Gamespot has called the units in ''Age of Mythology'' "fun-to-use."<ref>Greg Kasavin, "[http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/ageofmythology/review.html Featuring lots of interesting, inventive design decisions, plenty of fun-to-use units, and tons of variety, ''Age of Mythology'' is the last real-time strategy game you'll need for a long time]," ''Gamespot'' (Nov 1, 2002).</ref>
''Gamespot'' has called the units in ''Age of Mythology'' "fun-to-use."<ref>Greg Kasavin, "[http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/ageofmythology/review.html Featuring lots of interesting, inventive design decisions, plenty of fun-to-use units, and tons of variety, ''Age of Mythology'' is the last real-time strategy game you'll need for a long time]," ''Gamespot'' (Nov 1, 2002).</ref> ''About.com'' declares that the "most significant unit to come form Age of Mythology The Titans Expansion is the Titan unit itself. If you are fortunate enough to have the resources, these extremely expensive war machines can literally decide the outcome of the game, buy destroying virtually everything in their path."<ref>Michael Klappenbach,"[http://compactiongames.about.com/cs/rtsgamereviews/gr/aomtitans.htm Review of ''Age of Mythology: The Titans Expansion'']," ''About.com''</ref>
This is a comprehensive listing of the units in the Age of Mythology series, a series of popular real-time strategycomputer games. Released in 2002 as a production of Ensemble Studios,[1]Age of Mythology was a huge success, selling over 1,000,000 copies,[2] and earning a platinum title.[3] It was released addendum to the long-lived Age of Empiresseries and franchise. As a result of its success, The Titans was created and released in November 2003,[4] and Age of Mythology and The Titans formed part of a series in their own right.
The Age of Mythology series differs from the similarly structured Age of Empires series, most significantly in that it focuses more on the mythological canon of the civilizations that are playable in the game rather than the historical accuracy, a key trend of Age of Empires.[5][6]
Another important difference between the Age of Empires series and the Age of Mythology series is the existence of "myth units", units based on various creatures and beasts from mythological legends and stories. These myth units comprised some forty individual playable entities,[7] and "cost" a combination of favor, a new resource (in-game supplies used for building structures) which came with the mythological creature concept, and any of the three other resources.
The first game in the series included three playable civilizations; the Greek, Egyptian and Norse,[8] each of whom varied in the units they could create and the buildings they could construct, among other differences. With The Titans expansion came a fourth civilization, the Atlantean civilization,[9] based on the legend of Atlantis, with many new units, buildings, as well as titans: colossal, powerful units that varied depending on the civilization and cost a great deal of resources to train.
Hoplites are the standard Greek infantry unit. Historically, they comprised the dominant class of soldiers in many of Ancient Greece's armies, and were considered heavy infantry.[10]
Hypaspists are powerful against other infantry units. Part of Alexander the Great's Macedonian army, Hypaspists were shield-bearing foot guardsmen, who were particularly known and exploited for their great mobility as a regiment.
Toxotes, the standard ranged unit, are strong against infantry. In Ancient Greek armies, they were equipped with both a bow and a short sword, as well as a small shield.
Hippikons are particularly mobile cavalry units, and are also powerful in combat. In Ancient Greece, Hippikons (or Hippeis) were comparable to knights.
The Myrmidon, Zeus' exclusive unit, by default, is powerful against all other non-Greek human units. They were, in ancient times, said to be the warriors commanded by the warrior Achilles.
The Gastraphetes, Hades' exclusive unit, is an archer unit. It has great range, and is particularly powerful against structures. The Gastraphetes was the name of an actual crossbow, rather than the name of a class of Greek infantry.
The Hetairoi, Poseidon's exclusive unit, is a cavalry unit that is effective against buildings, archers and siege weapons. They comprised the elite cavalry guards of Alexander the Great, and were the main attacking force in his armed forces.
The Petrobolos is a catapult that forms part of the Greek's siege arsenal. Catapults were used extensively in many regions of the world over the span of history as siege machines.
The Helepolis is a powerful siege weapon that has the additional benefit of being able to garrison units within it. Its name means "Taker of Cities", and the design for this siege engine was invented by Demetrius I of Macedon.
The Trireme is a warship used effectively for the countering of ramming ships. They were used all over the Mediterranean by many civilizations as a distinct class of warship.
The Pentekonter inflicts damage using a ram, and counters siege ships. They were a type of Greek galley, and were equipped with approximately fifty oars.
The Juggernaut is a siege ship, used effectively against shoreline defenses, such as towers, wall fortifications, and other structures. The word Juggernaut refers to any force, metaphorical or physical, that is regarded as unstoppable or unconquerable.
When Hades' human soldiers are killed, there is a 20% chance that a shade will appear at the player's temple. Shades are elements of certain mythologies often associated with shadow in the literal sense, or the undead.
Each Greek civilization has a unique hero in each age, making a total of four. Heroes can carry relics (objects that contain improvements to a civilization's technologies) and they are especially powerful against myth units.
The Pegasus is a flying scout available to the Greek civilization. In Greek mythology, the Pegasus was a flying horse with wings, the son of the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon.
Centaurs are a type of cavalry archer. Their special attack is a shot that does additional damage and never misses its target. Mythologically, centaurs were a race of creatures with the torso of a man, and the lower body of a horse.
The Minotaur is a melee myth unit, with an advantage against infantry and buildings. Its special attack is head butting an enemy away from combat. Mythically, the Minotaur refers to a monster with the head of a bull, and the body of a man. The creature was contained within a labyrinth and was slain by Theseus. [11]
The Cyclops is a melee myth unit with an advantage against other melee units and buildings. The Cyclops' special attack is to throw any human soldier, killing them instantly. Cyclops are dually described by the poets Hesiod and Homer; both referring one-eyed giants. Perhaps the most famous cyclops is that of Polyphemus, whom is represented in the game as a the Mythic Age hero of Poseidon.
The Hydra is a melee unit that grows a new head with by killing three units. In this way it can reach at total of five heads. Each new head it grows multiplies its attack. Mythologically, the Lernaean Hydra was killed by Heracles as the second of his Twelve Labours.
The Nemean Lion is a melee unit which is effective against archers and buildings. The Nemean Lion's special attack to roar, causing a small amount of damage to all units directly in front of it. The first of The Twelve Labours of Heracles was to slay the Nemean Lion.
The Colossus is a seige unit with the largest amount of health points for a normal unit in the game. The Colossus' special ability is consuming part of a gold mine or a tree to replenish its health. The Colossus almost certainly refers to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, depicting Helios - the sun god.
The Chimera is a melee myth unit. Its special attack is to send a fan of flames to damage all units in the area in front of it. Mythologically, Chimera was one of the children of the TitansTyphoon and Echidna, depicted as having body parts from multiple animals. According to legend, it was slain by Bellerophon, riding upon the back of Pegasus.
The Medusa is a ranged myth unit. They take their special attack from mythology, namely the ability to turn people into stone with their gaze. This attack will kill any normal unit instantly.
The Scylla is a naval myth unit with the ability to grow extra heads through battle. Each head multiplies the attack of the Scylla in the same way as the Hydra unit. Mythologically, Scylla was one of two monsters, the other being Charybdis, guarding a narrow strait of water in Greek Mythology. She features in Homer's Odyssey, among other works.
The Carcinos is a naval myth unit, represented as a large crab. Similar to the Egyptian Scarab, when killed, it damages nearby units. The Carinos is based upon a crab which played a minor part in the second of the Twelve Labours. The crab distracted Heracles as he fought the Hydra. The constellation of Cancer is attributed to this crab.
Mercenaries are extremely powerful units, units that have 'no true counter'. They are trained almost instantly from the town centre and take no population; however die after 40 seconds.
The Mercenary Cavalry is an extremely powerful unit trained almost instantly, dying after 40 seconds. The Mercenary Cavalry is faster and tougher than the Mercenary, but more require more gold.
Egyptian hero unit. All Egyptians start with a pharaoh at the beginning of the game, and he is respawned if killed. As well as countering myth units, he can heal units, gather relics, and empower buildings. Set's Pharaoh can summon animals which may be either used as a fighting unit, or a cheap food resource.
Priests are lesser versions of the Pharaoh. They cannot ordinarily empower buildings and cannot carry relics, but instead they have the ability to summon Obelisks, which are cheap structures that provide Line of Sight, and heal units.
Osiris' god power converts the Pharaoh into mighty Son of Osiris (a reference to the god Horus). The Son of Osiris has a massive attack, and his lightning attack will hit up to four units at once. Because he retains his bonus to myth units, the Son of Osiris is even more devastating than the Pharaoh against them, but he cannot be healed in any way.
Minions
Myth Unit
Minions are melee units that are created whenever a mummy uses its special attack, or during the Ansestor god power. Minion are fast with a powerful melee attack but with low hit points. A minion will die one minute after it is summoned.
Lost Ships are accurate ranged ships which are the result of using the Ancestor god power in water. Like minions, lost ships will die one minute after they are summoned.
Egyptian Titan
Titan
The Egyptian titan is a colossal, bird-like creature. It depicts Horus, the son of Osiris.
The Petsuchos is a long ranged unit that does a large amount of pierce damage, but has a slow rate of fire. Unlike regular ranged units, the Petsuchos fires with 100% accuracy.
The Roc is a flying transport unit and can carry 15 land units via air to any point on the map. Mythically, the Roc refers to a legendary Arabian bird of prey, large enough to carry elephants. The explorer Marco Polo described such birds living in Madagascar, home to the (now extinct) Elephant bird. [12]
The Scarab is a siege myth unit. When killed, the Scarab sprays acid blood that damages nearby units.
Scorpion Man
Melee
The Scorpion man is a melee myth unit. Its special attack is poisoning an enemy, causing them to take a small amount of hack damage every second for 15 seconds after the attack.
The Mummy is a dual ranged/melee myth unit. Its special attack instantly kills any human unit and turns it into a minion. Minions are fairly tough melee units, but die after one minute.
The Avenger is a melee unit that is good against other melee units. Its special attack is a whirlwind of spinning blades that damages every adjacent unit. It has the bird-headed appearance of the god Horus; the name "Avenger" refers to his revenge upon the god Set for killing his father, Osiris.
The Phoenix is a flying myth unit with a fire spread attack. When killed, a Phoenix egg is created on the battlefield. Unless destroyed, a Phoenix can be retrained almost instantly from that location.
Ulfsarks are the basic Norse infantry unit. They have a higher attack than comparable Greek and Egyptian units and are good against cavalry units and can also build buildings.
Jarls are Elite cavalry units - they are very tough, but expensive and slow. Like other cavalry units, they are good against Archers, but the Jarl in particular also has bonus damage to myth units
Portable Rams are the generic Norse siege weapon. While they have to get close to buildings to attack, they have a large amount of pierce armour to withstand enemy fire, and are more affordable than Greek and Egyptian siege weapons.
Ballistas are not as good as Portable Rams at taking down buildings - but instead they are also fairly good against units, as well as having the advantage of long range.
Caravan
Economic unit
Caravans gather gold by making a trip between a market and a friendly town center. They are a good way of gaining gold once you have exhausted your gold mines.
Gatherer
Villager
Gatherers are essential to gathering resources that will fund your army. A strong empire has many villagers. Unlike Egyptian and Greek villagers, Norse Gatherers do not build structures; instead Norse Infantry (including the Hersir) have this ability.
Dwarves are similar to gatherers, however they gather gold 20% faster, and gather food and wood 20% slower - thus they are best used only for gold mining. In Norse Mythology, dwarfs are said to have evolved from maggots living inside the giant Ymir's stomach
Ox Cart
Economic unit
The Norse, unlike the Greeks and Egyptians, do not construct resource dropoff points. Instead they train ox carts at the town center. Ox Carts allow villagers to drop food, wood and gold in order to add them to your stockpile.
Boats
Unit
Unit Type
Description
Fishing Boat
Economic unit
Gathers fish. Fish boats gather food at a lower cost than farms and at a higher speed, however are easily destroyed by enemy warships.
Transport Ship
Transport unit
Transport ships carry land units over water. They are easily destroyed if not escorted by friendly units, and will lose their precious cargo if sunk.
The Dragon Boat is the Norse siege type ship. It not only counters arrow ships but is also effective at taking out shoreline fortifications due to its long range and high attack.
Hersir are the Norse hero units. They are not very tough against anything but myth units, but unlike other heroes are easy to mass produce. Hersir slowly generate favor on their own, and generate twice as much favor from combat than regular units.
Norse Titan
Titan
The Norse Titan is a huge, troll-like creature that wields a huge sledgehammer made of ice used to crush buildings. It is based on Ymir, said to have been the founder of the race of frost giants.
Hero of Ragnarok
Hero
The Ragnorok god power causes all controlled villagers and dwarves to become heroes. In Norse Mythology, Ragnarök refers to the prophecised battle in which the world will be destroyed.
Ravens are scouted units granted to players who worship Odin.[13] Historically, Hugin and Munin were two ravens who would travel the world bearing news and information to Odin.[14]
Valkyries are weak soldiers also capable of healing allied troops.[13] According to Norse mythology, Valkyries were war-maidens who escorted the dead to Valhalla.[15]
The Einherjar is a melee myth unit that is capable of raising allied units morale by blowing on a large horn.[13] In Norse mythology, Einherjar were spirits of warriors who had died in battle.[16]
Trolls are long ranged units capable of throwing large stones at the enemy.[13] In Scandinavian folklore, trolls were a race of giants, sometimes represented as goblins.[17]
Frost Giants are giants capable of freezing enemy units with their breath.[13] Historically, the Jotun were a mythological race with superhuman strength in Scandinavia.[18]
Fire Giants are powerful ranged attackers, hurling fireballs at enemy units from long range. They are the best Norse myth unit to destroy buildings.[13]
Battle Boar
Melee (also siege)
The Battle Boar is a fast unit capable of attacking units all around it.[13]
Fenris Wolves are wolves that are more powerful against enemies when fighting in packs.[13] Mythologically, Fenrir was a giant wolf, spawned by Loki and the giantess Angrboða. During Ragnarök, he is destined to consume Odin and be slain by Odin's son Viðarr.
The Kraken is a mythological beast capable of instantly killing an enemy unit.[13] Recently, the Giant Squid has been proposed as a potential cause of the Kraken myth.
The Jormund Elver is a fast beast with a long ranged spitting attack.[13] Mythologically, Jörmungandr (the World Serpent) was the middle child of Loki and the giantess Angrboða. The serpent was large enough to surround Midgard; and in Ragnarök, is destined to be slain by Thor, who himself dies - poisoned by the creature's venom.
Summoned by Hel's god power, the Nidhogg is a Norse myth unit.[13] Mythically named Níðhöggr, the Nidhogg was a serpent monster in Norse mythology responsible for eating away the roots of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. [19][20]
The Chieroballista is a siege unit which can work excellent against buildings and infantry. Similar to the Norse Ballista, it is more of a 'anti-personnel' weapon than a siege engine.
Fire Siphon
Siege unit
The Fire Siphon is a siege unit which attacks using streams of fire.
Llama Caravans gather gold by making a trip between a market and a friendly town center.
Citizen
Villager
The Atlantean Citizen is accompanied by a donkey. This donkey will act as a personal resource dropping point for the citizen, which allows them to be better economically, then the other civilizations; similar to the Palmyran villagers of Age of Empires: Rise of Rome.
Boats
Unit
Unit Type
Description
Fishing Boat
Economic unit
Gathers fish. Fishing boats gather food at a lower cost than farms and at a higher speed.
