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This article is about the unit in Age of Empires III. For the related unit in Age of Empires II, see Eagle Warrior.

Nobleman that flings javelins from an atlatl. Good against cavalry and Hand Shock Infantry.
—In-game description

The Eagle Runner Knight is a ranged shock infantry unit in Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs that is unique to the Aztecs and can be trained at the Nobles' Hut.

Overview[]

Eagle Runner Knights are a fast ranged shock infantry unit that substitutes for other civilizations' light cavalry. They are cheap and have a good attack and a decent range, but a poor siege attack. They are effective against heavy cavalry and hand shock infantry. They are vulnerable to long-range infantry like Skirmishers, and heavy infantry.

Note that like the mounted archers, these units attack twice as fast as most other light cavalry units with a Rate of Fire of 1.5 instead of 3.0.

Unlike other light cavalry, Eagle Runner Knights do not have a multiplier against artillery, but they do not get countered by artillery, since they are shock infantry, which is different from infantry.

Strategy[]

Eagle Runner Knights are fast units useful for assaults and rushes. It's useful to face cavalry and helps a lot to repel aggressive cavalry civilizations, like the Germans or the Lakota. The Eagle Runner cannot be used effectively for wholesale pillaging, due its very poor siege attack. This drawback makes the Eagle Runner only a support unit, while other siege units like Puma Spearmen or Arrow Knights take down enemy buildings. Also, the Eagle Runners are fairly cheap in comparison with ranged cavalry units, like the Dragoon. The best counter to Eagle Runners are Skirmishers, and other ranged infantry can be used against them too. Rodeleros make an excellent counter unit as well, due to their speed being equal and having a large bonus vs Eagle Runners.

Eagle Runner Knights are very population effective units once all the Home City combat cards have been sent. They are very similar to the Dutch Ruyter, but with more hit points, damage, range, and ranged resistance. These factors all combine to make the eagle knight one of the best anti-cavalry units in the game.

Upgrades[]

Age Upgrade Cost Effect
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Champion ranged infantry Champion Eagle Runner Knights 400 wood
200 coin
Upgrades Eagle Runner Knights to Champion (+25% hit points and attack)
Imperial Age
Legendary ranged infantry Legendary Eagle Runner Knights 1,500 wood
1,500 coin
Upgrades Eagle Runner Knights to Legendary (+50% hit points and attack); requires Champion Eagle Runner Knights

Further statistics[]

As Eagle Runner Knights are unique to the Aztecs, only technologies that they have access to are shown in the following table:

Unit strengths and weaknesses
Strong vs. Heavy cavalry, hand shock infantry
Weak vs. Infantry
Improvements
Hit points Comanche Horse Breeding Comanche Horse Breeding (+10%)
Cree Tanning Cree Tanning (+5%)
Navajo Weaving Navajo Weaving (+5%)
Tar kilns Tar Kilns (+5%)
Attack Seminole Bowyer Seminole Bowyer (+15%)
Carib Kasiri Beer Carib Kasiri Beer (+10%)
Tupi Poison Arrow Frogs Tupi Poison Arrow Frogs (+10%)
Armatoloi Armatoloi (+5%)
Yoga Yoga (+5%)
Clenched Fist Clenched Fist (+25% hand attack)
Carib Garifuna Drums Carib Garifuna Drums (+1.0 multiplier vs. villagers)
Resistance Sudanese quilted armor Sudanese Quilted Armor (+10% hand resistance)
Range Sarmatism Sarmatism (+1)
Line of Sight Sarmatism Sarmatism (+1)
Speed Apache Endurance Apache Endurance (+5%)
Train time Cheyenne Horse Trading Cheyenne Horse Trading (-40%)
Quechuan Diet Quechuan Diet (-15%)
Immigrants Immigrants (-10%)
Shaman drums Shaman Drums (-10%)
Cost Mapuche Ad-mapu Mapuche Ad-mapu (-10% coin cost)
Golden liberty Golden Liberty (-5% coin cost)
Other Cinteotl Worship Cinteotl Worship (ships 1 Eagle Runner Knight for every 2 minutes of the game time, up to 30 minutes)
Merritocracy Meritocracy (-20% upgrade cost)

