Tarkan vs Knight [AoE2]

Tarkans have traditionally been considered situational and even a meme in serious games. They've quietly accumulated a lot of small buffs over time, though, to the point their reputation may be somewhat undeserved these days. I decided to put them to test and see how they stack up against the knight in a variety of situations..
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1:00 Castle age stats Tarkan vs Knight
2:35 Tarkan and Knight vs various units
4:03 Tarkan and Knight vs buildings
5:20 Imperial age stats Elite Tarkan vs Cavalier and Paladin
6:25 Elite Tarkan and Paladin vs ranged units
7:12 Elite Tarkan and Paladin vs buildings
9:53 My thoughts about Tarkans overall
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Patreon: / spiritofthelaw
Full intro song: • Spirit of the Law Chan...
Background music from Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com
Game: Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition, with Forgotten Empires, African Kingdoms, Rise the Rajas, and Last Khans expansions

[@Combinebobnt]

Knight: has shield Tarkan: has TORCH Tarkan gets the extra anti arrow armor

[@Dredrick]

Uhh... The fire from the torch burns the arrow? Yea lets go with that.

[@1stshockarmy]

Arrows are made out of wood torches burn wood checkmate Paladins!

[@giggiobizzobappi6520]

It makes perfect sense: Tarkans: use Torch Archers: are blinded and miss the shots Just like the uruk pikemen in The two towers...

[@Real_MisterSir]

The pure confidence of Tarkans gives them extra plot armor

[@silafuyang8675]

Tarkans are better riders and can dodge arrows on horseback.

[@JJBeauregard1]

It would be cool if they gave Tarkans bonus damage vs villagers. It would be a unique bonus while fitting nicely into the theme of Huns being a nomadic raiding civ and carve out a somewhat larger niche for Tarkans as a superior raiding unit compared to Paladins.

[@EsquivadorDePala]

It'd be like the Oprichnik in AoEIII. I like it but there should have to be a trade off

[@Just_a-guy]

@@EsquivadorDePala u have lots of trade off. Less dps, mele armor and Hp

[@satyakisil9711]

If anything, Karambit Warriors should have that bonus instead.

[@MrFatalSilence]

Oh God please no. You obviously haven't been raided by tarkans if you think they need to be better at it.

[@Asterix958]

@@MrFatalSilence They are strong against buildings but halberdiers and even regular champion destroy them. Paladin at least beat champion and also can beat halberdiers before halberdiers gaining number advantage but Tarkan get wrecked by even small number of halberdiers.

[@chancesrowan]

Making the video 11:11 minutes, on 11/11? That's such a SOTL thing to do :P

[@Yerza777]

how do you guys notice this kind of stuff 0.o

[@Gloriath1]

11

[@KurtAndresKA]

I was about to comment the shame 1111 hahahaha

[@schu1324]

1111

[@SpentaofWater349]

Give this man 1111 likes

[@swimteamizzle1114]

It’s always seemed clear to me that Tarkans are designed to eat TCs in Castle Age. They’re a raiding unit, which fits thematically. Tarkans are even carrying a torch!

[@smartestmoronx19]

Somebody call Hoang

[@mrrhombus716]

The problem is they used to be so so bad, but Huns were so good that buffing their UU would have been a bit silly.

[@benjaminw3922]

Yep, I always used Tarkans as fast/light siege units, rather than a cavalry line troop.

[@Combinebobnt]

remember that Hoang started off with huns, perhaps that's where he got his appetite from...

[@camellivesmatter]

I sense a Hun overview remaster coming.

[@oscarf2840]

I wish he would do a new huns overview

[@ahmetsaidgurdal4223]

Top 5 civs remaster could be awesome (like top 5 cavalry or archer etc.)

[@ahmetsaidgurdal4223]

@Emperor AlHasan Teutons' cavalry, Saracens' archer, Tatars and Cumans' Cavalry archers, Bulgarian's infantry and other changes. I think the changes are a lot:)

[@SarudeDanstorm]

I've always considered Tarkans the equivalent to highly mobile rams. I'm certain the devs had in mind for them to be city-razers, not combat units.

[@chaoticposting4591]

Agreed, I used Tarkans against multiple single units as multiple horses. Quite didn't work out but the Tarkan DPS fared well against Castles and other Defensive buildings.

