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Politicians

Politicians

Politicians are European-exclusive dignitaries in Age of Empires III from the Home City who guide a player's colony into the next Age, similar to the minor gods system of Age of Mythology. Each time a player advances in Age, they must choose from a select group of politicians. Each politician delivers an assortment of resources or units once the player has finished advancing in Age. Since the Exploration Age is the earliest Age in the game, it does not come with a politician.

Prior to the Definitive Edition, new politicians could be unlocked in each European Home City as its level increases. The Definitive Edition adds new politicians (marked by italics in the table below), rebalances existing ones, and removes their Home City level requirements - hence, all politicians are always available.

  • If the Italian player sent the Advanced Politicians shipment previously, all Politicians grant additional rewards (rewards are different for each Politician).
Age Politician Bonuses Civ.
Colonial age up
Politician governor
The Governor
Ships 1 Outpost Wagon and 200 coin; +100 coin British
Dutch
French
Italians
Maltese
Spanish
Swedes
Politician imam
The Imam
Ships 1 Mosque Wagon, 1 Imam, and 100 coin, Mosque built limit +1 Ottomans
Politician inventor
The Inventor
The Explorer can use Hot Air Balloon; Ships 300 XP
All
Politician logistician
The Logistician
Ships 1 Arsenal Wagon and the next Arsenal technology is free; +1 Arsenal Wagon British
Italians
Maltese
Ships 1 Military Wagon and 1 Halberdier; Halberdiers can be trained in the Commerce Age Dutch
Ships 1 Military Wagon and 1 Arsenal Wagon French
Swedes
Ships 1 Arsenal Wagon; Exploration and Commerce Age Home City Cards give one additional Uhlan Germans
Crossbowmen, Pikemen*, and Musketeers can be trained at Town Centers; Crossbowmen and Musketeers get +1 ranged attack range, Pikemen get +0.5 hand attack range Portuguese
Ships 1 Military Wagon; Blockhouses support 15 population Russians
Exploration Age Home City Cards are shipped in 30 seconds and also ships 150 food, 100 wood, 75 coin Spanish
Politician naturalist
The Naturalist
Ships 2 Settlers and 2 semi-fattened Cows British
Dutch
French
Maltese
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians
Spanish
Swedes
Ships 1 Settler Wagon and 2 semi-fattened Cows Germans
Politician philosopher prince
The Philosopher Prince
Ships 500 food; +250 food British
Germans
Italians
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians
Spanish
Swedes
Politician quarter master
The Quartermaster
Ships 400 wood Dutch
French
Germans
Maltese
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians
The Medici
The Medici
Ships 1 Settler and 1 Lombard Wagon; +1 Settler Italians
Fortress age up
Politician admiral
The Admiral of the Ocean Sea
Ships 1 Caravel and 400 wood British
Dutch
Knights of St. John
Portuguese
Spanish
Ships 1 Order Galley and 300 wood Maltese
Ships 1 Galley and 400 wood Ottomans
Politician adventurer
The Adventurer
Ships 7 Longbowmen British
Ships 8 Pavisiers; +4 Pavisiers Italians
Ships 8 Crossbowmen Maltese
Spanish
Ships 17 Streltsy Russians
Politician bishop
The Bishop
Ships 1 Covered Wagon; +300 XP British
Dutch
French
Germans
Italians
Maltese
Russians
Spanish
Swedes
Politician ethiopian queen
The Ethiopian Queen
Ships 5 Elite Shotel Warriors Portuguese
Politician exiled prince
The Exiled Prince
Ages up 45 seconds Dutch
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians
Swedes
Politician gentlemen pirate
The Gentleman Pirate
Ships 1 Privateer and 2 Barbary Corsairs; +1 Privateer French
Germans
Italians
Russians
Swedes
Politician marksman
The Marksman
Ships 6 Skirmishers French
Germans
Ships 6 Musketeers; +3 Musketeers Italians
Ships 4 Abus Gunners Ottomans
Ships 6 Cassadores Portuguese
Ships 2 Leather Cannons Swedes
Politician mercenary contractor
The Mercenary Contractor
The Tavern can train Harquebusiers and Jaegers British
The Tavern can train Elmetti and Fusiliers Dutch
The Tavern (and the Lombard for the Italians) can train Mounted Riflemen and Royal Horsemen; +1 Mounted Rifleman French
Italians
The Tavern can train Armored Pistoleers and Cannoneers Maltese
The Tavern can train Barbary Corsairs and Mamelukes Ottomans
