Civ Overview - Tamils feature - Dharma Expansion mod for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

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The Tamils under Chola rule used their massive sea vessels to seize control of the lucrative Indian Ocean trade routes and built one of the wealthiest sea empires of the world. Their metallurgy invention of Wootz Steel, a predecessor of modern steel was used to make weapons that were stronger, deadlier, and more durable than their counterparts elsewhere.

Posted by Juggernaut8704 on Jan 26th, 2023

"Theirs is a culture that has a record of existence from the Iron Age. The chiefdoms that dotted ancient Tamilakam grew into powerful trading and conquering empires. Chief among them were the three great Mūvēndars: the Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras. Tamilakam traditionally had quite a bit of diversity in their culture, but they were all known for their naval capabilities. The Tamils under Chola rule used their massive sea vessels to seize control of the lucrative Indian Ocean trade routes and built one of the wealthiest sea empires of the world. Their metallurgy invention of Wootz Steel, a predecessor of modern steel was used to make weapons that were stronger, deadlier, and more durable than their counterparts elsewhere. The Malayan Tamils from the Keralite realm, the Cheras, practiced a unique style of martial art called Kalarippayattu, and produced a whip like sword called the Urumi that would instantly instill fear in the enemy."

Overview

The Tamils are classified as an infantry and navy civilization, and have fully upgraded infantry and Dock, with Barracks technologies at half price, while both unique units are in their main strength part. Despite this, they also have above-average ranged units with fully upgraded Arbalesters, Hand Cannonners, and faster-attacking Skirmishers and Elephant Archers. To offset them, their Stable units are lacking, with only Light Cavalry and (non-Elite) Battle Elephants as their Stable choices, with no other Stable technologies or Plate Barding Armor. Although Wootz Steel and Medical Corps slightly compensate for their Stable, it is more useful for the elephant units and infantry. Lacking Stable technologies is a hinderance for their elephants. Outside of the Siege Elephant, their siege weapons are relatively average, with Bombard Cannons and Siege Onagers without Siege Engineers as their only reliable siege units. Their Monks are also underwhelming, as they lack Redemption and Fervor, which not only makes them less functional, but it is also harder to collect Relics. They also lack Heresy, so their elephants are vulnerable to conversion, combined with no Husbandry. Defense is average, without Architecture and Treadmill Crane. Their economy is good at wood and fishing, thanks to getting wood when advancing ages, and carrying more from fishing. Apart from this, their economy is weak, since both Castle Age mining technologies and Crop Rotation are absent.