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in: Age of Empires III, Explorers, Gunpowder infantry, Melee infantry heroes
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Explorer (Age of Empires III)

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This article is about the unit in Age of Empires III. For the similar unit in Age of Empires: Return of Rome, see Explorer (Age of Empires).

“ The leader of your colony. Explores, fights, builds Town Centers and Trading Posts. Cannot die. If he falls unconscious, he can be rescued. ”
—In-game description

The Explorer is a hero in Age of Empires III. It explores uncharted areas of the map and has some special abilities to help itself and its colony. In standard random map games, all European civilizations, except the Maltese, start with an Explorer. The Maltese start with a Grand Master instead.

Overview[]

The Explorer can build Town Centers and Trading Posts. This allows the player a second attempt at rebuilding if their original colony was destroyed, provided that they have enough resources to build one and train Settlers (except for the Ottomans, who get Yörüks for free). He builds a Trading Post faster than regular Settlers, nearing that of a Coureur des Bois or a Settler Wagon.

The Explorer can explore and fight longer if he has a few units accompanying him. He can regenerate hit points, which increases as the player Ages up. Explorers are very ineffective at raiding enemy settlements early in the game, as they only deal 25% damage against villager-type units. They are also very weak against Spies and Ninja.

Unlike other units who simply die when their hit points reach 0, the Explorer will collapse. While the Explorer is in this state, the player can either pay 100 coin as ransom to whoever dealt the final blow (including Mother Nature) or help him back up on his feet with an allied unit or building (this also includes projectiles fired from friendly units); in order to rescue the Explorer, he must have at least 100 hit points.

Some treasures, such as "El Pollo Guapo", provide additional stats, such as a speed boost or hit point boost, which stack with other treasures and technologies.

Every European civilization has a unique Home City Card for their Explorer, which improves his fighting ability and sends him a companion Explorer Dog. The Spanish Explorer, already having War Dogs of his own, does not get an Explorer Dog; instead it boosts the hit points and attack of his War Dogs.

Special abilities[]

  • Sharpshooter Attack: The Explorer fires a shot that does 750 ranged damage to the target treasure guardian. 60 seconds cooldown.
  • Eye of the Assassin (available on the Industrial Age): The Explorer fires a shot that does 475 (with a ×0.01 multiplier against MercType2) ranged damage to the target enemy infantry or cavalry. 90 seconds cooldown.
  • Spyglass: The Portuguese Explorer reveals a radius of 18 (24 if the "Navigator" Home City Card is sent) centered on the target location for 5 seconds. 90 seconds cooldown (shared across all Portuguese Explorers if the "Bandeirantes" card is sent).
  • Hot Air Balloon (requires the "Hot Air Balloon" card in the original Age of Empires III or The Inventor Commerce Age politician in the Definitive Edition): The Explorer spawns a Hot Air Balloon that remains for 20 seconds. 240 seconds cooldown.
  • Swashbuckler Attack (requires the "Captain" card): The British Explorer performs a sweeping hand attack that does 100 (with a ×0.25 multiplier against villagers and MercType2) hand damage to the target enemy and other enemies in a radius of 3 around the Explorer. 90 seconds cooldown.
  • Heavy Strike (requires the "Duelist" card): The Swedish Explorer lands a powerful blow with the sword that does 30 (with a ×20.0 multiplier against treasure guardians) hand damage to the target enemy. 30 seconds cooldown.
  • Heal (requires the "Voyageur" card): The French Explorer restores 400 hit points to friendly units in a radius of 10 centered on the target location. 120 seconds cooldown.
  • Health Regeneration: Regenerates hitpoints when idle (0.25% per second after 3.5 seconds idle).

Upgrades[]

The Explorer is automatically upgraded on each Age starting from the Commerce Age.

  • +25% hit points and damage
  • +30% hit points and damage
  • +40% hit points and damage
  • +50% hit points

The attack increase also applies to the Explorer's special abilities.