The Tavern can train Li'l Bombards and Ronin Portuguese
Black Riders and Jaegers can be trained respectively from Stables and Barracks Swedes
Politician mohawk statesmen
The Mohawk Statesman
Ships 7 Haudenosaunee Tomahawks and 1 Native Scout British
Politician scout
The Scout
Ships 4 Deli Ottomans
Ships 5 Cossacks Russians
Ships 4 Hussars Spanish
Politician sergeant arms
The Sergeant at Arms
Ships 6 Halberdiers Dutch
Ships 4 Doppelsoldner Germans
Ships 4 Hospitallers Maltese
Ships 8 Pikemen Spanish
Industrial age up
Politician cavalier
The Cavalry Marshal
Ships 9 Ruyters Dutch
Ships 3 Cuirassiers French
Ships 7 Uhlans Germans
Ships 6 Dragoons; +3 Dragoons Italians
Ships 5 Hussars Ottomans
Ships 7 Cossacks Russians
Ships 6 Lancers Spanish
Ships 5 Hakkapelits Swedes
Politician engineer
The Engineer
Ships 2 Falconets; +1 Falconet British
French
Italians
Maltese
Ottomans
Russians
Germans
Spanish
Swedes
Ships 2 Organ Guns Portuguese
Politician grand vizier
The Grand Vizier
Ships 3 Sipahi Ottomans
Politician kings musketeer
The King's Musketeer
Ships 10 Musketeers British
French
Spanish
Ships 13 Musketeers Russians
Ships 8 Skirmishers Dutch
Portuguese
Ships 10 Caroleans Swedes
Politician logistician
The Logistician
Ships 1 Fort Wagon; +1 Frontier Post Wagon British
Dutch
Italians
Maltese
Ottomans
Russians
Politician papal guard
The Papal Guard
Guard Crossbowmen and Guard Pikemen can be researched for free and allows Crossbowmen and Pikemen to be upgraded to Imperial; Guard Halberdiers cost -50% resources French
Guard Crossbowmen and Guard Pikemen can be researched for free and allows Crossbowmen and Pikemen to be upgraded to Imperial; Guard Dopplesoldners cost -50% resources; Guard Landwehrs can be researched for free if available Germans
Guard Pikemen can be researched for free and allows Pikemen to be upgraded to Imperial; Guard Halberdiers cost -50% resources; ships 5 Papal Guards (10 if the Advanced Politicians Home City Card was sent) Italians
Guard Pikemen can be researched for free and allows Pikemen to be upgraded to Imperial; Arbalesters (Royal Guard Crossbowmen) cost -40% resources; Guard Hospitallers cost -50% resources Maltese
Guard Pikemen can be researched for free and allows Pikemen to be upgraded to Imperial; Ordinance Besteiro (Royal Guard Crossbowmen) cost -70% resources; Guard Halberdiers cost -50% resources Portuguese
Guard Crossbowmen can be researched for free and allows Crossbowmen to be upgraded to Imperial; Tercio (Royal Guard Pikemen) cost -70% resources Spanish
Dalkarl (Royal Guard Pikemen) can be researched for free Swedes
Politician tycoon
The Tycoon
Ships 1,000 coin British
Dutch
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Swedes
Ships 1 Factory Wagon United States
Politician viceroy
The Viceroy
Ships 5 Settlers and 500 food British
Ships 5 Settlers and 400 coin Dutch
Ships 3 Settler Wagons and 300 wood Germans
Ships 6 Fishing Boats and 400 wood Portuguese
Politician war minister
The War Minister
Ships 5 Order Dragoons Maltese
Ships 7 Oprichniks Russian
Ships 12 Rodeleros Spanish
Ships 1 Fort Wagon United States
The Pope
The Pope
Ships 1,000 XP; +500 XP Italians
Maltese
Imperial Age
Politician black duke
The Black Duke
Ships 6 Drummers British
Ships 16 Black Brunswickers Germans
Politician el presidente
El Presidente
Ships 2,000 coin; +1,000 coin
All
Politician general
The General
Ships 2 Heavy Cannons Dutch
French
Germans
Maltese
Portuguese
Russians
Spanish
Swedes
Ships 3 Rockets British
Ships 2 Great Bombards Ottomans
Ships 2 Papal Bombards; +1 Papal Bombard Italians
Politician inventor
The Inventor
Ships an Advanced Hot Air Balloon; Ships 1 Leonardo's Tank instead Italians
Maltese
Ottomans
Russians
Spanish
Politician mercenary contractor
The Mercenary Contractor
Outlaws and Fortress Age mercenaries get +50% hit points and attack; Industrial Age mercenaries get +35% hit points and attack; +2 Royal Horsemen
All
Politician knight
The Knight
Grants Knighthood and Peerage
All except Italians
Politician Royalist
The Royalist
Ships 17 Line Infantry Dutch
Ships 18 Royal Musketeers; Ships 15 Royal Dragoons instead French
Italians
Ships 18 Northern Musketeers Russians
Ships 17 Mountain Troopers Swedes
Politician Scottish marshal
The Scottish Marshal
Grants a better version of the Swashbuckler ability to the Grand Master Maltese