[@Septimus_ii]

I'm not sure they're quite strong enough against buildings to justify building them at the moment, especially non-fortification buildings

[@Real_MisterSir]

Yep definitely. I think the only reason they are somewhat comparable to knights, is simply so that you could hold your own vs enemy cavalry instead of having to make a split army of your own just to compensate for going with Tarkans. Historically it's also more accurate to see them as a raiding unit that would pillage and burn the enemy town and quickly move on to the next before anyone could ever send a message for help or warning. That's how they got their vast empire.

[@Vordikk]

Why didnt they made Tarkans stealing resourses from enemy buildings then. Maybe not even Gold as this is a bit too mainstream but Food.

[@MrSamulai]

Castle: *is designed and built specifically to protect against mounted raiders with torches* Tarkans: hi

[@MasterSonicKnight]

I love how the entire video he was comparing Tarkans to Knights (which is the main point of the video) and then suddenly *Huskarls*

[@nilsp9426]

tldr: Tarkan: fight your opponents base Knight: fight most units (in the field)

[@Igor369]

So basically what we expect from a dude on a horse with a torch.

[@Gnurklesquimp]

Them being an almost-kinda-knight at the same time basically just means you can get a whole lot more of them without being too one-trick leaning, some extra versatility can make a huge difference in complex engagements.

[@MrMrphelps]

Seeing Huskarls just eat through arbalests like they're nothing always gives me a giggle

[@AgeofNoob]

I hope I am not making a mistake, but for now, WE RIDE WITH THE HUNS!

[@tomaszsmol3920]

Keep in mind, Bleda will lead us to ruin

[@AgeofNoob]

@@tomaszsmol3920 It would be a shame if there is an accident with a boar...

[@KeyboardistHossie]

@@AgeofNoob It was an ambush! Bleda tried to kill Attila! He is not fit to rule!

[@shahirmabsur]

"why were the archers hiding in the forest?"

[@AgeofNoob]

I see a lot of men of culture here. Faith in humanity restored.

[@hansoskar1911]

you made an error at 6:00 when you compare upgrade times of Knights to Paladins and Tarkans. since you compare Huns Cav you must add the faster working Stables.

[@SpiritOfTheLaw]

Good point. Should be more like a 3 min difference. Nice catch.

[@antman9049]

@@SpiritOfTheLaw you don’t make mistakes just happy accidents

[@JSTM2000]

Plumed archer is the only archer Tarkans shine against since they're the only archer that caps out at 9 damage (perfect for Tarkans 8 Pierce armor). Very situational, but yeah Tarkans feel situational in general.

[@theincrediblefew3645]

Love this kind of content. It gives new players like me insight on the Civs I don't play often.

[@michaeltaylor8698]

This is why I wish the Huns would get Steppe Lancers. It makes sense for them from a historical perspective, since the Huns are a nomadic raiding culture originating from central Asia, and Steppe Lancers would be the perfect melee compliment to Tarkans. Tarkans are archer resistant and great against buildings, while Steppe Lancers could use their +1 range to attack from behind the Tarkans. I think it would be fine from a balance perspective as well, since having Steppe Lancers doesn't address any of the Huns biggest weaknesses, like their vulnerability to camel civs or their very weak late game siege. In Castle Age people always go for Knights over Steppe Lancers already, so no change there, and in Imperial Age Elite Tarkans + Steppe Lancers could be an fun alterative to Paladins. Also, its very unlikely that a player will be able to afford Elite Tarkans, Heavy Cavalry Archers, Elite Steppe Lancers, and Paladins all in one game (outside of very long team games) so going for Tarkans + Steppe Lancers vs going for Paladins would be a choice you would have to commit to in most cases. I just wish Tarkans would see more use since I think they are a cool unique unit but right now Paladins just seems to be hands down the better play in most games.

[@joaquinriosrodriguez7316]

I loved this. I hope SotL takes a look at this comment.

[@gabrielmelnik6796]

Just go for knights lol

[@renzoraschioni3886]

I wonder why Huns are in AoE2 even if they belongs to the ancient world. It makes much more sense they were in AoE1. Even their campaign is set way before the date of 476 AD, which set the end of ancient era and the beginning of middle ages. At least, we wouldn't have West Rome represented by Byzantines in that campaign.

