Airborne units are units that are capable of flying of hovering in the air. They appear in Age of Mythology and Age of Empires III, and they are the third type of units there after land units and ships. Flying units are much more rarely seen, and it is by no means certain any will appear in a given game. The main advantage of flying units is that they are not constrained by any obstacles on the map. They can fly over land, sea, rocks, forests, cliffs, and walls, exploring every corner of the map. Additionally, they can only be attacked by ranged units (including, in some cases, other flying units).
In Age of Empires and Age of Empires II, the only flying units to appear are the occasional birds added for atmosphere. They are purely ornamental and cannot be interacted with in any way.
Age of Empires[]
Other than birds, there is also the Flying Dutchman cheat unit in Age of Empires, which, though called a flying unit, can still be attacked by melee units. The game also features the decorative cheat unit Dragon.
Age of Empires II[]
Like its prequel, all flying units i.e. the birds and the cheat units Stormy Dog and Sharkatzor are purely decorative.
Age of Mythology[]
In Age of Mythology, the concept of flying units is most developed. There is a total of 8 airborne myth units available in random map scenarios, an additional campaign exclusive unit, and one cheat unit.
Nature[]
Eagle
Harpy- Hawk
Parrot- Vulture
Myth units[]
Campaign-exclusive[]
- Servant of Kronos (Kronny Flying)
Scenario Editor-exclusive[]
Cheat units[]
Greeks[]
The Greeks only have the Pegasus, a scout trainable for all three major gods, from the Temple in the Archaic Age. The Pegasus can be obtained as a respawning unit by all Civilizations with the Relic Bridle Of Pegasus.
Egyptians[]
The Egyptians have the Roc, a large flying unit that cannot attack, but instead can transport units, taking them over water, cliffs, and enemy walls. It is trainable by Ra and Isis through the worship of Hathor.
They also have the Phoenix, a battle unit that breathes fire, and can respawn from an egg if killed, trainable by Isis and Set through the worship of Thoth.
Norse[]
The Norse have two units, the Raven (Odin only), a respawning scout unit that cannot attack, and the Nidhogg, a powerful dragon, that can be summoned by Hel's god power, available only to Loki. The Nidhogg is the strongest regular flying unit in the game by far.
Atlanteans[]
The Atlanteans have the Caladria, a flying healer that cannot attack, available through the worship of Oceanus in the Classical Age as Oranos or Gaia.
There is also the Stymphalian Bird, a flying bird that shoots bronze feathers at foes, available for Oranos and Gaia as well, through the worship of Theia in the Heroic Age.
Chinese[]
The Chinese have a single flying unit, the Vermilion Bird, available through Chongli, who in turn is only available to Fu Xi and Nü Wa.
Other[]
A flying version of Servant of Kronos appears in campaign cinematics. If the WUV WOO Cheat Code is used, the player obtains the Flying Purple Hippo cheat unit. Finally, there are 4 flying bird units and the Harpy which the player has very little interactions with.
Age of Empires III[]
Only two flying units appear in Age of Empires III, both exclusive scouts: the Hot Air Balloon and the Advanced Hot Air Balloon. The ability to create them is obtained from a Home City Card in the Commerce Age for all European civilizations. It grants the Explorer the ability to set a hot air balloon anywhere on the map, where it can explore until it dies. The Advanced Hot Air Balloon is a single-use unit, available with one per game, that does not die after some time. These balloons can only be killed through direct targeting of them, meaning AI players cannot take them down.
Age of Empires IV[]
Other than gaia birds, the game also features a falcon summoned by one of the special abilities of the Khan.