Animals than can be added to AoE2

Age of Empires II: DE II - Discussion
83

"I was thinking — wouldn’t it make more sense to replace the wild chicken skins with more region-appropriate birds and have them spawn in different biomes? Seeing regular domestic chickens wandering around in the wild feels a bit out of place.

White wild chicken → Willow Ptarmigan** (European or snowy maps) * Black wild chicken → Guineafowl (African or desert maps) * Brown wild chicken → Red Junglefowl (Jungle or Asian maps) **“This way, each region could have its own unique wild bird variant, which would feel more immersive and natural.”

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84

We could also have more penguins than just the cheat unit. Penguins exist as far north as South America and Africa.

Edit:

That’s something I want too. Also for the name in the Brazilian translation to be changed (the current means “Wild Pig”, not Javelina).

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85

I’d also add grouse (for Europe) and curassow (for Central America) to that list – although I don’t actually know which of these animals were hunted for food historically. I see we now also have peacocks (but no peahens) for South Asia.

Also, how about the original penguin: the great auk? Definitely historically hunted for food, and with quite a wide geographical range.

I’m more used to them being called peccaries than javelinas – didn’t realise for years that these were the same thing.

86

I only knew about them through Age of Empires, so for a long while I thought they were just boars (which were brought to America, and are still an invasive species to this day), which made me be weirded about them showing up in the Montezuma campaign before the Spanish arrive.

Ever since I learned about the real animal, I’ve wanted the Brazilian translation for them to be changed to caititu, which actually is a term for peccaries.

87

Too cute! How could I order my villagers to hunt these guys?!

88

Pheasants for Europe. A different pheasant variant for East Asia. Huntable.

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90

Also, peafowls can use the green variant (in the game, the blue peafowl only exists in India, while in reality the green peafowl is found in Southeast Asia).

or maybe Perhaps white and black swans could be added as well?

3 Likes
91

I don’t think any AoE2 civs would have encountered black swans, so they’d be a bit of a weird pick… no weirder than penguins though.

92

Penguins would’ve been encountered by South American civs.

93

Penguins exist in South America and Africa

94

Hmm, this is not a hill I can be bothered to die on so… sure, black swans would be weirder than penguins!

(But really I think it depends if we’re interpreting the penguin as representative of a particular species, or a particular genus, or whether we’re interpreting it as representing all penguins.)

95

nessie
nessie1059×428 619 KB

The most recent addition isn’t one I would have expected. Though this “myth unit” isn’t really usable beyond eye candy since it lacks proper idle, moving and attack graphics.

What would we like to see for aoe2 in 2026?
96

Lindsay Ellis No Thanks GIF - Lindsay Ellis No Thanks Thanks I Hate It - Discover & Share GIFs

3 Likes
97

I cant tell whats real or not anymore

4 Likes
98

Only appear in campaign

99

Actually, I wished for a mythical creature, a dragon or something comparable, as a cheat/editor unit. Now there’s Nessie, but due to the way its sprite works, even in a fantasy-themed scenario, it cannot be used as a full-fledged unit. Bummer.

100

Very nice. It’s the second time that an animal animation was added, the first one was the panda rock. I think we can gain more of this. The next one can be a whale animation. Also there is nice model in AoE3 (a rock with eagle).

We can add : whale who dive. Dolphin who jump. Rock in water with penguin, auk or marine bird. Beaver who swin alongside of a beaver hut. Cliff with eagle nest or seagull nest with bird taking of the nest and landing on the nest. Eagle who take off from a tree. Condor who take of from a rock, flying a little and landing on the same rock. Elephant and hippopotame in water. Ducks who swin in water.

101

I already suggested it here, but here’s a pic of a maned wolf

gettyimages-520529502-maned-wolf
gettyimages-520529502-maned-wolf800×466 236 KB

Now that foxes are a thing, I guess maned wolves could work the same way.

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102

Aguara guasu, taguato ruvicha and pirañas for eye candy
Kure’i and tatu for food
Suruvi and arapaimas for the rivers
Guaraná, manduvi, abacaxi for gathering in bushes

105

Proposal: Revised Map & Animal AI Expansion Concept

I would like to slightly revise my original idea and provide the following proposal as a reference in case the developers plan to add new animal models in the future.

This concept focuses on:

Regional map differentiation

More realistic species distribution

Gameplay balance across different biomes

This is meant purely as a thematic and balancing reference for the developers, not a demand.

