Wei

The Wei

Although he wasn’t the official first emperor of the Wei, the warlord Cao Cao is generally accepted as the founder of the Wei Kingdom. He gained a name for himself during the Yellow Turban rebellion in 184 CE and fought against Dong Zhuo in 190 CE alongside figures like Liu Bei, Yuan Shao, and Sun Jian. After Dong Zhuo’s death, Cao Cao’s cutthroat ambition became more evident to his old allies: he launched a vicious attack against Tao Qian and the Xu Province under the pretext of Tao Qian’s alleged involvement in the death of Cao Cao’s father. This campaign resulted in the death of thousands of civilians. In 196 CE, he seized the puppet emperor and named himself the Prime Minister of the Han, effectively taking control of the Han empire.

After subjugating various other warlords, Cao Cao then began expanding his territory north against his former ally Yuan Shao. He defeated him at the battle of Guan Du on the banks of the Yellow River. After Yuan Shao’s defeat, his squabbling sons were unable to unite against Cao Cao’s threat: Cao Cao was able to seize all of the northern territories controlled by the Yuan family in roughly seven years, unifying Northern China. Cao Cao’s conquest of the north gave him access to a powerful cavalry: one of his most famous units was his prized Tiger Cavalry, a heavy cavalry unit that served as his personal guard. His subjugation of the northern tribes also allowed him to absorb soldiers from the armies he conquered, like raiders from the Xianbei tribe, whom he conquered at the battle at White Wolf Mountain in 207 CE.

With his bolstered army, Cao Cao then turned south and clashed against Liu Bei and Sun Quan at Chi Bi (The Battle of Red Cliffs) in 208 CE, where he was defeated due to his weaker navy and an illness in his camp. He never managed to conquer anything south of the Yangtze river, but he was named King of Wei by Emperor Xian in 216 CE.

Cao Cao was not only famous for his military prowess: he was also a skilled poet and built the famous Bronze Bird Terrace in 210 CE in the city of Ye. The terrace was used as a space to recite poetry and to honor Cao Cao’s accomplishments. His sons and successors continued the tradition of high poetic prowess.

After Cao Cao’s death in 220 CE, the Wei Empire was officially founded by Cao Cao’s son and successor Cao Pi after Emperor Xian ‘ceded’ the throne to him. Cao Pi only reigned as emperor for six years before his death in 226 CE — he was succeeded by his son Cao Rui, who ruled until 239 CE. His adopted son Cao Fang was named successor; however, he was only seven years old, so he was appointed two regents: Cao Shuang and Sima Yi. Sima Yi had long worked under the Cao family and he was popular with the army and military alike. In 249 CE, he seized Cao Fang and murdered Cao Shuang. This action effectively ended the Wei dynasty: there were a series of puppet emperors controlled by Sima Yi and his descendants until 266 CE, when Sima Yan, the grandson of Sima Yi, forced Cao Huan to abdicate the throne. Sima Yan then established the Jin Dynasty, which lasted until 420 CE.

Playstyle

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.
– Cao Cao, warlord and founder of the Kingdom of Wei.

The Wei civilization boasts a mighty mounted army driven by the ambition and strategy of the cunning warlord Cao Cao. Striking fear in their opponents’ hearts are some of the game’s best horsemen in a melee: Hei Guang Cavalry with extra hitpoints; and the renowned Tiger Cavalry, which crush most units with ease. Moreover, researching the Ming Guang Armor unique technology provides Wei cavalry with additional melee armor, making them even more dangerous.

Complementing these sturdy riders are versatile mounted archers from the Xianbei tribes to the north, who can execute swift raids against their enemies and rapidly shoot them full of arrows. While the rest of their military roster’s quality pales in comparison, the Wei excel at bombardment, fielding Traction Trebuchets and Lou Chuan ships at lower costs than usual.

A large population and strong economy fuels this military machine: the Wei receive additional Villagers for every economic dropsite technology researched. Since Cao Cao ordered his soldiers to farm when not on campaign, the unique technology Tuntian causes all Wei soldiers to slowly produce food.

In the Imperial Age, the Wei can call on the charismatic military genius Cao Cao, who inspires all nearby friendly units to attack faster.

Unique Units

Tiger Cavalry

This powerful horseman can defeat most opponents and becomes stronger with each slain enemy.

Wei unique Cavalry that gains HP and attack when defeating enemy military.
Exceptionally strong vs. Ranged Soldiers. Weak vs. Spearman-line.

Xianbei Raider

This inexpensive cavalry archer periodically rains a volley of arrows on the enemy and is best used in open spaces where its mobility can excel.

Wei unique mounted archer with a charged ranged attack.
Strong vs. Infantry. Weak vs. Skirmishers and Camel Riders.

Cao Cao

The calculating tactician Cao Cao improves the attack speed of nearby friendly units.

Wei unique Cavalry Hero that increases the attack speed of nearby units. Extremely powerful.
Has a limit of one, cannot be converted. Only available in the Imperial Age.

Tiger Cavalry

This powerful horseman can defeat most opponents and becomes stronger with each slain enemy.

Wei unique Cavalry that gains HP and attack when defeating enemy military.
Exceptionally strong vs. Ranged Soldiers. Weak vs. Spearman-line.

Xianbei Raider

This inexpensive cavalry archer periodically rains a volley of arrows on the enemy and is best used in open spaces where its mobility can excel.

Wei unique mounted archer with a charged ranged attack.
Strong vs. Infantry. Weak vs. Skirmishers and Camel Riders.

Cao Cao

The calculating tactician Cao Cao improves the attack speed of nearby friendly units.

Wei unique Cavalry Hero that increases the attack speed of nearby units. Extremely powerful.
Has a limit of one, cannot be converted. Only available in the Imperial Age.

Regional Units

Hei Guang Cavalry

Trained at the Stable, the Hei Guang Cavalry is a potent, mobile horseman who can withstand considerable damage thanks to its heavy armor.

Powerful all-purpose Heavy Cavalry.
Strong vs. Infantry and Foot Archers. Weak vs. Spearman-line, Camel Riders, and Monks.

Traction Trebuchet

Constructed at the Siege Workshop, this mobile siege weapon hurls devastating projectiles over a long range, but needs protection from enemy melee units.

Powerful anti-building Siege Weapon with long range, but cannot attack enemies at close range.
Strong vs. Buildings. Can attack ground and destroy trees.

Lou Chuan

This floating fortress bombards buildings from afar with its trebuchet, but is also excellent when hailing arrows on other ships.

Powerful Siege Warship that fires arrows at units and uses a long range trebuchet weapon against buildings and Siege Weapons but cannot attack at close range.
Strong vs. buildings. Weak vs Fire Ships.