Home City Cards[]

As Eagle Runner Knights are unique to the Aztecs, only their cards and other civilizations' TEAM cards are shown in the following tables:

Click for a list of Home City Cards related to the Eagle Runner Knight
Some cards are highlighted with:
Green TEAM Shipment that is sent to each player in a team
Blue Shipment that arrives fast (5 seconds)

All[]

Card Description Age
Team ranged infantry damage TEAM Senegalese Riflemen Ranged infantry get +10% attack; French and Hausa-only ranged infantry get +15% attack instead
Age III tech tree aoe3
  • "TEAM Senegalese Riflemen" is available to the French and Hausa.

Aztecs[]

Card Description Age
Aztec Home City 2 (5 Eagle Runner Knights) 5 Eagle Runner Knights Ships 5 Eagle Runner Knights
Age III tech tree aoe3
Aztec Home City 2 (9 Eagle Runner Knights) 9 Eagle Runner Knights Ships 9 Eagle Runner Knights
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Aztec Home City 2 (6 Eagle Runner Knights) 6 Eagle Runner Knights Ships 6 Eagle Runner Knights
Age III tech tree aoe3
Aztec Home City 2 (Scorched Earth) Scorched Earth Arrow Knights, Eagle Runner Knights, and Jaguar Prowl Knights get +50% siege attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Aztec Knight Hitpoints Knight Hitpoints Arrow Knights, Eagle Runner Knights, Jaguar Prowl Knights, and Skull Knights get +15% hit points
Age III tech tree aoe3
Aztec Knight Damage Knight Attack Arrow Knights, Eagle Runner Knights, Jaguar Prowl Knights, and Skull Knights get +15% attack
Age III tech tree aoe3
Aztec Knight Combat Knight Combat Arrow Knights, Eagle Runner Knights, Jaguar Prowl Knights, and Skull Knights get +15% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Aztec Home City 3 (Chichimeca Rebellion) Chichimeca Rebellion Turns all Puma Spearmen into Jaguar Prowl Knights, Coyote Runners into Eagle Runner Knights, and Otontin Slingers into Arrow Knights; villagers now turn into Warriors upon death; costs 1,000 food, 1,000 wood, 1,000 coin
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Spanish Home City 3 (Fencing School) Fencing School Infantry and shock infantry train time -40%
Age II tech tree aoe3
Aztec Home City 5 (Temple of Tlaloc Support) Temple of Tlaloc Support Ships 5 Eagle Runner Knights; Eagle Runner Knights get +4 Line of Sight and range; costs 500 coin
Age III tech tree aoe3
Aztec Home City 5 (Religious Unity) Religious Unity Zapotec and Maya Allies, Renegade Spanish, Recruit Buccaneers, and (Great) Temple Support shipments cost -25% to -50%
Age III tech tree aoe3
  • "Religious Unity" reduces "Temple of Tlaloc Support" cost by 50%.

Ethiopians[]

Card Description Age
Ethiopian Home City 2 (TEAM Coffee Consumption) TEAM Coffee Consumption Ranged infantry get +5% speed
Age IV tech tree aoe 3

Germans[]

Card Description Age
German Home City 2 (Cavalry Attack) TEAM Cavalry Attack Heavy cavalry, light cavalry, and shock infantry get +10% attack; Germans-only heavy cavalry, light cavalry, and shock infantry get +15% attack instead
Age II tech tree aoe3

Indians[]

Card Description Age
Shivajis tactics TEAM Shivaji's Tactics All units get +5% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3

Japanese[]

Card Description Age
Japanese Home City 3 (Cheaper Unit Upgrades) TEAM Sengoku Unit upgrades cost -20%
Age IV tech tree aoe 3

Lakota[]

Card Description Age
Sioux Home City 2 (Mustangs) TEAM Mustangs Cavalry and shock infantry cost -10%
Age III tech tree aoe3

Maltese[]

