There are over 200 different types units in Rise of Nations, ranging from the Ancient Age Hoplite to the Information Age AH-64 Apache Choppers. Most military units are created from either the barracks, stable, siege engine|siege factory, docks, airfield or fortress. Unit types such as Light Infantry, Heavy Infantry and Ranged Cavalry are upgraded as the player advances through the ages. These upgrades usually represent revolutionary changes in their particular field, for example the Arquebusier of the Gunpowder Age becomes the Musketeer of the Enlightenment Age, representing the great advantage of flintlock muskets over the earlier matchlock muskets, shown by increased atack power and reload speed. Also, each nation gets its own set of unique units like the Greeks get the Companion cavalry and the Russians get the Cossack. Because of the wide variety of units in the game the strategy factor becomes more diverse allowing the player to make more choices and decisions regarding units. Units in Rise of Nations are very heavily balanced with one another, each having its own counter and each having a roughly equal cost, although perhaps a cost in different Rise of Nations Resources|resources, discouraging any great diversity in armies. Units scale in cost as well, increasing in cost as their numbers increase. This, too, discourages diversity and is maligned by many players.
Barracks
Barracks units usually provide the backbone of most armies, requiring, as they do, food, the easily acquired and contantly produced Rise of Nations Resources|resource, and because barracks are possible of being built in the first age.
| Unit Type | Ancient Age | Classical Age | Medieval Age | Gunpowder Age | Enlightenment Age | Industrial Age | Modern Age | Information Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Infantry | Slingers | Javelineers | Elite Javelineers | Arquebusiers | Musketeers | Riflemen | Infantry | Assault Infantry |
| Heavy Infantry | Hoplites | Phalanx | Pikemen | Elite Pikemen | Fusiliers | Anti-Tank Rifle | Bazooka | Anti-Tank Missile |
| Ranged Infantry | Bowmen | Archers | Crossbowmen | -same- | (Upgrades into Musketeers) | |||
| Scouts | Scout | -same- | Explorer | -same- | -same- | Commando | Special Forces | Elite Special Forces |
| Machine Guns | Machine Gun | Heavy Machine Gun | Advanced Machine Gun | |||||
| Flamethrowers | Flamethrower | -same- | -same- |
Stable or Auto Plant
Stable units are often found in early Commando|raiding armies and are often to be found flanking an enemy. Their speed is their most valuable attribute, and they provide flexibility to armies.
| Unit Type | Ancient Age | Classical Age | Medieval Age | Gunpowder Age | Enlightenment Age | Industrial Age | Modern Age | Information Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Cavalry | Light Horse | Light Cavalry | Elite Light Cavalry | Hussar | Armoured Car | Armoured Scout Car | Armoured Cavalry | |
| Heavy Cavalry | Cataphract | Knight | Heavy Knight | Curiassier | Light Tank | Tank | Main Battle Tank | |
| Ranged Cavalry | Horse Archer | Heavy Horse Archer | Dragoon | Carabineer | (Upgrades into Armoured Car) |
Siege Factory or Factory
Siege units are integral to any invading force, providing the heavy backup needed to secure key positions in enemy territory, allowing units to capture and hold cities, and destroy fortresses. The Siege Factory also provides Supply Wagons, needed to feed and clothe troops in enemy territory, minimizing the effects of attrition.
| Unit Type | Ancient Age | Classical Age | Medieval Age | Gunpowder Age | Enlightenment Age | Industrial Age | Modern Age | Information Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artillery | Catapult | Trebuchet | Bombard | Cannon | Artillery | Howitzer | Rocket Artillery | |
| Anti-Aircraft | Anti-Aircraft Gun | Anti-Aircraft Battery | Anti-Aircraft Missile |
Dock, Anchorage or Shipyard
| Unit Type | Ancient Age | Classical Age | Medieval Age | Gunpowder Age | Enlightenment Age | Industrial Age | Modern Age | Information Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Ships | Bark | Dromon | Caravel | Corvette | Sloop | Destroyer | Cruiser | Missile Cruiser |
| Heavy Ships | Trireme | Galley | Carrack | Frigate | Man o' War | Dreadnought | Battleship | Advanced Battleship |
| Fireships | Fire Raft | Heavy Fire Raft | Fireship | Heavy Fireship | Submarine | -same- | Attack Submarine | |
| Aircraft Carriers | Aircraft Carrier | -same- | ||||||
| Bombardment Ships | Bomb Vessel | Bomb Ketch | (Upgrades into Dreadnought) | |||||
| Fishermen | Fishermen | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- |
Airfield
| Unit Type | Ancient Age | Classical Age | Medieval Age | Gunpowder Age | Enlightenment Age | Industrial Age | Modern Age | Information Age | Post-Information Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bombers | Bomber | Strategic Bomber | Stealth Bomber | ||||||
| Fighters | Biplane | Fighter | Jet Fighter | Advanced Fighter | |||||
| Helicopters | Helicopter | Attack Helicopter |
Fortress
| Unit Type | Ancient Age | Classical Age | Medieval Age | Gunpowder Age | Enlightenment Age | Industrial Age | Modern Age | Information Age | Post-Information Age | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generals | General | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | ||
| Spies | Spy | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- |
City
| Unit Type | Ancient Age | Classical Age | Medieval Age | Gunpowder Age | Enlightenment Age | Industrial Age | Modern Age | Information Age | Post-Information Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizens | Citizen | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- |
| Militia* | Militia | -same- | -same- | Minutemen | -same- | -same- | Partisan | -same- |
- Must be accompanied by 'Milita' research at the tower; Citizens then gain a 'To Arms' button on their Control palette
Market
| Unit Type | Ancient Age | Classical Age | Medieval Age | Gunpowder Age | Enlightenment Age | Industrial Age | Modern Age | Information Age | Post-Information Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caravan | Caravan | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- |
| Merchant | Merchant | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- | -same- |
Patriot Units
- The Despot
- The Senator
- The Monarch
- The President
- The CEO
- The Comrade
Unique Units
Each nation can produce exclusive units which are more powerful than the line of units they replace.