Civilization differences[]

At the start of the game each civilization has a small bonus:

Further statistics[]

Unit strengths and weaknesses
Strong vs. Treasure guardians
Weak vs. Villagers, cavalry, MercType2
Improvements
Hit points Aztec Initiation (+100%)
Sikh Gurus (+50%)
Flint Lock (+10%)
Cree Tanning (+5%)
Navajo Weaving (+5%)
Tar Kilns (+5%)
Knighthood (+1,000)
Peerage (+1,000)
Attack Aztec Initiation (+100%)
Haudenosaunee Lacrosse (+10%)
Paper Cartridge (+10%)
Smokeless Powder (+10%)
Yoga (+5%)
Clenched Fist (+25% hand attack)
Peerage (+100% ranged and hand attack)
Resistance Somali Oryx Hide Shields (+5% ranged resistance)
Speed Tilly's Discipline (+20%; Germans only)
Military Drummers (+10%)
Quechuan Mountaineering (+10%)
Akan Fontomfrom (+5%)
Apache Endurance (+5%)
Line of Sight Town Watch (+3)
Other Carib Ambush Party (can train Carib Ambushers)
Loyal Nootka War Chief (can train Nootka War Chief)
Tupi Animal Lore (can train Buttercup the Pet Cougars)

Home City Cards[]

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

Shared
Card Description Age
TEAM Senegalese Riflemen Ranged infantry damage +10%; French and Hausa-only ranged infantry damage +15% instead
  • "TEAM Senegalese Riflemen" is available to the French and Hausa.
British
Card Description Age
Captain Delivers 1 Explorer's Dog; hero hit points and damage +50%; the Explorer gets the Swashbuckler ability
Chinese
Card Description Age
TEAM Yongle Infrastructure Delivers 1 Mongol Scout; infantry, land villager, healing unit, Envoy, and Disciple speed +5%
  • "TEAM Yongle Infrastructure" does not stack with the Inca "TEAM Inca Bridges" card.
Dutch
Card Description Age
Stadhouder Delivers 1 Explorer's Dog; hero hit points and damage +50%; Town Center wood cost -50%
TEAM Infantry Hitpoints Infantry hit points +10%; Dutch-only infantry hit points +15% instead
Ethiopians
Card Description Age
TEAM Coffee Consumption Ranged infantry speed +5%
Europeans
Card Description Age
Bandeirantes Delivers 1 additional Explorer; removes the ransom cooldown for Explorers
Hot Air Balloons The Explorer gets the Hot Air Balloon ability
Castrametation Delivers 1 Fort Wagon; Fort build limit +1; enables the Explorer to build Outposts and Forts
Corsair Captain Delivers 1 Corsair Captain; Corsair Marksmen, Corsair Captain, Barbary Warriors, and Explorers are able to gather crates; grants greater resource rewards from treasure and coin from destroyed ships and buildings instead of kill XP
Turku Academy Delivers 1 additional Explorer and 4 Surgeons; Explorers get the Heal ability; enables Explorers to build Field Hospitals and train Surgeons
Wanderlust Land military and land villager hit points +5%; land villager and construction wagon speed +5% (can be sent 3 times)
Hero of the Two Worlds The Explorer acts like an Inspiring Flag; enables the General to receive Home City shipments
  • "Bandeirantes" is available to the Portuguese, and also Dutch and Italians upon revolting to Brazil.
  • "Hot Air Balloons" is not available to the French.
  • "Corsair Captain" is available to the Italians, Ottomans, and Portuguese upon revolting to the Barbary States.
  • "Turku Academy" is available to the Russians and Swedes upon revolting to Finland.
  • "Wanderlust" is available to the British and Dutch upon revolting to South Africa.
  • "Hero of the Two Worlds" is available to the British, Dutch, French, Italians, and Swedes upon revolting to the United States.
French
Card Description Age
Voyageur Delivers 1 Explorer's Dog; hero hit points and damage +50%; the Explorer gets the Heal ability
Aerostatic Corps The Explorer gains the ability to use a temporary Hot Air Balloon for reconnaissance; Hot Air Balloons can be called more often and can stay longer in the air
Germans
Card Description Age
Buergermeister Delivers 1 Explorer's Dog; hero hit points and damage +50%; the Explorer build work rate for Town Center and Trading Post +100%
Haudenosaunee
Card Description Age
TEAM Scout Infantry Delivers 1 Native Scout; infantry Line of Sight +8
Inca
Card Description Age
TEAM Inca Bridges Delivers 1 Chasqui; infantry, land villager, healing unit, and Envoy speed +5%
  • "TEAM Inca Bridges" does not stack with the Chinese "TEAM Yongle Infrastructure" card.
Indians
Card Description Age
TEAM Shivaji's Tactics Unit hit points and damage +5%
Italians
Card Description Age
Machiavellianism Delivers 1 Explorer's Dog; hero hit points and damage +50%; the Explorer speed +25%, now picks up treasures nearly instantly
Infantry Hitpoints Infantry hit points +15%
Schiavoni Swords Infantry, cavalry, and shock infantry all melee attack damage +15%
Maltese
Card Description Age
TEAM Knights of the Round Table Delivers 1 Hospitaller for each Town Center and Command Post present on the map; unit hit points +2%
Mexicans
Card Description Age
TEAM Mariachi For the next 30 seconds, military building training and research work rate +400%, unit speed +10%
Ottomans
Card Description Age
Agha Delivers 1 Explorer's Dog; hero hit points and damage +50%; the Explorer speed +1.0
Portuguese
Card Description Age
Navigator Delivers 1 Explorer's Dog; hero hit points and damage +50%; Explorer's Spyglass ability Area of Effect +6
TEAM Gunpowder Infantry Hitpoints Gunpowder trooper hit points +15%
Russians
Card Description Age
Polar Explorer Delivers 1 Explorer's Dog; hero hit points and damage +50%; Explorer bonus damage against treasure guardians +2.0
Ransack Infantry siege attack damage +50%
Spanish
Card Description Age
Conquistador Hero hit points and damage +50%; War Dog hit points and damage +20%
TEAM Fencing Instructor Hero hit points and damage +20% (except Shaolin Masters' Roundhouse Kick attack and Sohei Archers' Sabotage attack)
Peninsular Guerrillas Ranged infantry damage +20%, musket infantry damage +10% instead; Skirmishers now see the Line of Sight of enemies they attacked for 3 seconds
TEAM Spanish Inquisition Delivers 1 Inquisitor; military and economic unit Line of Sight +10
Swedes
Card Description Age
Duelist Delivers 1 Explorer's Dog; hero hit points and damage +50%; the Explorer gets the Heavy Strike ability

British
Card Description Age HC level
Captain Heroes get +50% hit points and attack; the Explorer can use Swashbuckler Attack; also ships an Explorer Dog
1
Dutch
Card Description Age HC level
Stadhouder Heroes get +50% hit points and attack; Town Centers cost -50% wood; also ships an Explorer Dog
1
TEAM Infantry Hitpoints Infantry get +15% hit points
10
Europeans
Card Description Age HC level
Hot Air Balloon The Explorer can summon a Hot Air Balloon to explore the map for a limited time
10
French
Card Description Age HC level
Voyageur Heroes get +50% hit points and attack; the Explorer can use Heal; also ships an Explorer Dog
1
TEAM Ranged Infantry Attack Gunpowder trooper and archers get +15% attack
10
Germans
Card Description Age HC level
Buergermeister Heroes get +50% hit points and attack; the Explorer build Town Centers and Trading Posts 100% faster; also ships an Explorer Dog
1
Indians
Card Description Age HC level
TEAM Shivaji's Tactics All units get +5% hit points and attack
25
Iroquois
Card Description Age HC level
TEAM Scout Infantry Infantry get +8 Line of Sight
10
Ottomans
Card Description Age HC level
Agha Heroes get +50% hit points and attack; the Explorer gets +1.0 speed; also ships an Explorer Dog
1
Portuguese
Card Description Age HC level
Navigator Heroes get +50% hit points and attack; the Explorer's Spyglass ability gets +6 Area of Effect; also ships an Explorer Dog
1
Bandeirantes Ships 2 additional Explorers
25
TEAM Gunpowder Infantry Hitpoints Gunpowder infantry get +15% hit points
10
Russians
Card Description Age HC level
Polar Explorer Heroes get +50% hit points and attack; the Explorer gets +2.0 attack multiplier against treasure guardians; also ships an Explorer Dog
1
Ransack Infantry get +50% siege attack
25
Spanish
Card Description Age HC level
Conquistador Heroes get +50% hit points and attack; War Dogs get +20% hit points and attack
1
TEAM Explorer Combat Heroes get +20% hit points and attack (except Shaolin Masters' Roundhouse Kick attack and Sohei Archers' Sabotage attack)
1
TEAM Inquisition All units get +10 Line of Sight
10

Random names[]

When playing against the CPU in the original vanilla version of Age of Empires III, each of the civilizations had a set name for their Explorer that represented actual historical figures. These names remain the default for human players in custom scenarios.