Card Description Age
Maltese Home City 2 (TEAM Knights of the Round Table) TEAM Knights of the Round Table Ships 1 Hospitaller for each Town Center owned by the player; all units get +2% hit points
Age I tech tree aoe3

Mexicans[]

Card Description Age
Mexican Home City 2 (TEAM Mariachi) TEAM Mariachi For the next 30 seconds, military buildings work 400% faster and units get +10% speed
Age I tech tree aoe3

Portuguese[]

Card Description Age
Portuguese Home City 2 (Early Dragoons) TEAM House of Aviz Dragoons, Ruyters, Cavalry Archers, Rifle Riders, Musket Riders, Yabusame, and Carbine Cavalry can be trained in the Commerce Age; Zamburak, Eagle Runner Knight, Bolas Warrior, Black Rider, and Ming Army train time -15%; Mongolian Army train time -7%
Age I tech tree aoe3

Russians[]

Card Description Age
Russian Home City 2 (Cavalry Scout) TEAM Kamchatka Expeditions Cavalry and shock infantry get +10% hit points and +4 Line of Sight
Age I tech tree aoe3

Spanish[]

Card Description Age
Spanish Home City 3 (Inquisition) TEAM Spanish Inquisition Ships 1 Inquisitor; all units get +10 Line of Sight
Age II tech tree aoe3

Aztecs[]

Card Description Age HC level
Aztec Home City 2 (5 Eagle Runner Knights) 5 Eagle Runner Knights Ships 5 Eagle Runner Knights
Age III tech tree aoe3
1
Aztec Home City 2 (9 Eagle Runner Knights) 9 Eagle Runner Knights Ships 9 Eagle Runner Knights
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
10
Aztec Home City 2 (6 Eagle Runner Knights) 6 Eagle Runner Knights Ships 6 Eagle Runner Knights
Age III tech tree aoe3
10
Aztec Home City 2 (Scorched Earth) Scorched Earth Arrow Knights, Eagle Runner Knights, and Jaguar Prowl Knights get +50% siege attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
10
Spanish Home City 2 (Hand Infantry Hitpoints) Knight Hitpoints Arrow Knights, Eagle Runner Knights, Jaguar Prowl Knights, and Skull Knights get +15% hit points
Age III tech tree aoe3
10
Iroquois Home City 2 (Infantry Attack) Knight Attack Arrow Knights, Eagle Runner Knights, Jaguar Prowl Knights, and Skull Knights get +15% attack
Age III tech tree aoe3
10
Iroquois Home City 2 (Infantry Combat) Knight Combat Arrow Knights, Eagle Runner Knights, Jaguar Prowl Knights, and Skull Knights get +15% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
25
Aztec Home City 5 (Temple of Tlaloc Support) Temple of Tlaloc Support Ships 8 Eagle Runner Knights; Eagle Runner Knights get +4 Line of Sight and range; costs 1,000 coin
Age III tech tree aoe3
10
Aztec Home City 5 (Religious Unity) Religious Unity Zapotec and Maya Allies, Renegade Spanish, Recruit Buccaneers, and (Great) Temple Support shipments cost -25% to -50%
Age III tech tree aoe3
40
  • "Religious Unity" reduces "Temple of Tlaloc Support" cost by 50%.

French[]

Card Description Age HC level
French Home City 2 (Ranged Infantry Attack) TEAM Ranged Infantry Attack Gunpowder infantry and archers get +15% attack
Age III tech tree aoe3
10

Germans[]

Card Description Age HC level
German Home City 2 (Cavalry Attack) TEAM Cavalry Attack Heavy cavalry, light cavalry, and shock infantry get +15% attack
Age II tech tree aoe3
10

Indians[]

Card Description Age HC level
Shivajis tactics TEAM Shivaji's Tactics All units get +5% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
25

Japanese[]

Card Description Age HC level
Japanese Home City 3 (Cheaper Unit Upgrades) TEAM Cheaper Unit Upgrades Unit upgrades cost -20%
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
1

Russians[]

Card Description Age HC level
Russian Home City 2 (Cavalry Scout) TEAM Cavalry Scouts Cavalry and shock infantry get +10% hit points and +4 Line of Sight
Age I tech tree aoe3
1

Spanish[]

Card Description Age HC level
Spanish Home City 3 (Inquisition) TEAM Inquisition All units get +10 Line of Sight
Age I tech tree aoe3
10

Changelog[]

The WarChiefs[]

  • Eagle Runner Knights have 30% ranged resistance and train in 37 seconds.

