This article is about the civilization in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors. For other uses, see Aztecs. |
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The Aztecs' civilization music theme in the Definitive Edition The Aztecs are a Native American civilization introduced in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors. They focus on infantry and Monks. Their unique unit is the Jaguar Warrior, the highest rank of warrior in the Aztec army, wielding a wooden club studded with obsidian sharp shards. The Jaguar Warrior is thus a heavy infantry unit which is strong against other infantry units. Their Castle Age unique technology, Atlatl, represents a tool employed by hunters and Warriors that was used for throwing spears or javelins. Their Imperial Age unique technology, Garland Wars, references the "flower wars" which the Aztecs organized among their allies in order to provide more sacrifices. The Aztecs were also known as a hard working and innovative civilization, and their Villagers carry more resources (and got the Loom technology free before The Forgotten). Being a highly military civilization, the Aztecs also have a general creation speed bonus across the board for all their military units. They were famous for their bloody and ardent faith, with their Relics generating extra gold and their Monks receiving extra HP per each Monastery technology researched, allowing their Monks to join other soldiers on the battlefield. The Aztecs did not have horses or gunpowder. Thus, they completely lack Stables (and with it the entire cavalry branch) and cannons. Also, they start random map games with an Eagle Scout (an Eagle Warrior in The Conquerors) as a scouting unit instead of a Scout Cavalry. ContentsOverview[edit | edit source]The Aztecs are a Native American civilization. As such, they lack any access to horses and with it, access to cavalry, including Cavalry Archers. They possess some of the strongest infantry, despite lacking Halberdiers. Their archers are below average without Thumb Ring and Ring Archer Armor, but their Skirmishers are still very strong with Atlatl. The Aztecs are strong in the siege weapon department with Siege Rams, Siege Onagers, and Siege Engineers. Their navy is weak, lacking almost everything apart from the fully upgradable Fast Fire Ship. But their Monks are the best in the game with access to all religious technologies and an extra 5 HP for every one researched. Their defenses are below average. The Aztec economy is one of the strongest in the game, due to their villagers carrying +5 resources. Campaign appearances[edit | edit source]The Aztecs have a campaign devoted to their civilization: Montezuma. They also make a brief appearance in the Dos Pilas scenario. Characteristics[edit | edit source]Unique unit[edit | edit source]
Unique technologies[edit | edit source]
Civilization bonuses[edit | edit source]
Team bonus[edit | edit source]Changelog[edit | edit source]The Conquerors[edit | edit source]
The Forgotten[edit | edit source]
The African Kingdoms[edit | edit source]
Definitive Edition[edit | edit source]
In-game dialogue language[edit | edit source]Historically, the Aztecs spoke Classical Nahuatl, an Uto-Aztecan language related to Comanche among others. In-game, however, Aztec units seem to speak an unrelated Mayan language, though not the one spoken by the Mayans (Kʼicheʼ). For example, female lumberjacks say ajsi, which means "wood worker" in some Mayan languages like Yucatec (si means "wood", aj- is a prefix denoting profession). Fisherwomen say ajkix, formed by the same prefix aj- and kix, the word for "fish" in another Mayan language, Mam. Finally, builders say ajtsaq, which means "bricklayer" in several Mayan languages including Kaqchikel. The language used could be an unidentified Mayan language, or possibly a mix of Yucatec, Kaqchikel, Kʼicheʼ, Mam and others. Note: Spelling speculative
AI player names[edit | edit source]When playing a random map game against the computer, the player may encounter any of the following Aztec AI characters:
History[edit | edit source]Political control of the populous and agriculturally rich central valley of Mexico fell into confusion after 1100. Gradually assuming ever-greater power were the Aztecs, probably a northern tribe that had migrated to the valley and occupied a minor town on the shore of the great central lake. They were a society that valued the skills of warriors above all others, and this emphasis gave them an advantage against rival tribes in the region. By the end of the 15th century, the Aztecs controlled all of central Mexico as a military empire that collected tribute from rivals. The Aztec culture drew upon the experience of those that came before it and invented little that was new. They had an advanced agriculture that supported a very large population. They built immense buildings of grand design and flourished in many arts. They were adept metal workers, but had no iron. Lacking any suitable draft animal, they made no motive use of the wheel. One of the distinctive features of the Aztec culture was its penchant for sacrifice. Aztec myths dictated that human blood be fed to the Sun to give it the strength to rise each day. Human sacrifices were conducted on a grand scale; several thousand in a single day were not uncommon. Victims were often decapitated or flayed, and hearts were cut from living victims. Sacrifices were conducted at the top of tall pyramids to be close to the sun and blood flowed down the steps. Although the Aztec economy was based primarily on corn (or maize), the people believed that crops depended on the regular provision of sacrificial blood. The incessant demand for sacrificial victims meant that the Aztecs tolerated loose control over satellite cities because frequent revolts offered opportunities for capturing new victims. During times of peace, “garland wars” were arranged strictly as contests of courage and warrior skill, and for the purpose of capturing victims. They fought with wooden clubs to maim and stun, rather than kill. When fighting to kill, the clubs were studded with obsidian blades. Despite their great agriculture and arts, the Aztecs appear in retrospect to have been a waning society. They passed on no significant technology or ideas of religion or political theory. Their civilization was brought to an abrupt end by the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century. Already devastated by European disease passed by early traders, they fell to a small Spanish army armed with steel weapons, firearms, and riding a few horses. The cruelty of the Aztecs contributed to their downfall by making it easy for the Spanish to enlist allies among the non-Aztecs in Mexico.[1] Trivia[edit | edit source]
Gallery[edit | edit source]The Wonder of the Aztecs, the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan The Aztec user interface Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, as seen in Broken Spears Aztecs preview in the Definitive Edition Add a photo to this gallery Video overview[edit | edit source]References[edit | edit source]
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