Macehualtin

The Macehualtin is the basic Aztec ranged infantry unit features in Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs.

Overview
Macehualtin is a unit with a decent attack, acceptable range and a very fast rate of attack. It is best used against heavy infantry units. Provided with a cotton vest, a sling and a shield, it is the weakest and least expensive Aztec unit. They are featured in Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs. They are similar to the Russian Strelet, though they are more expensive and are slightly powerful. The Macehualtin is best used in the Colonial Age when the majority of armies are composed of Infantry. In the later ages the Macehualtin can be defeated easily by Cavalry and Artillery, though they can still be very useful against heavy infantry units, especially if well protected.

The Macehualtin is the second weakest and cheapest infantry unit overall in the game, being stronger than the Strelet but weaker then the Qiang Pikeman.

Home City cards
As the Macehualtin is exclusive to the Aztecs, only other civilizations' TEAM cards that affects them are listed here. {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;" ! sab="1148" | Click for a list of related Home City cards
 * - sab="1147"
 * - sab="1149"
 * sab="1150" |

Aztecs

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History
"In Aztec society, membership in the calpulli established each individual's religious and secular schooling, as well as how they would be trained in warfare. The men of a calpulli served together in battle and on the numerous public works projects. Their soldiers wielded weapons of wood and stone, and they often sought prisoners to be sacrificed in religious ceremonies. The macehualtin, who comprised the majority of the Aztec population, labored as farmers, tradesmen, and merchants. During times of war and conquest, they took up arms as needed."

Trivia

 * The sling used by the Macehualtin was known as Tematlatl, which is made of agave fibers, better known for being the ingredient for tequila drink, and throws egg-shaped projectiles known as "glands" made of dry mud with obsidian leaves inside.
 * The armor worn by the Macehualtin was known as Ichcahuīpīlli, which is made of cotton and salt; the latter was applied by immersing the armor in saltwater and dried multiple times, and worn under the Aztec warriors' decorative suits.
 * The shield used by the Macehualtin is known as Chīmalli, which is made of wood with complex decorative components, sometimes with gold depending on the Aztec warrior's rank.
 * The weapon used by the Macehualtin while melee attacking is called Quauholōlli, a hammer made of a wood stick with a stone, bronze or hardwood ball in the end.
 * Champion/Legendary Macehualtins resembles the Papalotl, a military rank higher than Macehualtin given to those with 3 captives and is distinguished by the butterfly decorations in their back (Papalotl means "butterfly" in Classical Nahuatl).