[@michaeltaylor8698]

@@renzoraschioni3886 Age 1 is set BCE. The Huns appear way too late to be relevant to Age 1. The Huns don't belong in a game with civs like the ancient Egyptians and Carthaginians. They belong in the common era and are a better fit for Age 2.

[@michaeltaylor8698]

@@gabrielmelnik6796 You mean like the Persians, Magyars, Spanish, Franks, Lithuanians, and Teutons? God forbid we have a bit more variety in this game...

[@glennalting9992]

what a birthday gift , my fav underrated unit no less, thanks for making it

[@giorgiarutinovi4677]

Man, your voice is so chill. I've been listening to your videos and eventually falling asleep for like half an a year lol.

[@antthegord9411]

Thank you by the way, Spirit of the Law, for keeping a steady stream of content going. I hope it's not taking too heavy of a toll. My house recently burned and my computer was in it and was destroyed so I'm unable to play AoE2:DE at this time. videos like this keep me going but more importantly, keep me informed so I never miss things going on in the game. 'ppreciate it my dude.

[@fernandoduarte4143]

Oh my... I’ve waited for this video for a long time! Greetings from Brazil

[@kauske]

Back in the day you'd always argue about exactly what the Tarkan's weapon was due to the janky graphics. Is it a burning torch? A flail? A cat of nine tails? No one could agree entirely.

[@Chraan]

No? I never had any doubts it would be a torch, especially with the sparks coming out with every hit

[@kauske]

@@Chraan I'm talking about the original low-resolution game, where it only animated on attacking buildings and was so small you can't really make out what it is at all.

[@zillow7287]

Yeah, it was always rather confusing with the old graphics. I figured it out by looking up the basis for the unit to settle exactly what it was hitting buildings with.

[@hilabon6829]

@@Chraan Ok, good for you, you must have had a huge monitor, because the rest of us back in 1999 had trouble making out a blob of pixels...

[@Chraan]

@@kauske I can't agree on that. I remember that I had trouble with some other units, but the torch was really distinctive. Also you are wrong that it only animated on buildings, the sparks showed up attacking all units as well.

[@daledo8604]

What a nice segue into the ram comparison.

[@yoyodude-aoe2726]

Wanted this for too long. Thank you Spirit of the Law.

[@gabrielsarayli8350]

Super excellent vidéo once again

[@fernandocastaneda1138]

Thank you for the important analisis

[@alian6965]

I love your work

[@pabloperez4389]

I forgot this unit existed tbh. I never play huns. Btw. You have the best intro music ever

[@nikhilsrinivas709]

Ahhh... the music, much love

[@jcpkill1175]

The tarkan should be regarded as the "super hussar" Its a better meatshield than hussar, its got better damage. But like the hussar it cant out-perform the raw power of the paladin. Its role in the hunnic army is a mix of hussar + siege in one unit. Though I would say its a better option if its an option for someone since they are kinda like faster but less powerful rams with hussar built-in.

[@gregor9921]

Hey spirit One thing you didn't consider here which i was also missing in the stirrups video, a comparison with equal costs actually factoring in the Paladin cost, since especially in 1v1s, that's a huuge investment, so "How well would x amount of Paladin do against y amount of Elite Tarkans (or Stirrups Chevalier) when you have same res for the units themselves AND the upgrade cost combined", maybe you could add that in case you do a similar video on Farimba or other techs of that kind :D

[@nicholasscarsdale1608]

Spirit actually made a video about exactly this (see "is the paladin upgrade worth it", pt. 1 and 2). The conclusion was basically that if you're not making at least 40ish units in the knight line, the paladin upgrade is not worth it (so 20 paladins vs 20+(paladin upgrade cost worth) of cavaliers, the paladins lose).

[@gregor9921]

@@nicholasscarsdale1608 that video was only about generic paladin compared to generic chevaliers, not about stirrups, tarkans, maybe farimba or other unique techs/units

[@asjoowjcs9858]

Doing a mechanic video of a unit right before the big patch that the devs have been teasing? Quite bold, staying true to your words in the Keshik video I see

[@bensmith426]

Do video on Bulgarian post imperial swordsmen pls. How does it compare to other infantry unites?