Age Politician Bonuses Civ.
(HC level)
Colonial age up
The Bishop
The Bishop
Ships 2 Settlers Ottomans (1)
Russians (1)
Spanish (1)
British (20)
Portuguese (50)
Ships 1 Settler Wagon Germans (1)
The Governor
The Governor
Ships 1 Outpost Wagon and 200 coin British (1)
Dutch (1)
Ottomans (1)
Spanish (1)
French (40)
The Naturalist
The Naturalist
Ships 4 Cows British (1)
French (1)
Portuguese (1)
Russians (1)
Dutch (10)
Germans (10)
Ottomans (40)
Spanish (40)
The Philosopher Prince
The Philosopher Prince
Ships 500 food Dutch (1)
Germans (1)
Portuguese (1)
French (10)
British (40)
Ottomans (50)
Russians (60)
Spanish (60)
The Quartermaster
The Quartermaster
Ships 400 wood Dutch (1)
French (1)
Ottomans (1)
Russians (10)
Germans (40)
Portuguese (60)
Fortress age up
The Admiral of the Sea
The Admiral of the Ocean Sea
Ships 1 Caravel and 400 wood British (1)
Dutch (30)
Knights of St. John (1)
Portuguese (20)
Spanish (20)
Ships 1 Galley and 400 wood Ottomans (1)
The Adventurer
The Adventurer
Ships 7 Longbowmen British (1)
Ships 17 Streltsy Russians (1)
Ships 4 Pikemen and 4 Crossbowman Spanish (1)
The Exiled Prince
The Exiled Prince
Ages up 2.75 times as fast Dutch (1)
French (30)
Germans (60)
Ottomans (30)
Portuguese (1)
Russians (50)
The Gentleman Pirate
The Gentleman Pirate
Ships 1 Privateer and 2 Barbary Corsairs British (30)
Dutch (20)
Germans (1)
Russians (30)
The Marksman
The Marksman
Ships 6 Skirmishers French (1)
Germans (50)
Ships 4 Abus Gunners Ottomans (1)
Ships 6 Cassadores Portuguese (1)
The Mohawk Statesman
The Mohawk Statesman
Ships 3 Iroquois Mantlets and 2 Native Scouts British (10)
French (1)
Portuguese (40)
The Scout
The Scout
Ships 4 Hussars French (60)
Ottomans (60)
Spanish (10)
Ships 5 Cossacks Russians (1)
The Sergeant at Arms
The Sergeant at Arms
Ships 5 Halberdiers Dutch (1)
Ships 3 Doppelsoldner Germans (1)
Ships 8 Pikemen Spanish (1)
Industrial age up
The Cavalry Marshal
The Cavalry Marshal
Ships 9 Ruyters Dutch (60)
Ships 3 Cuirassiers French (20)
Ships 6 Uhlans Germans (1)
Ships 5 Hussars Ottomans (1)
Ships 6 Cossacks Russians (40)
Ships 5 Lancers Spanish (1)
The Engineer
The Engineer
Ships 2 Falconets French (1)
Ottomans (1)
Russians (1)
Germans (30)
Spanish (50)
British (60)
Ships 2 Organ Guns Portuguese (1)
The Grand Vizier
The Grand Vizier
Ships 3 Sipahi Ottomans (20)
The King's Musketeer
The King's Musketeer
Ships 10 Musketeers French (1)
Spanish (1)
British (50)
Ships 13 Musketeers Russians (20)
Ships 8 Skirmishers Dutch (1)
Portuguese (30)
The Tycoon
The Tycoon
Ships 1,000 coin British (1)
Dutch (1)
Germans (1)
Ottomans (10)
Portuguese (10)
French (40)
Ships 1 Factory Wagon United States(1)
The Viceroy
The Viceroy
Ships 4 Settlers and 3 Grenadiers British (1)
Ships 4 Settlers and 3 Dragoons Portuguese (1)
Ships 4 Settlers and 3 Uhlans Germans (20)
Ships 4 Settlers and 3 Ruyters Dutch (40)
The War Minister
The War Minister
Ships 7 Oprichniks Russian (1)
Ships 10 Rodeleros Spanish (20)
Ships 1 Fort Wagon United States (1)
Imperial Age
El Presidente
El Presidente
Ships 2,000 coin All (1)
The General
The General
Ships 10 Musketeers and 2 Rockets British (1)
Ships 10 Skirmishers and 1 Heavy Cannon Dutch
Germans (1)
Ships 10 Musketeers and 1 Heavy Cannon French
Portuguese
Russians
Spanish (1)
Ships 10 Janissaries and 1 Great Bombard Ottomans (1)