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Map Generation – Regional Classification

Asia

South Asia

Southeast Asia(Mainland)(Island regions)

East Asia

Central Asia

West Asia (primarily desert environments)

Africa

East African Savanna

West African Savanna(Many iconic African animals do not actually exist in West Africa)

Central African Rainforest

Americas

Central America

South American Rainforest

South American Highlands

Southern Europe (Mediterranean style)

Western & Eastern Europe

Central Europe (Autumn-themed)

Northern Europe (Effectively Arctic maps)

Caucasus (Winter-themed)

North America (General biome)

Included here due to similar climate and species distribution,Animal species can still be further subdivided separately

North America is grouped here for biome reference only, as its fauna distribution overlaps heavily with European temperate regions, while still allowing finer regional differentiation.

Special Map

Australia (if the developers plan to add it)

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Gameplay Balance Guideline

Generally speaking:

Maps with fewer animal species should spawn a higher number of individuals per species.

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New Domesticated Livestock AI

(75 / 100 / 150 food categories)

Guinea Pig – South American Highlands

Duck (white & brown) – East Asia, parts of Europe

Muscovy Duck – Central America & South American Rainforest

Can partially replace chickens in global spawn tables

Goose (Asian species) – current in-game geese are clearly European

Pig (black-skinned Asian pig) – instead of pink European pigs

Yak – Central Asia

Watusi Cattle – Africa

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Non-Pushable Animal AI (75 food – modified)

Poultry Replacement System

Brown pheasant → Red Junglefowl (South & Southeast Asia)

Black pheasant → Guinea Fowl (Africa)

White pheasant → **Malleefowl（**Australia）

Mallard Duck – East Asia

If Australia exists:

Replace white pheasant with Malleefowl

Rabbits

Hare A – West & Central Asia

Hare B – Europe & North America

Arctic Hare – Arctic maps

New AI

Armadillo – Central America & South American Rainforest

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Non-Pushable Animal AI (85 food – modified)

White Swan – Europe, West Asia, Central Asia

Black Swan – Australia (if added)

Wild Turkey – Central America & North America(Less food than domesticated turkey, smaller body and different appearance)

Green Peafowl – Southeast Asia(Current in-game peacock is Blue Peafowl, which is native only to South Asia)

African Peafowl – Central African Rainforest

New AI

Muntjac – East Asia & Southeast Asian Islands

Capybara – South American Rainforest

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Pushable Animal AI (140 food – modified)

Deer Variants

White-tailed Deer – Central & North America

Sambar Deer – South & Southeast Asia

Large Birds

Rhea – South American Highlands

Emu – Australia

New AI

Guanaco – South American Highlands

Kangaroo – Australia

Tapir(Malayan Tapir – Southeast Asian Islands)(American Tapir – South American Rainforest)

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Gold-Drop Wild Animals (Fox AI Variants)

Corsac Fox – Central & West Asia

Gray Fox – North America & South American Highlands(Red fox is not native to these regions)

New AI

Serval – Africa

Ocelot – Central & South American Rainforest

Clouded Leopard – South & Southeast Asia(Despite some debate about aggression, foxes are also aggressive in-game)

Quoll – Australia

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Aggressive Animals (Modified from Snow Leopard AI)

Cougar – North America & South American Highlands

Leopard – Central African Rainforest & Southeast Asian Mainland

Wolf Variants

Arabian Wolf:

Australian Dingo / Thylacine

Bear Variants:

Sloth Bear – South Asia (optional)

Spectacled Bear – South America

New AI

Striped Hyena – West Asia & Africa

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Neutral Animals (Visual Variants)

Warthog – Africa

Asian Rhinoceros – South & Southeast Asia

New AI

Giant Anteater – Central America & South American Rainforest(Can reuse bear attack animations)

Wombat – Australia

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Large Herbivores (340–400 food, charge-type attacks)

Wild Water Buffalo / Cape Buffalo

Bison / Aurochs

Moose

Wild Yak

Musk Ox

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Fish & Aquatic Life

Crabs / Shrimp – Coastal areas (both freshwater & marine zones)

Catfish, Carp, Loach, Crucian Carp – Global freshwater (except polar regions)

Sharks & Squid – All ocean maps worldwide

Softshell Turtle – East Asia, Southeast Asia,

South Asia (freshwater)

Bullfrog – African freshwater

Sturgeon – West & Central Asia(freshwater)

Trout – European freshwater

Beluga Whale, Herring – Northern Europe & Antarctic regions

Cod – Australia and Polar regions

Knifefish, Piranha – South American Rainforest (freshwater)

River Dolphin – South Asia, East Asia, South America(Could reuse dolphin model)