In later versions of the game, an Explorer belonging to an AI player will have a random name from a list of names. For every European civilization, except the Swedes, the name is constructed from a random first name and random last name, taken from famous historical figures. The Swedes use a list of full names. If an Explorer belongs to the Maltese or a non-European civilization, the name is taken from the same list used for the civilization's Explorer equivalent (e.g. War Chief). An Explorer that belongs to Mother Nature or a campaign-exclusive civilization will receive a random hero name from Age of Mythology.

Click for a non-exhaustive list of random names and the historical people they were based on
British

Other possible random names include:

Dutch

Other possible random names include:

French
Germans
Italians

Unlike most of the Explorer names for other civilizations, many of the historical figures represented by the Italian names were not explorers but scientists and other notable Italian people.

Ottomans
Portuguese

Other possible random names include:

Russians
Spanish

Other possible random names include:

Swedes
Other

Changelog[]

Age of Empires III[]

  • The Portuguese Explorer's Spyglass has a 120 second cooldown.
  • Hot Air Balloon requires the namesake Home City Card.
  • Eye of the Assassin deals 5000 damage.

Definitive Edition[]

  • The Portuguese Explorer's Spyglass now has a 90 second cooldown.
  • Hot Air Balloon now requires the player to advance to the Commerce Age with The Inventor.
  • Eye of the Assassin now deals 475 damage (still scales with Age to be an instant kill on all but the highest HP units, e.g. Mahout Lancers).
  • The "Castrametation" Home City Card now allows the Explorer to build Forts.

Trivia[]

  • When the Explorer collapses, a text box appears near him that quotes the Toad-Prince Creature from the 2001 The Simpsons episode "Treehouse of Horror XII": "Every moment I live… is agony."
  • No in-game Explorer model resembles the Explorer's unit portrait. However, the images on each unique Home City Card for the Explorer (see Home City Cards) resemble each respective civilizations' Explorers.

History[]

“ Explorers set out for the New World with a variety of backgrounds and missions. Some were nobles seeking fame and wealth; others were slaves forced to accompany their masters. Some wanted to claim new lands for the nations that sponsored their voyages; others wanted to explore the lands, their peoples, and the flora and fauna.

Estevanico was a slave from Morocco, sold to the Spaniard Andres de Dorantes. Dorantes joined an expedition to explore the Gulf Coast from Florida to Mexico. The ill-fated venture ended with only eighty of the original crew floating on makeshift rafts, only two of which landed on the shores of Texas near Galveston with neither food, nor water. Dorantes and Estevanico set out on their own, traveling west and south. They were captives for five years, faith healers, and legends amongst the Native Americans of the area. They eventually reached Mexico City where the viceroy refused to allow Dorantes to search Texas for the Seven Cities of Gold. Dorantes sold Estevanico to the viceroy and left for Spain.

Estevanico accompanied a missionary, Father Marcos de Niza, north ranging ahead and speaking to the Native Americans he encountered about the white men following in his wake. Estevanico had runners carry crosses back to Father Niza, their size indicating the promise of the region. Each new cross that Father Niza received was larger than the previous cross, and then he received one that was massive. Estevanico had discovered a Zuni pueblo; it is unknown whether he thought this pueblo was one of the Cities of Gold, but he spent an evening camped outside the town. In the morning, the Zuni attacked and killed him, fearing his presence was a bad omen. 		”

Gallery[]

