Ever dreamed of witnessing Joan of Arc leading Roman Centurions into battle, or Hannibal Barca deploying Japanese Samurai to conquer Rome? With the latest update to Age of Empires Mobile, that dream becomes a reality through the introduction of the innovative Mercenary Troops system.
Starting at level 26, players can unlock the new Mercenary Camp structure. This feature allows you to contract and recruit powerful units that are normally exclusive to other factions. Not only can you hire these mercenaries, but you can also unlock and upgrade technology to enhance their abilities, making them even more formidable on the battlefield. To kick things off, you can secure your first set of mercenaries for free in a new event that's currently live.
The Mercenary Troops system introduces a diverse range of units including Byzantine Cataphracts, Swiss Pikemen, Persian Immortals, Indian Battle Elephants, Roman Centurions, Egyptian Chariot Archers, Japanese Samurai, and Korean Archers. Each of these units comes with its own set of upgradeable tech, further boosting their combat prowess.
For fans of strategy games, the Mercenary Troops system evokes memories of Total War, reminiscent of commanding a horde of hired swords in Rome: Total War and Medieval II. While this addition might be divisive, with some players concerned about potential balance issues, it undeniably adds a new layer of strategic depth to Age of Empires Mobile.
Only time will tell how this system plays out in the hands of players. There's even speculation about future additions like the historical Landsknechts. As the community engages with this new feature, we'll keep an eye on its impact and potential expansions.
If you're looking to dive in and need guidance on the best heroes to unlock, check out our comprehensive tier list of Age of Empires Mobile heroes, ranked by power. This will help you decide which heroes to prioritize for optimal gameplay.