AOE2 CIVILIZATION GUIDE

Franks units, counters, build orders & technologies

Browse the Franks army in AoE2: unique units, unit counter links, practical build orders and key technologies from the current Arsenal.

Franks

44 army

Practical routes supported by this civilization's current Arsenal tree. Adjust them to the map, scouting and pressure.

Franks: Feudal Scouts

This civilization does not have Bloodlines: do not budget for it.

Keep the Town Center producing; open food-heavy and place the first lumber camp before you need houses, Mill and Stable.
Aim for a Feudal click around 19–21 villagers on a normal land start; go earlier only when the map or enemy pressure demands it.
During the age-up, secure enough wood for the Stable, houses and farms; keep food income high enough for villagers plus Scouts.
Make 2–4 Scouts first. Stop adding them if they cannot deal damage or if doing so delays your Castle/economy plan.
Add Double-Bit Axe and Horse Collar when affordable; scout the enemy transition before committing to more cavalry.

Franks: Feudal Archers

Bracer is missing from this tree: plan a late-game transition instead of assuming full ranged upgrades.

Open with stable food and wood; add gold before Feudal so the first range can produce without starving villager production.
A normal baseline is a Feudal click around 20–22 villagers; adjust for map safety and enemy opening.
Build one Archery Range first. Add the second only when wood/gold income can keep both active.
Prioritize Fletching before taking a real ranged fight; keep the mass alive instead of trading it into Skirmishers.
If Crossbow/Bodkin are available, preserve the army for the Castle Age spike; otherwise use Feudal pressure to transition.

Franks: Castle → Elite Throwing Axeman

Civilization-specific Castle-unit route. Use it on safer maps or after pressure has bought enough time.

Keep Dark Age Town Center production continuous and build the economy around food first, then enough wood for required Feudal buildings.
Use the short Feudal phase to place the two Castle-Age prerequisite buildings and balance toward 800 food / 200 gold.
If the Castle is part of the plan, move villagers to stone early enough to reach 650 stone without freezing food/gold income.
On reaching Castle Age, spend immediately on the production path for Elite Throwing Axeman; do not float resources while the Castle is going up.
Scout the enemy composition before massing the unique unit; add its counter-covering support unit when needed.

Franks: defensive reset

Cheap tree-supported answers include Spearmen + Skirmishers; make only the counter that protects the resource under pressure.