[@zachwayt3874]

i like to mix in ~1/5 tarkans when playing knights with huns. keep them on a separate control group and prioritize towers and such with them and its really nice. kinda falls apart in imp though because you really have to choose one to upgrade then

[@oscarf2840]

I really hope you will do a remake of Huns overview. I was waiting that video for a long time.

[@thessop9439]

The chad Tarkan vs the Virgin Knight

[@DommHavai]

Chad Tarkan >too badass to wear armor >still tanks more arrows >sets buildings on fire using torch, just like it's supposed to be >has refined taste in architecture and doesn't enjoy destroying fully upgraded buildings

[@c1xcx]

@@DommHavai i lost it at the last one

[@bigbroarivus]

@@DommHavai >destroy stone fortification cause real men didn't hide in building

[@manolgeorgiev9664]

@@bigbroarivus lol so true

[@namvo3013]

Virgin knight fight with sword, the most boring weapon, chad tarkan's burning stick destroy archer and castle alike

[@Gautamdange]

Mounted Battering Ram :D nice one

[@emlynhoyt]

In pro games the research time is a massive factor. In a scenario where you are against franks going cav and you get to imp at the same time with the same numbers you just completely destroy. Cav civs are most vulnerable right after reaching imp when researching upgrades but this is less true for huns which often get to elite tarken before a different cav civ gets cavillier

[@lostfan10000]

Funny how this video comes out as I'm playing through the Hun campaign on DE. That campaign really shows the situations where they shine. When you need to perform quick raids to disrupt your enemy's eco or when you need to mass a force as fast as possible when your opponent already has large fortifications. Tarkans blow the West Romans out of the water every time I mixed them in with Knights and Horse Archers.

[@AJK_227]

How would castles with hoardings affect this? (I think that's what the castle tech that gives more HP is called)

[@lucasshulman54]

Nice vid! It would be a shame if update comes tomorrow and buffs tarkans..

[@erwinwendler4621]

Sooo the comparison is exactly what the game states: tarkans beeing antibuilding and paladins vs melee. Still fun video 👌

[@fletcher8123]

Hey, Spirit of the Law! Any chance you will release a CBA playthrough or video like you have with Roll the Dice or Jurassic Park? I've been playing CBA since the earliest maps on HD in 2013. With the release of DE, there hasn't been much publicity, and as such, good maps and scripting have been missing. DE is certainly the better platform to play on but without good maps or balancing, the community won't move to DE. I would hope that more publicity/interest would build a stronger community that isn't divided between the two platforms and allow map scripters a chance to showcase their work. Thanks for all the content! I watch every video!

[@ambm9808]

I used them for sniping in regicide games. Basically I spam a bunch of them, research spies, and target them directly on the castle their king is in. The plan relies on their advantage against buildings to get through walls and destroy the castle before they are all killed and their speed to just blitz through everything. You have to accept a decent amount of casualties but it can very quickly take our powerful opponents without needing to face most of their army. Of course I mainly play against computers so not sure how it work against people.

[@bartelvandervelden9894]

FINALLY! CBA BEING MENTIONED IN A BIG AOE2 CHANNEL!

[@sliceofbread2611]

what is cba?

[@bartelvandervelden9894]

@@sliceofbread2611 it's a 4v4 scenario in which each player has to defend their 4 castles. You automatically produce your (elite)UU untill you got 60. You age up by getting a certain amount of kills, which depends on each civ. Most civs start at feudal age, but some in castle age. You get vils by razing a certain amount of buildings, which usually is in the range of 1-4, although you need 7 to get vils with huns, because tarkans are amazing at getting razes. When you get vils, it's common to start with building 2 walls, the first one to protect your castles, the second to protect your gates at the front. After that, you start building military production buildings to start spamming the preferred unit(s), usually arbs, hca's, eagles, or cavaliers/paladins, sometimes camels, it depends a bit on your tech tree and your matchups (don't make archers against goths for example). You only should start the spam with castle age units, and you can't build eles (depends a bit on the version), mangonels, scorps and everything from your castle. You can't build castles and bbt's as well. It's impossible to get res, but you got practically infinite res at the start. It's very popular, got even it's own varieties and combines quite well with 3×/6×/9× tech

[@sliceofbread2611]

@@bartelvandervelden9894 ah, bedankt, sounds pretty crazy.