Definitive Edition[]

  • Eagle Runner Knights' ranged attack inaccuracy removed.

The African Royals[]

Knights of the Mediterranean[]

  • With update 13.27885, Eagle Runner Knights have 25% ranged resistance and train in 34 seconds.
  • With update 13.58326, Eagle Runner Knights have 20% ranged resistance and a ×0.75 ranged multiplier against infantry.
  • With update 14.43676, the Eagle Runner Knight in-game model was updated, and the Legendary Eagle Runner Knight upgrade received a new model.

History[]

Aztec warriors who had captured at least four enemy soldiers became eligible for the ranks of the eagle runner knight or the jaguar prowl knights. Presumably, this emphasis on capturing enemies was to collect a pool of captives for sacrifice, but the Aztec were also known for dealing death in battle, killing with single strokes of their obsidian swords, or hurling barbed spears with atlatls. Their own warriors who caused confusion or disorder in ranks were beaten on the spot and sometimes killed.

The dress of eagle runner knights incorporated feathers and a helmet resembling an eagle's head. The eagle was a symbol of the sun, the focus of Aztec worship and sacrifice. Eagle runner knights are usually depicted carrying shields and spears.

Gallery[]

Military units in Age of Empires III
Common/shared units
3Icon48px Age of Empires IIIExplorer aoe3de Explorer · Militiaman de Militiaman · Crossbow aoe3de Crossbowman · Pikeman aoe3de Pikeman · Halberdier de Halberdier · Musketeer icon aoe3de Musketeer · Skirmisher aoe3de Skirmisher · Grenadier de Grenadier · Hussar aoe3de Hussar · Dragoon aoe3de Dragoon · Cavalry archer portrait aoe3de updated Cavalry Archer · Falconet aoe3de Falconet · Culverin icon aoe3de Culverin · Mortar de Mortar · Heavy cannon de Heavy Cannon · Caravel aoe3de Caravel · Galleon aoe3de Galleon · Frigate aoe3de Frigate · Monitor aoe3de Monitor
3WCIcon48px The WarChiefsWarrior de Warrior · Horse art de Horse Artillery · Petard aoe3de Petard · Spy aoe3de portrait updated Spy · Native canoe aoe3de Canoe · War canoe aoe3de War Canoe · Ironclad aoe3de Ironclad
Age3DE Icon Definitive Edition*Captured mortar aoe3de Captured Mortar · Sloop aoe3de Sloop · Steamer aoe3de Steamer · Battleship portrait Battleship
The African RoyalsLevied spearman portrait aoe3de Levied Spearman · Levied bowman portrait aoe3de Levied Bowman · Levied gunner portrait aoe3de Levied Gunner · Javelin rider aoe3de Javelin Rider · Desert warrior portrait aoe3de Desert Warrior · Desert archer portrait aoe3de Desert Archer · Desert raider portrait aoe3de Desert Raider · Battle canoe portrait aoe3de Battle Canoe · Cannon boat portrait aoe3de Cannon Boat
Unique units
Flag BritishDE BritishLongbow aoe3de Longbowman · Ranger portrait Ranger · Rocket de Rocket
Flag DutchDE DutchRuyter de Ruyter · Fluyt aoe3de Fluyt
Flag FrenchDE FrenchCuirassier de Cuirassier
Flag GermanDE GermansGermans landwehr portrait Landwehr · Doppel de Doppelsoldner · Uhlan portrait aoe3de updated Uhlan · War wagon de War Wagon
