Algiers

Algiers
Scenario information
Game	Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Campaign	Historical Battles
Civilization	Barbary Pirates
Color	Blue
Setting information
Protagonist	Hizir Reis Oruc Reis
Enemy	Spanish
Year	1516
Map

Algiers is the first Historical Battle in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition. It is based on the historical battle between the Barbary Pirates and the Spanish Empire in the 16th century around the city of Algiers in modern-day Algeria.

Summary

“

In the 16th century privateering the Mediterranean flourished as a result of the staunch rivalry between the Ottoman Empire and the European Christian states. Famous Barbary corsairs like Hayreddin Barbarossa and his brothers gained infamy because of their great success while privateering. In 1516 the brothers managed to take the city of Algiers, deposing its former ruler, and creating their own Barbary pirate state. However, the Spanish were not going to let a pirate state exist so close to their homeland and sent a large army to deal with the Barbary threat and acquire the city of Algiers.

”

Opening

Instead of being preceded by a cutscene, the scenario jumps straight into gameplay, showing the Barbary Pirates' fort being attacked by two groups of Spanish infantry and a Caravel. In the fort are Hizir and Oruc Reis, 5 Outposts, 2 Barracks, an Artillery Foundry, a Mosque, and a Market, along with several Barbary Corsairs, Berber Archers, Berber Spearmen, Settlers, Houses, and fort walls.

Until the player completes the first secondary objective, they will not have access to the Home City in this scenario and will not be able to send shipments.

Scenario instructions

Starting conditions

• Starting Age: Commerce Age
• Ending Age: Fortress Age
• Starting resources: 850 food, 850 wood, 750 coin
• Population limit: 200
• Starting units:
  • Hizir Reis
  • Oruc Reis
  • 19 Berber Archers
  • 10 Barbary Corsairs
  • 8 Berber Spearmen
  • 5 Settlers
  • 2 Galleys (3 on Easy)
  • 1 Privateer

Objectives

Primary objectives

• Do not lose your Town Center.
• Destroy the three Spanish camps surrounding Algiers.
  • Destroy all four Spanish Forts.

Secondary objectives

• Destroy the blockade (Reward: Home City access).
• Earn 15,000 XP to obtain Ottoman help.
• Liberate the Algerian villages.
• Recapture the silver mine. (1,000 XP)
• Destroy the Spanish Weapon Caches. (1,000 XP)

Players

Player

• Barbary Corsairs ( Barbary Pirates): In the fortified and besieged city, the player starts with Hizir and Oruc Reis, 5 Outposts, 2 Barracks, an Artillery Foundry, a Mosque, and a Market, along with several Barbary Corsairs, Berber Archers, Berber Spearmen, Settlers, Houses, and fort walls.

Ally

• Ottoman Allies ( Ottomans): They come to help the player once he gets the 15,000 experience points. They consist of 25 Janissaries, 5 Falconets, 2 Galleons and 3 Galleys.
• Local Algerians ( Barbary Pirates): These represent the various Algerian villages occupied by the Spanish.

Enemies

• The Spanish Army ( Spanish): The Spanish Army has two fortified bases in the north and the west and various camps on the outskirts of Algiers.
• The Spanish Armada ( Spanish): The Spanish Armada has one fortified base near Algiers in the south of the map and various Galleons and Frigates besieging the player's city and preventing the player from receiving shipments from the Home City.

Strategy

The Spanish surround the city in several disparate encampments. The player's initial forces can clear a few, using the heroes to tank most of the enemy fire. The Spanish also hold Algerian troops as prisoners across several sites in the map. The player should free them to bolster their troops quickly.

Shipments are blocked until the Spanish ships blocking the path east (two Caravels on Easy, three Caravels and two Galleons on Hard) are destroyed, as well as some of the Spanish ships near the Docks in the south are sunk. For the former, the player can simply use the Broadside Attack ability and retreat to the Docks a few times. Fighting ships in the open waters in the south will require more micromanagement and can be eased by getting the warship technologies at the Dock.

Once enough XP has been gained, the Ottomans agree to help, and send it in the form of 5 Abus Gunners, 20 Janissaries, and 5 Falconets spawning in the western part of the map, and 3 Galleys and 2 Galleons spawning in the water at the southwest part of the map.

Gallery

Bird's-eye view of Algiers in the 16th century, showing the Peñón attached to the city by a dam.

A portrait of Hayreddin Barbarossa (Hizir Reis).