[@bartelvandervelden9894]

@@sliceofbread2611 it is, and ~90% of my total playtime comes from cba

[@sliceofbread2611]

@@bartelvandervelden9894 i have been thinking of a gamemode similar to this, to make it a bit more like mount and blade.. but the scenario editor was so before DE with all the triggers and such, so i never tried.. i dont know if the trigger editing changed in DE, i should have a look. i did make a map once where one player has to invade an island and destroying certain buildings in villages on the island would give certain resources to allow reinforcements to be created.. but nobody really wanted to play/test it with me so it never got anywhere.

[@rubz1390]

Somehow the guy with plated armour and a shield is more vulnerable to arrows than guy in leather armor that just holding a burning stick.

[@jordanc6564]

Would you consider doing a video of Eagles vs a variety of units, namely cavalry units through the ages? Scout line and knight line

[@pierre-mariecaulliez6285]

Takes 85/170 arrows to kill... "Sir, we're under attack !! ... By... Hedgehogs..?

[@----t----1234]

Highly mobile “light siege” is basically how I think of the Tarkan and they are extremely useful for that. Underrated

[@adrianakuzmikova1697]

what is the maximum number of villagers building 1 structure to still get speed bonus?

[@instrumedly4350]

the OP's back humanity restored

[@CynicallyYours]

I just got the DE and Tarkans during the Attila's campaign are my go to unit, they eat town centers and castle's so fast. They really improved them and I'm really glad my fav unit got better

[@ingoseiler]

Man, I really would have needed this video 4 hours ago, when I watched in horror a small group of Tarkans take down my castles!

[@Kawabongahlive]

Late halloween event in your town.

[@jehovasabettor9080]

Hey, Spirit of the Law, did you play Knights and Merchants back in the day? You seem to be the type

[@Alias_Anybody]

Wasn't the whole "basically a cavalry-ram" pretty well known since the original conquerors? As far as I remember the bonus-damage against buildings was there from the start. Basically, you keep the enemy paladins busy with some trash (the huns have halberds and elite skirms) while tearing down town centers, towers and castles.

[@Real_MisterSir]

Yea I never knew anyone actually questioned the use for Tarkans. Pillage and burn is their strength, running around in enemy eco, killing and sacking buildings, while disregarding arrowfire and outpacing pikemen.. So difficult to get rid of. Not meant as a main battlefield unit.

[@schmitty8225]

Yeah, I've been using them for that for 20 years lol.

[@robincray116]

I think the problem is that people don't really appreciate the tactic of Eco raiding as much as they appreciate frontline battles. Hence they assess tarkan abilities as a frontline unit first and as a raider later. Their missing out. TC sniping with tarkans is one of the most fun tactics in the game.

[@Alias_Anybody]

@@robincray116 In AoE3 it's even more infuriating because pikemen (cheapest throwaway unit of them all) have an anti-building bonus and a single batch can destroy unprotected trading outposts in a reasonable amount of time - you may not notice if you are currently defending your base.

[@Chraan]

You are 100% right. That was my only use for them. And they were really efficient at that too. Perfect with the overall strategy of Huns relying heavily on cavalry to use siege units as fast as cavalry.

[@prajwalkpbhat8998]

Could you compare the knight line to cavalry unique units? (not camels)

[@aminghasemi2621]

knight line will always win. except for boyars.

[@prajwalkpbhat8998]

@@aminghasemi2621 konniks and leitis can as well

[@gosphor2826]

@@aminghasemi2621 also War elephant, Leitis and Konnik

[@nicolinrucker5181]

@@aminghasemi2621 Cataphracts, fool.

[@barnabassomfalvi6485]

@@nicolinrucker5181lol the knights always beat the cataprachts. The knight line has more armor, higher attack, more hp. A generic paladin has 30 more hp amd 4 more attack.

[@SamSGLM]

since conquerors i saw tarkans as siege cavalary. they are just fast building destroyers for hit and run. and the purpose of the extra pierce armor (even if astetic wise doesnt make sense) is so they can tank towers tc and castle better as they hit and run. while most siege is clunky and sometimes doesnt deal good damage to military (looking at you ram) that was the niche tarkans fufilled

[@thelightningbolt9]

When I hear the intro, I know I'm home.