Flag OttomanDE OttomansOttomans bashibozuk portrait Bashibozuk · Janissary aoe3de Janissary · Ottomans azap portrait Azap · Nizam icon Nizam Fusilier · Ottomans deli portrait Deli · Ottomans abus gunner portrait Abus Gunner · Ottomans humbaraci portrait Humbaraci · Great bombard de Great Bombard · Spy ottoman portrait Muhbir · Spahi de Sipahi · Galley aoe3de Galley
Flag PortugueseDE PortugueseOrdinance rifleman portrait Ordinance Rifleman · Cacador de Cassador · Organ aoe3de Organ Gun
Flag RussianDE RussiansStrelet de Strelet · Russians rekrut portrait aoe3de Rekrut · Russians poruchik portrait aoe3de Poruchik · Cossack de Cossack · Oprichink de Oprichnik
Flag SpanishDE SpanishRandelero de Rodelero · Lancer portrait aoe3de updated Lancer
Flag AztecDE AztecsAztecChief AoE3DE Aztec War Chief · Eagle scout aoe3de Eagle Scout · Coyote runner aoe3de Coyote Runner · Otontin slinger Otontin Slinger · Puma spearman de Puma Spearman · Arrow knight de Arrow Knight · Eagle runner knight de Eagle Runner Knight · Jaguar prowl knight de Jaguar Prowl Knight · Warrior priest de Warrior Priest · Skull knight aoe3de Skull Knight · Tlaloc aoe3de Tlaloc Canoe
Flag IroquoisDE HaudenosauneeIro warchief aoe3de Haudenosaunee War Chief · Aenna de Aenna · Tomahawk de Tomahawk · Forest prowler de Forest Prowler · Kanya de Kanya Horseman · Musket rider de Musket Rider · Ram aoe3de Ram · Iro mantlet de Mantlet · Light cannon de Light Cannon
Flag SiouxDE LakotaSx warchief aoe3de Lakota War Chief · Cetan de Cetan Bowman · Club warrior de Club Warrior · Wakina de Wakina Rifle · Axe rider de Axe Rider · Bow rider de Bow Rider · Rifle rider de Rifle Rider · Tashunke de Tashunke Prowler · Tokala soldier portrait updated Tokala Soldier
Flag ChineseDE ChineseShaolin master aoe3de Shaolin Master · Shaolin monk aoe3de Disciple · Sentry cn jp de Sentry · Irregular cn jp de Irregular · Chu ko nu aoe3de Chu Ko Nu · Qiang pikeman de Qiang Pikeman · Changdao de Changdao Swordsman · Arquebusier de Arquebusier · Steppe rider de Steppe Rider · Keshik de Keshik · Iron flail de Iron Flail · Meteor hammer de Meteor Hammer · Flamethrower de Flamethrower · Hand mortar de Hand Mortar · Flying crow de Flying Crow · Fire ship aoe3de Fire Junk · War junk aoe3de War Junk · Fuchuan aoe3de Fuchuan
Flag IndianDE IndiansBrahminDE Brahmin · Sentry IN de Sentry · Irregular IN de Irregular · Rajput de Rajput · Sepoy de Sepoy · Gurkha de Gurkha · Urumi de Urumi Swordsman · Sowar de Sowar · Zamburak mansabdar de Zamburak · Mahout de Mahout Lancer · Howdah aoe3de Howdah · Flail elephant de Flail Elephant · Siege elephant de Siege Elephant
Flag JapaneseDE JapaneseIkkoIkkiDE Sohei Archer · Sentry cn jp de Sentry · Irregular cn jp de Irregular · Yumi archer de Yumi Archer · Ashigaru de Ashigaru Musketeer · Samurai aoe3de Samurai · Naginata de Naginata Rider · Yabusame de Yabusame · Flaming arrow aoe3de Flaming Arrow · Morutaru de Morutaru · Daimyo kiyomasa aoe3de Daimyo · Tokugawa aoe3de Shogun Tokugawa · Yamabushi aoe3de Yamabushi · Shinobi aoe3de Shinobi · Fune aoe3de Fune · Atakabune aoe3de Atakebune · Tekkousen aoe3de Tekkousen
