This guide translates all the unit tags pulled from the game’s code into a user-friendly comprehensive chart.
 
 

The Chart

I have noticed that even veteran players sometimes get confused with unit classifications, especially in DE where many of them have changed or are constantly changing.
 
So I’ve created this comprehensive image to make sense out of the complex unit tag system in the game. Hope it’s useful for new and old players.
 
 
The following image is a preview. Click on it to enlarge and download it (if you want).
 
 

 
 
 

Counter System

Most units in the game have positive or negative damage multipliers against other types of units. For example, Musket Infantry has a positive damage multiplier against Cavalry, which means they are a hard counter to Cavalry.
 
The counter system is composed of the unit tags below (as they appear in the game files).
 
 
AbstractInfantry
 
AbstractLightInfantry (Shock Infantry in-game)
 
AbstractCoyoteMan (Hand Shock Infantry in-game)
 
AbstractCavalry
 
AbstractHeavyCavalry
 
AbstractLightCavalry (Light Ranged Cavalry in-game)
 
AbstractArtillery
 
AbstractWarShip
 
AbstractVillager
 
AbstractPet
 
Hero
 
Mercenary
 
AbstractSiegeTrooper
 
 
Note: Some units, such as the Carolean, appear in the UI with the wrong multiplier. The UI shows they have positive multiplier against Hand Cavalry, but it’s actually Heavy Cavalry, because Hand Cavalry is not part of the counter system.
 
 
 

Tech System

The following tags are not part of the counter system and are exclusively used for the purpose of technology (cards, arsenal, etc.)
 
 
AbstractHandInfantry
 
AbstractRangedInfantry
 
AbstractArcher
 
AbstractFootArcher
 
AbstractGunpowderTrooper
 
AbstractRifleman (Rifle Infantry in-game)
 
AbstractMusketeer (Musket Infantry in-game)
 
AbstractGrenadier (Grenade Trooper in-game)
 
AbstractHandCavalry
 
AbstractRangedCavalry
 
AbstractGunpowderCavalry
 
AbstractOutlaw
 
AbstractNativeWarrior
 
AbstractHealer
 
AbstractElephant
 
AbstractCamel
 
 
 

Future updates

I accept suggestions to make this guide more complete. And I’ll always be updating it if necessary once new updates are released. You can find me as Beszedits in multiple AOE related discords in case you have questions.
 
 

 
 
This is all about Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Unit Chart for AOE3 DE; I hope you enjoy reading the Guide! If you feel like we should add more information or we forget/mistake, please let us know via commenting below, and thanks! See you soon!