[@TheKobasen]

Does that means the new Huns civ overview is on the making?

[@Tiberious_Of_Elona]

Love you Spirit.

[@Gigas0101]

Is this the third "unique unit VS generally superior standard unit" video? Are we getting a series?

[@richardistvanthier5620]

A too-much under-rated unit: people seem to look weird when I say I like Huns on black forest: Good cav archers take out all trade carts and good tarkans take out all markets! You cannot bring rams and trebs to take out markets - or if you can, you already won the game anyways. Most people tend to do paladins to kill markets, but tarkans are just must more effective and also effective to ttake out shallow walls they might put up fast... On open maps I like to send tarkans to attack houses to house the enemy. Mobile anti-building force :-)

[@TheWilldrick]

is that simcity 3000 music in the background at around 9:40?

[@ExcelonTheFourthAvalonHeirs]

You simply don't skip the intro when watching SoTL. It's fact

[@PeferG17]

*Guitar music intensifies*

[@thessop9439]

Villager with *supremacy*

[@thessop9439]

Goth game *plan*

[@arshiaaghaei]

Reminded me of the "one does not simply" meme

[@opm3193]

I did sorry

[@wolfgangbr1576]

Can huns do anything vs archers? Yes, they tarCAN! #dadjokeoftheday

[@legion2590]

The exit is behind you and just to the left.

[@wolfgangbr1576]

@@legion2590 don't sent me. It's dark out. Sending someone out during knight is very harsh of you.

[@ReshyShira]

Honestly what I think holds Tarkans back is their high gold cost relative to their performance. If it was reduced a little further I think it'd be a more useful unit as it'd also have the option to act as a middle-line calvary between Paladins and Hussars.

[@jeremysalkeld8742]

6:00 Surely it's worth also accounting for the Cavalier upgrade, which is IIRC 300F 300G and 100s, so it takes 1900F 1350G and 370s (6:10) to upgrade Knights to Paladins, which depending on how you value gold is 2-3x the cost and 4x the time?

[@bademume449]

Huns - Getting the Flammwerfer before it was cool

[@Sliverappl]

I guess that make sense. if your weapon is burning torch, you probably do pretty well against building in comparison to someone with a sword.

[@JonathanArcher100]

What about comparing Tarkans with Rams instead of the Cavalry line? I think that such comparison could make sense and be interesting to watch

[@IamNumber4242]

anyone know where I can find the music starting at 4:15 ?? It's so good!

[@kilercola]

Found it, its called Booty and Kings kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4CkfmxrhLGWaaM

[@ChocolateMilkCultLeader]

Makes a vid about Tarkans. Compares them to Rams. Never change

[@sebazpereyra9431]

When will you do knight vs Cathapract?

[@diosn6909]

Spirit, Tarkans can be created at Stables with the Castle Age Unique Tech of the Huns (Marauders?).

[@XyntXII]

I think one interesting comparison would be a typical situation in castle age 2v2 knight + xbow against then tarkan + xbow

[@davo9407]

that cba footage gave me flashbacks. is there an active cba community in aoe2de? i feel like it would be so fun with all the new civs, but i’m not even sure where to look.

[@asawanted]

I thought I would see you in aoe champions league either casting with t90 or playing against Hera and co.

[@Gyrant]

I normally start with a small scout rush, then Knights and Cav Archers in Castle age until I can get a castle up and research Marauders. Then I stick with Tarkans through Imperial Age because I figure buying more Cav Archers with the gold I save on Tarkans over Knight line (and their upgrades) offsets the difference in performance. Once I have Tarkans and Cav Archers fully upgraded I go for the Hussar upgrade as well, so whatever surplus food I have after blowing all my gold on CA and Tarkans goes into Hussars. Basically the only thing I have to worry about is heavy cavalry or camels forcing a direct engagement, and if my opponent can afford to do that I clearly am not using my army properly given it's basically purpose-built for eco raiding.

[@Joker-yw9hl]

Tarkans in my mind are like the Oprichniks of AOE2

[@leandrososacastillo7856]

Can you compare the tarcan whit a persian knigth?

