Cavalry archers excel against most infantry due to their pierce damage and hit-and-run capabilities. The knight-line is a high hp, high armor and high attack unit resulting in it becoming a favourite of most beginners due to its ease-of-use.
Become an Age Insider! Their Imperial Camel, which replaces the Knight, is also notably useful. As a civilization bonus, Barracks and Stable units now receive a +1 melee armor bonus in the Castle and Imperial Age (+2 total). And very few games have been played for such a long time as Age of Empires II, arguably the most beloved installment in the series. The knight-line is very effective against skirmishers, siege, infantry (other than the spearmen-line) and hand cannoneers. The most played civilization in the list is also one of the most unique.
This makes knocking down their walls difficult and their defensive structures benefit as well. Since it is a trash unit with high hp and pierce armor, the scout-line is often used as what is called a “meat-shield” to assist with ranged units dealing damage but not taking damage, ensuring the ranged units behind can have a net-positive production increasing the changes of an effective snowball.
