How to Counter Cavalry in Age of Empires 2

How to Counter Knights in Age of Empires 2

The Knight is the standard benchmark for cavalry — high HP, strong melee armor, and enough speed to raid and fight effectively. Most players who lose games are losing to Knights they didn't prepare for.

• Halberdier Hard Counter
  +32 attack bonus vs. cavalry. Two Halberdiers kill a Knight cleanly. The most cost-efficient counter in the game — Halbs cost 35 food + 25 wood and Knight costs 60 food + 75 gold.
• Heavy Camel Rider Hard Counter
  Massive attack bonus vs. cavalry. Excellent in Castle Age, especially for civs that lack Halberdiers — Saracens, Hindustanis, and Gurjaras all rely on Camels as their primary cavalry counter.
• Monk Hard Counter
  Converting a Knight is a massive resource swing. A Knight costs 140 resources; a Monk costs 100 gold. The converted Knight then fights for you. Best combined with Halberdiers so the Monk is protected while converting.
• Mameluke Hard Counter
  Saracen unique unit — ranged cavalry with a massive bonus vs. all cavalry including Knights. One of the best Knight counters in the game. Fights at range so it avoids Knights' melee damage.
• Shrivamsha Rider Soft Counter
  Gurjaras unique unit — dodges projectiles and deals bonus damage vs. cavalry. Not a melee counter but wins ranged skirmishes effectively.
• Camel Archer Soft Counter
  Berbers unique unit — mobile ranged anti-cavalry. Kites Knights while dealing bonus damage. Works well against unsupported Knights.

How to Counter Cavaliers in Age of Empires 2

Cavaliers are the Castle Age upgrade of the Knight line — more HP and attack. The same counters apply but need to be more committed since Cavaliers take more hits to bring down.

• Halberdier Hard Counter
  Still the primary counter. Needs 3–4 Halbs to take down a Cavalier efficiently, but gold cost advantage still holds strongly.
• Heavy Camel Rider Hard Counter
  Keeps pace with Cavaliers in damage output. More reliable than Halbs in open field because it can chase.
• Monk Hard Counter
  Conversion value increases with upgrades — a fully upgraded Cavalier is worth converting.
• Elite Camel Archer Soft Counter
  Berbers — ranged anti-cavalry with good kiting ability against Cavaliers.

How to Counter Paladins in Age of Empires 2

Paladins are the endgame upgrade of the Knight line — 185 HP, high armor, and a melee attack that devastates almost anything. They require your best counters. Do not fight them with infantry or archers.

• Halberdier Hard Counter
  Still the strongest counter despite Paladin's raw power. The +32 attack bonus is devastating even against 185 HP. A group of 5–6 Halbs trades very favorably against Paladins.
• Imperial Camel Rider Hard Counter
  Hindustanis exclusive — the strongest camel unit in the game. Can fight Paladins 1v1 effectively. The go-to counter for civs that can access it.
• Monk Hard Counter
  Paladins cost 200 food + 120 gold. Converting one is enormous. Halbs + Monks is the classic combo — Halbs absorb melee hits while Monks convert stragglers.
• Elite Mameluke Hard Counter
  Best ranged anti-cavalry in the game. Elite Mamelukes deal bonus damage at range and avoid Paladin's devastating melee attack.
• Obuch Soft Counter
  Polish unique unit — reduces enemy armor on hit. Combined with other units, Obuchs lower Paladin melee armor so allied units deal more damage. Synergizes extremely well with Halberdiers.

How to Counter Hussars in Age of Empires 2

Hussars are the fast, cheap raider — low gold cost, high speed, hard to pin down. They raid your economy, kill your Siege, and run when threatened. Don't fight them with foot soldiers. Match mobility with mobility or wall them out.

• Halberdier Hard Counter
  Hussars have less HP than Knights, so Halbs kill them even faster. Very cost-efficient trade. Problem: Hussars are fast — place Halbs near your Siege and economy, not in open field.
• Heavy Camel Rider Hard Counter
  Reliable counter even for Hussar raids — fast enough to respond, deals bonus cavalry damage.
• Imperial Camel Rider Hard Counter
  Overkill vs. Hussars but decisive — if you have it available, it eliminates Hussar raids completely.
• Camel Archer Soft Counter
  Mobile ranged anti-cavalry. Kites Hussars and deals bonus damage. Good for Berber players.

How to Counter Scout Cavalry and Light Cavalry

In Feudal Age, Scouts are the primary cavalry threat. They raid your sheep, kill your Deer, and harass your villagers. The counter window is tight — you need it fast.

• Spearman Hard Counter
  Attack bonus vs. cavalry in Feudal Age. Two Spearmen kill a Scout. Extremely cheap — 35 food + 25 wood. The standard Feudal response to Scout rushes.
• Pikeman Hard Counter
  Castle Age upgrade. Stronger attack bonus — handles Light Cavalry cleanly.
• Camel Rider Hard Counter
  Attack bonus vs. cavalry. Good for camel civs that want to skip the Spear line.

Which Civilizations Have the Best Cavalry Counters?

Summary — Counter Cheat Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions