Ever dreamed of seeing Joan of Arc leading Roman Centurions into battle, or Hannibal Barca deploying Japanese Samurai to sack Rome? With the latest update to Age of Empires Mobile, these scenarios are now possible thanks to the exciting new Mercenary Troops system.
Starting at level 26, players can unlock the Mercenary Camp, a new structure that allows you to contract and recruit powerful units from outside your faction. Not only can you hire these mercenaries, but you can also unlock and upgrade technologies to enhance their combat effectiveness. To sweeten the deal, you can secure your first mercenaries for free through a new event that's currently live.
The Mercenary Troops system introduces a diverse range of units to the battlefield, 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 unlockable technology that further boosts their already formidable abilities.
The introduction of the Mercenary Troops system brings a Total War vibe to Age of Empires Mobile, reminiscent of overwhelming enemies with hired swords in classics like Rome: Total War and Medieval II. While this addition might stir mixed feelings among players, with some concerned about potential balance issues, it undoubtedly adds a thrilling layer of strategy and customization to the game.
As players begin to experiment with the Mercenary Troops system, it will be interesting to see how it impacts gameplay. There's even speculation about future additions, like historical units such as the Landsknechts. Only time will tell how this system evolves.
For those looking to get started, our guides for Age of Empires Mobile can help you identify the best heroes to unlock. Check out our tier list, which ranks all Age of Empires Mobile heroes by power, to ensure you're not wasting your resources on less effective characters.
