One of the new civilizations released in “The Last Khans” was the Lithuanians, an interesting civilization to say the least, and threatening when played to their strengths. Right off the bat, Lithuanians 9 times out of 10 want a post-imperial army composition of paladin’s with +4 attack due to relics combined with speedy skirmishers, that benefit from extra pierce armor from a unique tech “tower shields”. This civilization, while best played towards the late game, does have the capacity to stall out their game until then due to their defensive capabilities. Although, that being said, they can get quite ahead due to the +100 food, which can result in earlier up-times and more aggression. As the Lithuanians, you are often setting the pace.
CIVILIZATION BONUSES
- Start with an additional 100 food, and obtain 100 food per town center.
- Spearmen and Skirmisher line movement speed increased by 10%.
- Knight-line and Leitis benefit from an additional attack for each relic stored in the monastery (capped at 4 additional attack).
TEAM BONUS
- Monastery works 20% faster.
UNIQUE UNIT
- Leitis (Heavy cavalry unit that negates melee armor when attacking).
UNIQUE TECHNOLOGIES
- Hill Forts – Town Centers receive an additional 3 range.
- Tower Shields – Spearmen and Skirmisher line receive an additional 2 pierce armor.
STRATEGY
Lithuanians are threatening, whether on open or closed maps, hybrid or even water maps. They thrive when when given the chance to boom and collect relics. Although they are played preferably in the late game, they have a lot going for them in the early game due to a bonus 150 food, which assists in aggression or in playing defensively. This extra food can allow aggression in the form of a 19 population scout rush, or with the fastest drush in the game. Hera (professional Age of Empires 2 player) shares this drush build order with Spirit of the Law in the following video.
Lithuanians have a superior defensive ability in the mid-game. Their trash moves faster, their Leitis is cheap and ignores armor, their monasteries work faster, allowing for monk defence and they become even more defensive when Hill Forts is researched, as they then benefit from additional range at their town center. Lithuanians gain a power spike upon collecting relics, as their cavalry become oppressive with the extra attack.
WEAKNESS
Lithuanians struggle to keep up with civilizations such as Aztecs, Vikings, Celts or Khmer; their only economic bonus of the additional food does not lend to a healthier economy, but rather to the ability to deal damage and snowball a lead. As a result, if Lithuanians are trying to take relics and boom towards their post-imperial strength, they will always be at a disadvantage to strong economic civilizations. Without access to at least two relics, Lithuanians struggle to field any strong options. In this scenario, Leitis are a better choice than Paladin, as they are cheaper to field and to mass, unless it is difficult to create the castles for production purposes.
Have you got some thoughts about how else Lithuanians can be played? Let us know; shoot us a comment!
