sieges.

Naval and Raiding Bonuses

Saracen Galleys attack 25% faster than standard Galleys — one of the most impactful naval bonuses in the game for maps with water. Combined with the Cavalry Archer +4 attack versus buildings bonus, Saracen shore raids deal disproportionate damage to villager shelters, towers, and other defensive structures. For players who enjoy raiding-focused playstyles, Saracens provide both a land raiding tool (Cavalry Archer building damage) and a naval presence that punishes opponents trying to compete on water.