- Aztec
Atlatl / Royal Atlatl / Xopilli Atlatl replace Light Infantry from the Ancient Age through Medieval Age.
Jaguar Infantry / Jaguar Assult Infantry replace Light Infantry in the Modern Age and Information Age.
- Bantu
Umpakati / Yangombi Umpakati / Impi Umpakati replace Light Infantry from the Ancient Age through Medieval Age.
Hawk Fighter / Eagle Fighter replace the air fighters in the Modern Age and Information Age.
- British
Longbow / King's Longbow / King's Yeomanry / Highlanders / Black Watch replace Foot Archers and Gunpowder Infantry from the Classical Age through Industrial Age.
The Lancaster Bomber replaces the Bomber in the Modern Age.
- Chinese
Fire Lance / Heavy Fire Lance / Manchu Musketeer / Manchu Rifleman / Manchu Infantry replace Gunpowder Infantry from the Medieval Age through Modern Age.
- Egyptians
Light Camel / Camel Warrior / Elite Camel Warrior replace Light Cavalry from the Ancient Age through Gunpowder Age.
Chariot / Heavy Chariot / Mameluke / Royal Mameluke replace Horse Archers from the Ancient Age through Enlightenment Age.
- French
Chevalier / Heavy Chevalier / Horse Grenadier / Horse Guard Grenadier replace Heavy Cavalry from the Classical Age through Enlightenment Age.
- Germans
Solduri / Barbarian / Vandal / Landsknecht replace Heavy Infantry from the Ancient Age through Gunpowder Age.
The Volksgrenadier replaces the Infantry in the Modern Age.
The Tiger II Tank / Leopard Tank replace the Tanks In The Modern Age and Information Age.
The MG 42 Machine Gun Crew replaces the Heavy Machine Gun in the Modern Age.
- Greeks
Companion Cavalry / Royal Companion Cavalry / Stratiotai / Royal Stratiotai replace Heavy Infantry from the Classical Age through Enlightenment Age.
- Inca
Inti Clubmen / Royal Inti Macemen replace Light Infantry in the Classical Age and Medieval Age.
Inca Mortar / Inca Siege Mortar replace Artillery in the Enlightenment Age and Industrial Age.
- Japanese
Ashigaru Spearmen / Bushi / Elite Bushi replace Heavy Infantry from the Ancient Age through Medieval Age.
Samurai / Gun Samurai replace the Gunpowder Infantry in the Gunpowder Age and Enlightenment Age.
- Koreans
Hwarang / Elite Hwarang / Royal Hwarang / Elite Royal Hwarang replace the Foot Archers from the Ancient Age through Gunpowder Age.
Flaming Arrow / Heavy Flaming Arrow replace the Siege Weapons in the Classical Age and the Medieval Age.
- Maya
Balamob Slinger / Royal Balamob Slinger / Eagle Balamob Slinger replace the Light Infantry from the Ancient Age through Medieval Age
Recoiless Gun / Dragon AT Missile replace the Heavy Infantry in the Modern Age and Information Age.
- Mongols
Nomad / Steppe Nomad / Horde / Golden Horde replace the Horse Archers from the Classical Age through Enlightenment Age.
- Nubians
Camel Archer / Heavy Camel Archer / Camel Raider / Camel Corp replace the Horse Archers from the Classical Age through Enlightenment Age.
Kushite Archer / Royal Kushite Archer / Apedemak Archer replace the Foot Archers from the Classical Age through Gunpowder Age.
- Romans
Legion / Caesar's Legion / Praetorian Guard replace the Heavy Infantry from the Classical Age through Gunpowder Age.
Thrones & Patriots Unique Units
- Americans
Continental Marine / Rifleman Marine / Marine Infantry / Assault Marine replace Gunpowder Infantry from the Enlightenment Age through Information Age.
- Lakota
Sunka Wakan / Eagle Feather Horse / Musket Horse / Repeating Rifle Horse replace Horse Archers from the Classical Age through Enlightenment Age.
- Iroquois
Takohs / Akweks / Okwari replace Scouts from the Ancient Age through Enlightenment Age.
Spearmen / Mohawk Spearmen / Heavy Mohawk Spearmen / Elite Mohawk Spearmen replace Heavy Infantry from the Ancient Age through Gunpowder Age.
- Persians
Immortal / Anusiya / Athantoi / Arquebus Immortal replace Heavy Infantry from the Ancient Age through Gunpowder Age.
War Elephant / Mahout / Gun Mahout / Culverin Mahout are a unique Elephant unit type at the Stables from the Classical Age through Enlightenment Age.
- Indians
War Elephant / Mahout / Gun Mahout / Culverin Mahout are a unique Elephant unit type at the Stables from the Classical Age through Enlightenment Age.
- Dutch
Brig / Fluyt / Clipper replace Light Ships from the Medieval Age through Enlightenment Age.
Armed Merchant / Armed Caravan replace Merchants and Caravans respectively throughout the game.
Armed Supply Wagon replaces Supply Wagons from the Medieval Age.