Gold-efficient counters to Camels for civs without Halberdiers

Civs without Halberdiers: Aztecs, Berbers, Italians, Malians, Mongols, Saracens, Vikings

Civ without Pikemen: Turks

Aztecs have Eagles and archers and monks which don’t directly counter, but there are tools in the toolbox. They all cost gold. Their UT, Garland Wars, gives +4 attack to Pikes which helps. Like the Malians, I assume they lack Halbs for balance reasons.

Berbers have their own Camel Archers and FU Heavy Camels to go toe-to-toe with incoming camels, but it requires gold. At least their Pikes have Plate Mail Armor.

Italians have Genoese Crossbowman with an anti-cavalry bonus. Costs gold and requires a castle, obviously. They do not get Camels at all. Like Berbers, they get all the infantry armor. Massed Hand Cannons, but we’re talking late Imperial with gold at a premium.

Malians get an extra +1 armor for their infantry with each age advance. This is why I assume they don’t get Halbs. Heavy Camel is in their stable with every upgrade but Blast Furnace. Massed Hand Cannons but spendy.

Mongols can use their Mangudai and Cav Archers with kiting/micro to fight enemy camels. They have their own Heavy Camels but lack Plate Barding. Their Pikes at least get all the upgrades. Still, seems weak.

Saracens have all upgrades for Pikes and for their own Heavy Camels. In addition, their Camels and Mamelukes benefit from the UT for +30 HP making those pretty good trades against enemy camels. I imagine this was the balance thinking. Obligatory HCs reference with obligatory caveats.

Vikings don’t have Pikes, but their UT, Chieftains, gives all infantry bonus damage against cavalry (+2 woop dee doo against camels). Like the Aztecs and Malians, Viking Pikes have a bonus which helps offset the lack of Halbs. In this case, it’s an extra 10/15/20% HP as you age up, on top of every Blacksmith tech.

Finally, the Turks. Past Feudal, their Spear line is useless. You can use massed Janissaries/Hand Cannons, Heavy Camels, and their tanky Cav Archers, but they all cost gold. Out of those options, which is the best?

I raise this because if you’re playing a civ, especially Turks, that lacks Halbs, Camels can be a tough one to stop. They will eat up Light Cavalry/Hussar and break your heart versus Knights/Paladins as they plow through your Skirmishers.

In those cases, I found myself being more careful to keep farmers in range of castles and TCs. But I’d like to hear what really works.