Andean Sling is a technology in Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten that is unique to the Incas and can be researched at the Castle. Once researched, it adds +1 attack on Slingers and removes the minimum range from Skirmishers, Slingers, and Genitours.
Strategy[]
Andean Sling is a useful technology, solving one of the main weaknesses of Skirmishers and Slingers. Any respectable Incan army will be using Slingers, and often a few Skirmishers, so generally it is a technology worth researching. If given proper support by melee units, it becomes irrelevant, however, as the troops will never have to fight at extremely close range. It is still generally worth researching, so that in case the melee units die or something slips past them, the range support can easily hold its own.
Andean Sling also provides +1 attack to Slingers, making them more useful in late game situations, especially against infantry.
Team bonuses[]
Portuguese: Researching Andean Sling is 25% faster.
Changelog[]
Dynasties of India[]
- With update 81058, Andean Sling now additionally provides +1 attack to Slingers.
History[]
In ancient Andean civilizations such as the Inca Empire, slings were made from llama wool. These slings typically have a cradle that is long and thin and features a relatively long slit. Andean slings were constructed from contrasting colours of wool; complex braids and fine workmanship can result in beautiful patterns. They are also used by llama herders; the animals will move away from the sound of a stone landing. The stones are not slung to hit the animals, but to persuade them to move in the desired direction.
The sling was used in the Americas for hunting and warfare. One notable use was in Incan resistance against the conquistadors. These slings were apparently very powerful; in "1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus", historian Charles C. Mann quoted a conquistador as saying that an Incan sling "could break a sword in two pieces" and "kill a horse". Some slings spanned as much as 2.2 meters long and weighed an impressive 410 grams.