Sea Lion, Sea Turtle, Sardine, Eel – All non-polar oceans

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Decorative Animals – Birds (Moving)

Flamingo – Africa & South American Highlands

Hornbill – South & Southeast Asia

Toucan – Central & South American Rainforest

Pelican – Parts of Africa & Australia

Albatross – Southeast Asian Islands & Australia

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Decorative Animals (No Food, Deer-like Behavior)

Orangutan – Southeast Asian Islands(Modified from existing monkey model)

Wild Donkey – West Asia & parts of Africa

Giraffe – East African Savanna (optional)

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Fixed Decorative Objects

Bird nests with eggs (global)

Large animal skeletons

Termite mounds

Basilisk lizard (water-running lizard)

King cobra nests / snake charmer cobras

Monkey trees

Beaver dams

Coral reefs

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Suggested Animal Distribution by Region

Map Generation Suggestions – Regional Animal Distribution

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Europe

Southern Europe

Domestic Animals:

Duck, Goose (European), Cattle (a, c)

Timid Animals:

Hare (b), Mouflon, Ibex

Gold Animal:

Red Fox

Counter-Attack Prey:

Wild Boar, Bison / Aurochs

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Beaver dams, large animal skeletons

Predators:

Gray Wolf, Brown Bear

Birds:

Owl, Stork

Unique Fish:

Trout

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Western & Eastern Europe

Domestic Animals:

Duck, Goose (European), Cattle (a, c)

Timid Animals:

Hare (b), White Swan, Deer

Gold Animal:

Red Fox

Counter-Attack Animals:

Bison / Aurochs, Moose

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Wild horses (c, d, e), beaver dams, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Gray Wolf, Brown Bear

Birds:

Owl, Stork

Unique Fish:

Trout

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Central Europe

Domestic Animals:

Duck, Pig (European), Cattle (a, c)

Timid Animals:

Hare (b), White Swan, Deer

Gold Animal:

Red Fox

Counter-Attack Animals:

Bison / Aurochs, Moose

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Beaver dams, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Gray Wolf, Brown Bear

Birds:

Owl, Eagle

Unique Fish:

Trout

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Northern Europe

Domestic Animals:

Duck, Pig (European), Cattle (a, c)

Timid Animals:

Arctic Hare, Reindeer

Gold Animal:

Arctic Fox

Counter-Attack Animals:

Musk Ox, Moose

Predators:

Arctic Wolf, Polar Bear

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Beached whales, large animal skeletons

Birds:

Owl, Eagle

Unique Fish:

Beluga Whale, Cod, Herring

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Caucasus

Domestic Animals:

Chicken, Sheep, Cattle (a, c)

Timid Animals:

Hare (b), Ibex, Mouflon

Gold Animal:

Red Fox

Counter-Attack Animals:

Wild Boar, Moose

Predators:

Gray Wolf, Brown Bear

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Large animal skeletons

Birds:

Owl, Peregrine Falcon

Unique Fish:

Sturgeon

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Asia

Central Asia

Domestic Animals:

Chicken, Sheep, Yak

Timid Prey:

Hare (a), White Swan, Argali, Ibex

Gold Animal:

Corsac Fox

Counter-Attack Prey:

Wild Boar, Wild Yak

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Wild horses (a), Wild Bactrian Camel, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Gray Wolf, Snow Leopard

Birds:

Eagle, Red-crowned Crane

Unique Fish:

Sturgeon

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West Asia

Domestic Animals:

Chicken, sheep, Cattle (b, d – corresponding to zebu-type cattle)

Timid Prey:

Hare (a), White Swan, Gazelle, Ostrich

Gold Animal:

Corsac Fox

Counter-Attack Animals:

Wild Boar

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Wild Dromedary Camel, Wild Donkey, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Striped Hyena, Arabian Wolf

Birds:

Vulture, Eagle

Unique Fish:

Sturgeon

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East Asia

Domestic Animals:

Duck, Pig (Asian), Goose (Asian species), Water Buffalo

Timid Prey:

Mallard Duck, Muntjac, Deer

Gold Animal:

Red Fox

Counter-Attack Prey:

Wild Boar

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Panda rock formations, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Black Bear, Tiger

Birds:

Red-crowned Crane, Peregrine Falcon

Unique Fish:

Softshell Turtle, River Dolphin

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Southeast Asia (Mainland)

Domestic Animals:

Chicken, Pig (Asian), Water Buffalo

Timid Prey:

Red Junglefowl, Green Peafowl, Sambar Deer

Gold Animal:

