Sumerian Troops: Strategy and Gameplay in Age of Empires

Known for their durability, Sumerian villagers boast an impressive 40 health points (compared to the standard 25), posing a significant challenge to opposing units like scout cavalry...

Furthermore, Sumerian troops have numerous other advantages. Learn about their strengths, weaknesses, and Age of Empires gameplay tactics when commanding Sumerian forces.

Playing and Mastering Different Unit Types in Age of Empires

* Shang Units in Age of Empires
* Assyrian Units in Age of Empires
* Babylonian Units in Age of Empires
* Carthaginian Units in Age of Empires
* Choson Units in Age of Empires
* Egyptian Units in Age of Empires
* Greek Units in Age of Empires
* Hittite Units in Age of Empires
* Macedonian Units in Age of Empires
* Minoan Units in Age of Empires
* Palmyran Units in Age of Empires
* Persian Units in Age of Empires
* Phoenician Units in Age of Empires
* Roman Units in Age of Empires
* Yamato Units in Age of Empires

Strengths of Sumerian Units

- Sumerian villagers have 60% more health compared to other civilizations. (40 compared to 25)
- Sumerian Ballistae shoot 50% faster. They can fully upgrade technology and achieve devastating firepower in age 4.
- They have access to Horse, Chariot Archer, and War Elephant units.
- Unique abilities include headhunting, interception, and arson.

Weaknesses of Sumerian Units

- Unable to upgrade to Divine Horse (Attack only 0+4, Range 7+2)
- Lack of Woodcutting upgrade +3
- Absence of Archer A, War Elephant, Horse Archer, Ballista, Camel Rider.

Experience Playing with Sumerian Units

Starting Strategies

- Send 2 villagers to build a BE house, while 1 villager searches for berries.
- Once berries are found, immediately assign 6 villagers to gather them.
- Villager 6/8 continues building BE, villager 7 goes to gather berries.
- After BE house is complete, villager 6 scouts the map. Villagers 8 and 9 chop wood. Villagers 10-12 build BE houses.
- Strive for villagers 14-15 to construct BS for wood gathering.
- Focus on wood gathering and build around 2 BS in age 1 (feudal age) for aggressive play. Increase to 3 BS if going for archers.
- Upon reaching age 3, allocate 6 villagers to gather Gold. Alternatively, focus on wood and build 7~8 farms if going for archers.
- Build 2 BL if aiming for early aggression.
- If housing is secure, consider building 4 BA for archers when going for ranged units.

Standard Attack Strategies Depending on Unit Choices

+ Aggression with Chariots or Priests.
Number of villagers needed to advance: Typically 23 to 26 villagers depending on the situation (wealthier players may require fewer villagers and can advance by sacrificing BL buildings near enemy structures).
- Age 2: While advancing to age 3, prioritize upgrading Gold mining at the BM building and assign 5 villagers to mine Gold (if resources allow, otherwise assign 6 villagers).
- Age 3:
Build 2 BL. Consider building 1 defensive BL and 1 BP to counter various Gold units.
Upgrade attack: If advancing ahead of the opponent.
Upgrade armor: If encountering early aggression.
Upgrade attack + 4 and armor + 4 when feasible.
Build additional BL and BP when surplus Wood, Food, and Gold are available.
Upgrade Wheel to utilize additional ranged and single-line units.
Upgrade health.
- Age 4: To maintain mobility and gain an advantage over opponents, focus on building multiple BA buildings during the transition to age 4. Upon reaching age 4, upgrade Intercept, Ignition, and swiftly produce Horse units and upgrade Horse C units at the BA building.
After establishing a positional advantage, consider transitioning to use Ballistae and Double Armors.
+ Archery (Ranged):
Number of villagers needed to advance: Typically 24 or 27 villagers depending on the situation (wealthier players may require fewer villagers and can advance by sacrificing BA buildings near enemy structures).
- Age 2: While advancing to age 3, prioritize Wood chopping (BM building, stone axe icon).
- Age 3:
Build 4 or 5 BA buildings, depending on your Wood reserves. Balance Wood and Food resources.
Construct a BC building and mine 120 Gold > Upgrade health (if resources allow).
Upgrade armor: If encountering early aggression (arrow symbol).
Upgrade chopping 2 for increased ranged attack, and gather more Wood.
- Age 4: Flexibly employ various units such as Horse C, Double Armors, and Ballistae depending on the situation.
+ In many Random matches as Sumerian, players can opt to build BL buildings to utilize Camels or construct BP buildings to defend against Witch units early on. Later, transition to Wheel for using ranged units.
Another Sumerian strategy is to rush Archery (Ranged). Seal the base and build around 4 BA buildings, then consistently produce units for 3-4 turns to defend the base against enemy attacks. Remember to upgrade armor for ranged units.
The advantage of Sumerian villagers lies in their high health, making them resistant to early Lion encounters in age 1. In age 3 battles, they are less susceptible to mass casualties from opponents.

Conclusion:

When playing with Sumerian units, players should still opt for the strategy of walling the base and advancing to archery (Ranged) if the base layout is favorable. For unfavorable base layouts, consider the option of playing nomad-style and utilizing Camel units.

Various Game Modes/Matches with Sumerian Units
- Solo Random, 2v2 Team, 3v3 Team, 4v4 Team.