The Russians were a European nation that controlled parts of north-east Europe and northern Asia, they appear as a major civilization in Age of Empires III. In the New World (Americas), the Russians took little land, but did occupy Alaska. They placed trading posts in Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii and as far south as Fort Ross in northern California, some 50 miles north of San Francisco. In Age of Empires II the Russians appear in the Genghis Khan scenario, depicted under the Goth civilization.
The Russians start out in the game with 500 food and 100 wood for their economy and only five Settlers. The Russian Halberdiers and Musketeers train 25% faster than other civilizations. The Russians also have the Strelet, the cheapest and weakest unit in the game.
The Russians can also train infantry and Settlers in groups, this allows the Russians to train them faster, but it costs more resources to group train. There is no 'squad tax' of charging extra for bulk buying, but it means resources for the whole group are needed before training begins, instead of buying one to put in a production queue and adding more as resources increase.
The Russians also have a unique military building that replaces the Barracks called a Blockhouse, this building can train infantry units as well as defend territory such as the Outpost. This makes the Russians a tough opponent when attacking their colony. Since the Russian Barracks are also an Outpost, they can be built starting in age one, so the Russians normally have their Barracks up by the time they hit Colonial Age, making their rush very early and powerful.
In the campaign, Russia is involved twice. The Russian Ossus is the new center of the Circle, and is preparing to invade America through Canada. They are stopped by John Black, at the cost of his life. Ivan the Terrible, its ruler, is not involved, though the Russian Ossus is exactly the same civilization type as the normal in-game Russian civilization. They make a resurgence again in the Act III scenario Last City of the Inca.
Strelet Combat- (Prq. lvl 10 Home City, 3rd Strelet shipment) - all Strelets have +15%hp/attack, if you stack this with other cards (TEAM or non-TEAM) you can have powerful, very cheap units.
Strelet Horde- (Prq. all Strelet shipments, lvl 25 city) - every Blockhouse you own will run out 5 Strelets. With the max of 7 Blockhouses, this means a free 35 Strelets. Strelet hitpoints are also increased by 10%.
Boyars- (Prq. all Oprichnik shipments, lvl 25 city) - all unique units (Strelets, Cossacks and Oprichniks) get 15% hp and attack boost.
Unicorne Mortars- (Prq. all Mortar shipments) - 20% damage bonus, 50% less training time, 50% less gold cost for mortars. Your mortar (before howitzer upgrade) will cost 100w/175g, will train in half the time and do the same damage as a non-upgraded Howitzer.
Ransack- (Prq. level 25 Home City) Increases infantry siege attack by 50%.
Suvorov Reforms - (Prq. lvl. 40 Home City, Strelet Horde) Turns all Strelets into Musketeers.
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