[@Gnurklesquimp]

A mobile anti-building unit seems like a lot of raiding potential to me. I love using cavalry archers, but while rams/trebs are also among my very favorite units (I have a thing for disruption I guess), both have huge issues in that hit-and-run type of engagement where you aren't controlling ground in range of a good attack launch that requires more commitment. The fact they then also hold up decently in some other respects seems to make them a pretty balanced unit to me, even some flashy game-winning sudden blitzkrieg potential. I also just love raiders, they generate value throughout the game, get out mostly unscathed, can add to your defenses, and are there again for big fights.

[@micahpatches3430]

can you cover the little mvp flag on the stats page when a game ends?

[@GreyWind1988]

I like the bulk of my fighting force to be knights for securing positions on the map and such, but I like to keep a few tarkans in my back pocket for raiding exclusively.

[@Real_MisterSir]

One factor to also consider vs archers, is that Tarkans may have a greater benefit vs hit-and-run tactics. When you are not in all out wars, the player with archers will often try to micro them around and try to put distance between the archers and the cavalry. Here the Tarkans will be able to withstand more arrows, so they more easily can close the distance even when the archers keep pulling back again and again, whereas the Knights might fall too quickly to offer much meaningful damage. Then again I never saw Tarkans as direct anti archer versions of the Knight - more so a raiding version of the Knight which can more comfortably run under TC and tower fire while raiding eco and putting preassure on buildings as well, especially early on where 2+2 knights are considered a big deal, tarkans will naturally be even more difficult to deal with if you have xbows and quickwalls / house walls etc.

[@NickkTran]

I always thought the Tarkan dude was holding the Olympic torch as a kid

[@Mister_Merb]

Snippy needs to try the Tarkan + Cav Archer combo for deadly fast snipes.

[@iamgamerfun4032]

I think tarkans are great to go with knights as they do bonus damage to buildings. I like to use them to damage watch towers and castles while knights take care units. Considering they are calvary they can maneuver around arrows from towers and such.

[@carbon89]

A civ whose castle shoots in multiple directions simultaenously would be interesting.

[@Hellblazer1o2]

Can you do top 5 monk civs

[@CrnaStrela]

1. Aztecs

[@ameyadeshpande9650]

Monke civilization

[@Salnax]

Aztecs, Spanish, Teutons, Burmese, and then Saracens, ranked from #1 to #5. Aztecs are an obvious #1 with their HP bonus, and get extra credit for getting more gold from relics. Spanish monks can convert better with Inquisition, and they also get credit for the Missonary. Teutons can heal from twice the normal distance. Burmese are missing one Monastery tech, but the rest are 50% cheaper. And Saracens have a full tech tree Madrasah to get some of your Monk gold back if they are killed. Honorable Mentions: Byzantines, Lithuanians, Malians, Portuguese, Slavs

[@Salnax]

@Emperor AlHasan This is a matter of philosophy. If Monks are meant to largely be healers, then Byzantine monks are the best. I however view healing as something Monks can do when recharging from conversions, and thus worth a lot less weight.

[@DanielFriscia]

Lost it at the Boromir reference!

[@jameshausler5259]

Going way back, I always considered them anti-building (Fortifications) cavalry. Not a good choice against other mounted units and infantry.

[@facundollamosas8208]

I was just going throught the Huns campaign, cool

[@danielah3398]

Are the Tarkans as unpopular of an UU as the Throwing Axeman?

[@s-dragonxiii1021]

What is the name of background music starting at 3:49?

[@s-dragonxiii1021]

@@paritoast_ Thanks :)

[@jay2thedub]

I have always regarded and used Tarkens as siege unites and it works out fine for me.

[@joshrobbinsditto3055]

what about the no 'attack notification' when tarkin's are attacking your base? that's a pretty good bonus

[@LuxiBelle]

Does this mean we are getting a new Huns civ overview

[@user-fw9rk1qz5z]

That is all good and enlightening. But the main question still stands - why on earth do Huns have paladins?

[@zitaowang6540]

I just wanna know why is there no attack sound for tarkan

[@LazyTacoProductions]

the architecture icon looks like a nightmare i had 7:33

[@realerobin]

video released on 11/11, duration 11:11 I love this

[@leopoldkoppen9081]

This will be my new Arena Civ now. Just get to around 12 Tarkans as quickly as possible and attack.