Eagle Scout

Eagle Scouts are a new introduction in Age of Empires II: The Forgotten and are available in the Castle Age to only the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas. The mesoamerican civs now get one of these units as their scout instead of an Eagle Warrior. They are a new stage of the Eagle infantry units preceding the Eagle warrior. Their unit graphics are exactly the same as the Eagle warrior in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors and now their upgrades Eagle Warrior and Elite Eagle Warrior have their own new and distinctive graphics.

Tactics
Eagle Scouts move quickly, have a long line of sight, and have conversion resistance and bonus damage against Monks. They also have a bonus against siege weapons and a small anti-cavalry bonus; however, almost every other infantry unit deals bonus damage against Eagle units. Essentially, they help compensate for the Aztecs', Mayans' and Incas' lack of cavalry. They can perform raids and help to counter Cavalry units and ranged units like the siege, archers and monks.

Since mesoamerican civilizations have this unit instead of a Scout Cavalry, exploring the map becomes significantly different for those civilizations as Eagle Scouts are slower than a Scout Cavalry but have an extensive Line of Sight. Since these units can be trained only in Castle and Imperial age, it is important to be careful when scouting with this unit to prevent losing it. Also researching Tracking and Squires is important for mesoamerican civilizations when scouting with this unit.

Civilization Bonuses

 * Aztecs: Eagle Scouts are produced +15% faster.
 * Mesoamerican civilizations receive an Eagle Scout as explorer.

Team bonuses

 * A team containing Goths produce Eagle Scouts 20% faster.
 * A team containing Teutons make Eagle Scouts are more resistant to conversion.

The African Kingdoms Changes

 * Eagle warrior upgrade cost changed from 300f/200g to 200f/200g
 * Eagle warrior speed from 1.1 to 1.2 (Eagle scout is 1.1, Elite Eagle Warrior is 1.3)
 * Incas Couriers technology now gives +1/+2 armor instead of +10% movement speed
 * Eagle Scouts now available in Feudal Age

History
"The Aztecs prized fighting skills, and soldiers earned increased status in society through distinction in combat and promotion in rank. One of the higher ranks was that of Eagle Warrior. These fighters wore great colorful headdresses made of eagle feathers and costumes that enhanced their military bearing. Because they were lightly armored and unencumbered, they were able to move quickly. They were the fast, light troops of the Aztec armies, quickly pouncing on enemies. However, they proved to be at a great disadvantage in combat against Europeans wearing steel armor and using steel weapons. The best of the Eagle warriors were promoted to Elite status. These were the champions of the Eagle Warrior formations and led the attempts to disable and capture enemies."