Changelog[]

Definitive Edition[]

The African Royals[]

  • With update 13.690, the British Logistician effect was changed to "Ships 1 Arsenal Wagon and your next Arsenal technology is free".
Age up methods in Age of Empires III
Politicians for European civilizations
Colonial age up Commerce Age The Governor The Governor · Politician imam The Imam · Politician inventor The Inventor · Politician logistician The Logistician · The Naturalist The Naturalist · The Philosopher Prince The Philosopher Prince · The Quartermaster The Quartermaster · The Medici The Medici
Fortress age up Fortress Age The Admiral of the Sea The Admiral of the Ocean Sea · The Adventurer The Adventurer · The Bishop The Bishop · Politician ethiopian queen The Ethiopian Queen · The Exiled Prince The Exiled Prince · The Gentleman Pirate The Gentleman Pirate · The Marksman The Marksman · Politician mercenary contractor The Mercenary Contractor · The Mohawk Statesman The Mohawk Statesman · The Scout The Scout · The Sergeant at Arms The Sergeant at Arms
Industrial age up Industrial Age The Cavalry Marshal The Cavalry Marshal · The Engineer The Engineer · The Grand Vizier The Grand Vizier · The King's Musketeer The King's Musketeer · Politician logistician The Logistician · Politician papal guard The Papal Guard · The Tycoon The Tycoon · The Viceroy The Viceroy · The War Minister The War Minister · The Pope The Pope
Imperial age up Imperial Age El Presidente El Presidente · The General The General · Politician black duke The Black Duke · Politician inventor The Inventor · Politician knight The Knight · Politician mercenary contractor The Mercenary Contractor · Politician Royalist The Royalist · Politician Scottish marshal The Scottish Marshal
Civilizations Flag BritishDE British · Flag DutchDE Dutch · Flag FrenchDE French · Flag GermanDE Germans · Flag ItalianDE Italians · Flag MalteseDE Maltese · Flag OttomanDE Ottomans · Flag PortugueseDE Portuguese · Flag RussianDE Russians · Flag SpanishDE Spanish · Flag SwedishDE Swedes
Tribal Council members for Native American civilizations
Colonial age up Commerce Age The Messenger · The Wise Woman · The Warrior · The Elder · The Chief
Civilizations Flag AztecDE Aztecs · Flag IroquoisDE Haudenosaunee · Flag IncanDE Inca · Flag SiouxDE Lakota
Wonders for Asian civilizations
Flag ChineseDE Chinese Confucian academy aoe3de Confucian Academy · PorcelainTowerDE Porcelain Tower · SummerPalaceDE Summer Palace · TempleOfHeavenDE Temple of Heaven · WhitePagodaDE White Pagoda
Flag IndianDE Indians AgraFortDE Agra Fort · CharminarGateDE Charminar Gate · KarniMataDE Karni Mata · TajMahalDE Taj Mahal · TowerOfVictoryDE Tower of Victory
Flag JapaneseDE Japanese GoldenPavilionDE Golden Pavilion · GiantBuddhaDE Great Buddha · ShogunateDE Shogunate · ToriiGatesDE Torii Gates · ToshoguShrineDE Toshogu Shrine
Federal States for United States
Colonial age up Commerce Age Federal state US delaware Delaware · Federal state US massachussetts Massachusetts · Federal state US pennsylvania Pennsylvania · Federal state US rhode island Rhode Island · Federal state US virginia Virginia
Fortress age up Fortress Age Federal state US indiana Indiana · Federal state US kentucky Kentucky · Federal state US maryland Maryland · Federal state US new hampshire New Hampshire · Federal state US tennessee Tennessee