Skins[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ↑ https://brill.com/view/book/9789004474772/B9789004474772_s011.xml
Military units in Age of Empires III
Common/shared units
Age of Empires III Explorer · Militiaman · Crossbowman · Pikeman · Halberdier · Musketeer · Skirmisher · Grenadier · Hussar · Dragoon · Cavalry Archer · Falconet · Culverin · Mortar · Heavy Cannon · Caravel · Galleon · Frigate · Monitor
The WarChiefs Warrior · Horse Artillery · Petard · Spy · Canoe · War Canoe · Ironclad
Definitive Edition* Captured Mortar · Sloop · Steamer · Battleship
The African Royals Levied Spearman · Levied Bowman · Levied Gunner · Javelin Rider · Desert Warrior · Desert Archer · Desert Raider · Battle Canoe · Cannon Boat
Unique units
British Longbowman · Ranger · Rocket
Dutch Ruyter · Fluyt
French Cuirassier
Germans Landwehr · Doppelsoldner · Uhlan · War Wagon
Ottomans Bashibozuk · Janissary · Azap · Nizam Fusilier · Deli · Abus Gunner · Humbaraci · Great Bombard · Muhbir · Sipahi · Galley
Portuguese Ordinance Rifleman · Cassador · Organ Gun
Russians Strelet · Rekrut · Poruchik · Cossack · Oprichnik
Spanish Rodelero · Lancer
Aztecs Aztec War Chief · Eagle Scout · Coyote Runner · Otontin Slinger · Puma Spearman · Arrow Knight · Eagle Runner Knight · Jaguar Prowl Knight · Warrior Priest · Skull Knight · Tlaloc Canoe
Haudenosaunee Haudenosaunee War Chief · Aenna · Tomahawk · Forest Prowler · Kanya Horseman · Musket Rider · Ram · Mantlet · Light Cannon
Lakota Lakota War Chief · Cetan Bowman · Club Warrior · Wakina Rifle · Axe Rider · Bow Rider · Rifle Rider · Tashunke Prowler · Tokala Soldier
Chinese Shaolin Master · Disciple · Sentry · Irregular · Chu Ko Nu · Qiang Pikeman · Changdao Swordsman · Arquebusier · Steppe Rider · Keshik · Iron Flail · Meteor Hammer · Flamethrower · Hand Mortar · Flying Crow · Fire Junk · War Junk · Fuchuan
Indians Brahmin · Sentry · Irregular · Rajput · Sepoy · Gurkha · Urumi Swordsman · Sowar · Zamburak · Mahout Lancer · Howdah · Flail Elephant · Siege Elephant
Japanese Sohei Archer · Sentry · Irregular · Yumi Archer · Ashigaru Musketeer · Samurai · Naginata Rider · Yabusame · Flaming Arrow · Morutaru · Daimyo · Shogun Tokugawa · Yamabushi · Shinobi · Fune · Atakebune · Tekkousen
Inca Inca War Chief · Chasqui · Jungle Bowman · Plumed Spearman · Chimu Runner · Bolas Warrior · Huaraca · Maceman · Chincha Raft
Swedes Carolean · Hakkapelit · Leather Cannon
United States General · Minuteman · State Militia · Regular · Sharpshooter · Carbine Cavalry · Gatling Gun · Quaker Gun · Gunslinger · Cowboy · Owlhoot
Mexicans General · Padre · Insurgente · Soldado · Salteador · Chinaco · Desperado · Cuatrero · Bandido
Ethiopians Ras · Oromo Warrior · Gascenya · Shotel Warrior · Neftenya · Sebastopol Mortar · War Dhow
Hausa Emir · Fulani Archer · Raider · Lifidi Knight · Maigadi · Xebec
Italians Pavisier · Bersagliere · Papal Guard · Schiavone · Papal Lancer · Papal Zouave · Papal Bombard · Leonardo's Tank · Galleass
Maltese Grand Master · Hospitaller · Sentinel · Fire Thrower · Order Galley · Fire Ship
Revolution
Barbary Warrior · Bolivar · Californio · Cetbang Cannon · Corsair Captain · Corsair Marksman · Cruzob Avenger · Cruzob Infantry · Cuerudo · Eclaireur · Filibuster · Gatling Gun · Gaucho · Jagunço · Javanese Spearman · Llanero · Militia Officer · Morochuco · Mounted Granadero · Revolutionary · Revolutionary Sharpshooter · San Martin · Trek Wagon
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