Clouded Leopard

Counter-Attack Prey:

Asian Rhinoceros, Wild Water Buffalo / Gaur

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Monkey trees, King Cobra nests, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Tiger, Leopard

Birds:

Hornbill, Peregrine Falcon

Unique Fish:

Softshell Turtle

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Southeast Asia (Islands)

Domestic Animals:

Chicken, Pig (Asian), Water Buffalo

Timid Prey:

Red Junglefowl, Muntjac, Sambar Deer, Tapir (Malayan Tapir)

Gold Animal:

Clouded Leopard

Counter-Attack Prey:

Asian Rhinoceros, Elephant

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Orangutan, coral reefs, beached whales, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Komodo Dragon, Crocodile

Birds:

Hornbill, Albatross

Unique Fish:

Softshell Turtle

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South Asia

Domestic Animals:

Chicken, Goat, Water Buffalo

Timid Prey:

Red Junglefowl, Blue Peafowl, Sambar Deer

Gold Animal:

Clouded Leopard

Counter-Attack Prey:

Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo / Gaur

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Monkey trees, King Cobra nests, snake charmer cobras, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Arabian Wolf, Lion, (Sloth Bear?)

Birds:

Hornbill, Peregrine Falcon

Unique Fish:

River Dolphin, Softshell Turtle

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Africa

West Africa

Domestic Animals:

Chicken, Goat, Watusi Cattle

Timid Prey:

Guinea Fowl, Ostrich

Gold Animal:

Serval

Counter-Attack Prey:

Warthog, Rhinoceros (original version)

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Monkey trees, termite mounds, wild donkeys, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Lion, Arabian Wolf

Birds:

Pelican, Stork

Unique Fish:

Bullfrog

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Central African Rainforest

Domestic Animals:

Chicken, Goat, Watusi Cattle

Timid Prey:

Guinea Fowl, African Peafowl

Gold Animal:

Serval

Counter-Attack Prey:

Warthog, Elephant

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Termite mounds, monkey trees, chimpanzees (using existing monkey model), large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Crocodile, Leopard

Birds:

Pelican, Stork

Unique Fish:

Bullfrog

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East Africa

Domestic Animals:

Chicken, Goat, Watusi Cattle

Timid Prey:

Guinea Fowl, Gazelle, Zebra

Gold Animal:

Serval

Counter-Attack Prey:

Rhinoceros (original), Wild Water Buffalo

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Monkey trees, wild donkeys, termite mounds, giraffes, large animal skeletons, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Lion, Striped Hyena

Birds:

Vulture, Flamingo

Unique Fish:

Bullfrog

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Americas

Central America

Domestic Animals:

Muscovy Duck, Turkey

Timid Prey:

Armadillo, Wild Turkey, White-tailed Deer

Gold Animal:

Ocelot

Counter-Attack Prey:

Coati, Giant Anteater

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Monkey trees, basilisk lizards (water-running lizards), bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Black Bear, Jaguar

Birds:

Parrot, Toucan

Unique Fish:

Box Turtle

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South American Rainforest

Domestic Animals:

Muscovy Duck, Turkey

Timid Prey:

Armadillo, Capybara, Tapir (American)

Gold Animal:

Ocelot

Counter-Attack Prey:

Coati, Giant Anteater

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Monkey trees, basilisk lizards

Predators:

Jaguar, Crocodile

Birds:

Parrot, Toucan

Unique Fish:

Elephantnose Fish, Piranha, River Dolphin

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South American Highlands

Domestic Animals:

Guinea Pig, Alpaca

Timid Prey:

Armadillo, Guanaco, Rhea

Gold Animal:

Gray Fox

Counter-Attack Prey:

Coati, Giant Anteater

Decorative Animals & Objects:

Termite mounds, bird nests with eggs

Predators:

Cougar, Spectacled Bear

Birds:

Flamingo, Eagle

Unique Fish:

Undetermined

Possible New Map: Australia

Domestic: Chicken, Sheep, Cattle (or none, purely historical reference)

Prey: Malleefowl, Black Swan, Kangaroo, Emu

Gold Animal: Quoll

Neutral: Wombat

Predators: Crocodile, Thylacine / Dingo

Birds: Pelican, Albatross

Fish: Cod

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Antarctica

Honestly, I am not sure what could be added here.

It would likely be best to focus almost entirely on marine life.

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Additionally, some animals can also have opposite-sex variants (which would still make more sense than something like the Loch Ness Monster), such as lions, deer, peacocks, mallard ducks, turkeys, chickens, ostriches, and orangutans.

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