Transport Ship
Transport unit
Transport ships carry land units over water. If they are destroyed, any units garrisoned inside will also die.
The Bireme is an arrow ship, effective against ramming ships.
Fire Ship
Warship
This ship takes the place of the ram ship in the Atlantean fleet. Like that of its RoR and AoK counterparts, this ship will have to close in on its victim to let loose its stream of fire to destroy it.
Siege Bireme
Siege warship
The Siege Bireme is the Atlantean's siege ship, also countering arrow ships.
The Oracle is the Atlantean scout. However, it does not work like a normal scout does. While moving, the Oracle has almost no line of sight. However, as it stands still, its line of sight increases until it reaches a stage with a very large radius.
Upon using the Carnivora God Power, the Carnivora plant appears. It can be placed on both land and water, and has the special ability to eat any human or ship - instantly killing them.
The Dryad is a unit created at the Hesperides tree. They are strong agaist human soldiers, cost no population; however only five may be used at one time.
Tartarian Spawn are a strong, devastating gang of wolves that emerge from the Tartarian Gate god power and re-spawn once killed. Tartarian Spawn are effective against a wide range of mortal units, buildings and myth units. They will cease re-spawning upon the destruction of the Tartarian Gate.
Atlantean Titan
Titan
The titan depicted in Age of Mythology for the Atlanteans is Chthonian[22]. It has large gems on its back, and is made out of lava.
The Stymphalian Bird is a flying unit which has a ranged attack.
Heka Gigantes
Melee
Hekagigantes are multi-armed myth units which an advantage against buildings and infantry units. Their special attack is to smash the ground, causing minor earthquakes and causing enemy units to go flying in a large radius.
The Nereid is a naval myth unit especially effective against other myth units.[23] "The Nereid is a fairly run-of-the-mill sea myth unit. It's fairly strong against most mortal ships, but weak against ram ships."[24] Its special attack is to bite the enemy, causing extra damage.
Forkboy is a giant boy with a fork. This character has no historical basis and is available by sending the chat "TINES OF POWER".
Lazer Bear
Uber
Lazer Bear is a bear with a Canadianflag for a cape who likes liquid refreshment. Lazer Bear can shoot lasers from his eyes, or attack with monkeys. Lazer Bear has a huge amount of HP, is nearly invulnerable, is extremely fast, and regenerates. Lazer Bear has a large amount of data concerning him in the history, and is available by sending the chat "O CANADA".
Flying purple hippo
Flying unit (Melee attack)
The flying purple hippo is a purple hippopotamus with a top hat and wings that shoots hearts from its mouth at enemies below. It can also be noted that its shadow is in the shape of a heart, and its "footprints" are rainbows. It moves extremely fast, and can only be attacked by ranged units. It also has 99% armor. It has a description similar to that of the normal Hippopotamus but with comments added in all capitals and horrible spelling. It is available by sending the chat "WUV WOO".
Bella
Dog
Bella is a dog presumably based on a dog owned by one of the developers. Bella has 75% armor, is devastating against buildings, and has a vast amount of HP. Bella is stronger than Titans. Bella is available by sending the chat "BARKBARKBARKBARKBARK" in The Titans.
Methane Chicken
Wild animal
Methane Chickens are chickens that explode after some time or if they are killed. They are available by sending the chat "BAWK BAWK BOOM" and then invoking the Chicken Meteor god power.
Walking Berry Bush
Animated tree
Walking Berry Bushes are berry bushes that have been animated. They are weak, but unlike animated trees, they will leave the area where they were spawned. They are available by sending the chat "FEAR THE FORAGE" and then invoking the Walking Berry Bushes god power near some berry bushes.
Reception
Gamespot has called the units in Age of Mythology "fun-to-use."[25]About.com declares that the "most significant unit to come form Age of Mythology The Titans Expansion is the Titan unit itself. If you are fortunate enough to have the resources, these extremely expensive war machines can literally decide the outcome of the game, buy destroying virtually everything in their path."[26]
