Condottiero

The Condottiero (plural Condottieri) is an infantry unit that is unique to the Italian civilization in Age of Empires II: The Forgotten.

Tactics
Unlike other unique units, the Condottiero is only accessible in the Imperial Age and cannot be upgraded to a better unit (Elite Condottiero, for example). However, the Italians' Team Bonus allows the Condottiero to be trained as mercenaries at the ally's Barracks. Any civilization bonuses to infantry will propagate to Condottieri.

The Condottiero has a large attack bonus versus gunpowder-based units, and because of this, they are capable of taking down armies of Janissaries, Conquistadors or Hand Cannoneers who are usually paired with Halberdiers or Camels to take down cavalry. Condottieri, however, have no bonuses against Slingers.

Another advantage of the Condottiero is its bonus defence of +10 against anti-infantry units. This hidden defense bonus allows them to nullify the bonus attacks of Plumed Archers, Slingers and Hand Cannoneers. It also protects them to some extent from Jaguar Warriors and Cataphracts. Condottieri don't have any defense as unique units, though and thus take full damage from Samurais. Due to their parallels, the Condottiero elicits comparisons to the Cataphract.

Condottieri move fast, have decent hack and pierce armour and high hitpoints. They are also created extremely quickly. Their high gold cost, however, makes them an expensive unit to field. Skirmishers are much more efficient at dealing with gunpowder units on a cost basis, while siege units excel in general combat; limiting the Condottiero's use to an emergency counter to gunpowder.

Since they require only a Castle and an Italian ally, Condottieri can be used as an expensive substitute for Champions. This can occur in situations where the player hasn't upgraded to Champions or if the player's civilization doesn't have access to them (Persians, Huns, Ethiopians and Mayans).

Civilizations bonuses
Due to the fact that the Condottiero is a shared unique unit because of the Italian team bonus, civilizations with bonuses for Infantry transfer to their shared Condottieri when allied with Italians.


 * Aztecs: Condottieri are produced +15% faster.
 * Celts: Condottieri move 15% faster, herdables cannot be stolen within a unit's Line of Sight.
 * Chinese: Technologies that benefit Condottieri are 10%/15%/20% cheaper in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age.
 * Goths: Condottieri are 35% cheaper and have +1 attack vs buildings.
 * Japanese: Condottieri attack 25% faster.
 * Spanish: Blacksmith upgrades for Condottieri don't cost gold.
 * Vikings: Condottieri + 10%/15%/20%  HP in Feudal/Castle/Imperial age.
 * Magyars: get Forging, Iron Casting and Blast Furnace for free that upgrades the attack for Condottieri.
 * Slavs: have Tracking upgrade for free.
 * Malians: Condottieri get +1 pierce armor per each age advancement.
 * Portuguese: Condottieri costs 15% less gold.

Team Bonuses

 * A team containing Goths: Condottieri train 20% faster
 * A team containing Teutons: Condottieri are more resistant to conversion.

History
Condottieri (singular condottiero and condottiere) were the leaders (or warlords) of the professional, military free companies (or mercenaries) contracted by the Italian city-states and the Papacy, from the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance.

Trivia

 * Condottieri are the only infantry units that don't get a bonus against Eagle Warriors alongside the Kamayuks, units of the Spearman line and other Eagle Warriors.
 * Japanese Condottieri are tied with Samurais as melee units with the fastest attacking rate (attacking once every 1.425 seconds).
 * Gothic Condottieri are the second fastest training units in Age of Empires II, after the Ethiopian Shotel Warriors.