Flag IncanDE IncaInca-war-chief-icon-aoe3 Inca War Chief · Chasqui-icon-aoe3 Chasqui · Jungle-bowman-icon-aoe3 Jungle Bowman · Plumed-spearman-icon-aoe3 Plumed Spearman · Chimu-runner-icon-aoe3 Chimu Runner · DE Bolas Warrior Icon Bolas Warrior · Huaraca-icon-aoe3 Huaraca · Inca Maceman Icon Maceman · Chincha raft aoe3de Chincha Raft
Flag SwedishDE SwedesCarolean Carolean · Hakkapelit-icon-aoe3 Hakkapelit · Leather-cannon-icon-aoe3 Leather Cannon
Flag American act3 aoe3de United StatesUs general aoe3de General · Us marine aoe3de Minuteman · State militia aoe3de State Militia · Regular aoe3de Regular · Sharpshooter icon aoe3 Sharpshooter · Carbine cavalry aoe3de Carbine Cavalry · Gatlin de Gatling Gun · Quaker gun icon Quaker Gun · Gunslinger aoe3de Gunslinger · Cowboy aoe3de Cowboy · Owlhoot aoe3de Owlhoot
Flag MexicanDE MexicansGeneral mx portrait General · Padre revolution portrait Padre · Insurgente portrait Insurgente · Soldado portrait Soldado · Emboscador portrait Salteador · Chinaco portrait Chinaco · Desperado portrait Desperado · Vaquero portrait Cuatrero · Bandido portrait Bandido
Flag Ethiopian aoe3de EthiopiansRas portrait aoe3de Ras · Oromo warrior portrait aoe3de Oromo Warrior · Gascenya portrait aoe3de Gascenya · Shotel warrior aoe3de Shotel Warrior · Neftenya portrait aoe3de Neftenya · Sebastopol mortar portrait aoe3de Sebastopol Mortar · War dhow portrait aoe3de War Dhow
Flag Hausa HausaEmir aoe3de portrait Emir · Fulani Fulani Archer · Raider aoe3de portrait Raider · Lifidi knight aoe3de portrait Lifidi Knight · Maigadi aoe3de portrait Maigadi · Xebec portrait aoe3de Xebec
Flag ItalianDE ItaliansItalians pavisier portrait Pavisier · Italians bersagliere portrait Bersagliere · Italians papal guard portrait Papal Guard · Italians schiavone portrait Schiavone · Italians papal lancer portrait Papal Lancer · Italians papal zouave portrait Papal Zouave · Italians papal bombard portrait Papal Bombard · Italians leonardo tank portrait Leonardo's Tank · Galleass portrait Galleass
Flag MalteseDE MalteseAlain icon aoe3de Grand Master · Hospitaller portrait Hospitaller · Maltese sentinel portrait Sentinel · Hoop thrower aoe3de Fire Thrower · Order galley portrait Order Galley · SPC Fire ship aoe3de Fire Ship
Revolution Revolution
Barbarystates rev barbary warrior portrait aoe3de updated Barbary Warrior · Bolivar icon aoe3de Bolivar · Californio portrait Californio · Cetbang aoe3de Cetbang Cannon · Oruc Reis Icon Corsair Captain · Berber arquebusier aoe3de Corsair Marksman · Cruzob avenger portrait Cruzob Avenger · Cruzob infantry portrait Cruzob Infantry · Comanchero icon aoe3de Cuerudo · Rev france eclaireur portrait aoe3de Eclaireur · Filibuster aoe3de Filibuster · Gatlin de Gatling Gun · Comanchero icon aoe3de Gaucho · Comanchero icon aoe3de Jagunço · Java spearman aoe3de Javanese Spearman · Comanchero icon aoe3de Llanero · Militia Officer portrait Militia Officer · Comanchero icon aoe3de Morochuco · Mounted Granadero Portrait Mounted Granadero · Colonial militia aoe3de Revolutionary · Us volunteer icon Revolutionary Sharpshooter · San martin portrait San Martin · Covered wagon aoe3de Trek Wagon
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