Industrial age up Industrial Age Federal state US california California · Federal state US new jersey New Jersey · Federal state US ohio Ohio · Federal state US south carolina South Carolina · Federal state US vermont Vermont
Imperial age up Imperial Age Federal state US connecticut Connecticut · Federal state US florida Florida · Federal state US illinois Illinois · Federal state US new york New York · Federal state US texas Texas
Federal States for Mexicans
Colonial age up Commerce Age Durango Durango · Michoacán Michoacán · Tlaxcala Tlaxcala · Chiapas Chiapas · Querétaro Querétaro
Fortress age up Fortress Age Sonora federal state Sonora · Coahuila Coahuila · Sinaloa Sinaloa · San Luis Potosí San Luis Potosí · Tabasco Tabasco
Industrial age up Industrial Age Chihuahua Chihuahua · Zacatecas Zacatecas · Tamaulipas Tamaulipas · Guanajuato Guanajuato · Guerrero Guerrero
Imperial age up Imperial Age Oaxaca Oaxaca · Jalisco Jalisco · Estado de México Estado de México · Veracruz Veracruz · Puebla Puebla
Alliances for African civilizations
Flag Ethiopian aoe3de Ethiopians Alliance Habesha Habesha · Alliance Jesuits Jesuits · Alliance Portuguese Portuguese · Alliance Somalis Somalis · Alliance Sudanese Sudanese · Alliance Indians Indians· Alliance Oromo Oromo+ · Alliance Arabs Arabsx
Flag Hausa Hausa Alliance Akan Akan · Alliance Berbers Berbers · Alliance Hausa Hausa · Alliance Moroccans Moroccans · Alliance Songhai Songhai · Alliance Fulani Fulani· Alliance Yoruba Yoruba+ · Alliance British Britishx
* requires Fortress Age to be unlocked; + requires Industrial Age to be unlocked; x requires Imperial Age to be unlocked
Unused options for Tribal Council members, Wonders, and Alliances can be used in future Age-ups.
Gameplay elements in the Age of Empires series
Age · Ability (M · III · IV) · Architecture set (II · III) · Area of Effect (Trample damage) · Armor/Resists (hack/melee · pierce/ranged · crush/siege)  · Armor class/Tag (I - original · I - Return of Rome · II · IV) · Artificial intelligence · Attack (Attack bonus/Multiplier) · Attack delay · Attack ground · Aura · Auto Scout · Building (I · II · M · III · IV) · Civilization (I · II · M · III · IV) · Civilization bonus · Cheat code (I · II · M · III · IV) · Conversion · Counter · Diplomacy · Gaia/Mother Nature · Game modes · Garrison · Gather Point · Healing · Hit points · Hotkey · Line of Sight · Mini map · Player · Population · Range · Rate of Fire · Regeneration · Relic (II · M · IV) · Renewable resources · Repairing · Resource · Scenario Editor (I · II · M · III · IV) · Score · Signal Allies/Flare · Soundtrack (I · II · M · III · IV) · Speed · Stealth mode · Taunt · Technology (I · II · M · III · IV) · Technology tree (I · II · IV) · Town Bell · Trade · Tribute · Unit (I · II · M · III · IV) · Unit formation · Unit stance (III) · Upgrade (I · II · III) · User interface · Victory
Genie Engine
Frame delay · Full Tech Tree · Team bonus
ReturnRome-AoEIcon Age of EmpiresRuins · Discovery
AoE2-DLCicon-0 Age of Empires IIPass-through damage · Projectile duplication
Bang Engine
Autoqueue · Snare
Aom original icon Age of MythologyGod (Major · Minor) · God power · Settlement
3Icon48px Age of Empires IIIAge-up methods (Politician/Tribal Council/Wonder/Federal State/Alliance· Banner army · Consulate · Damage Cap · Home City · Home City Card · Inspiring Flag · Minor civilization · Promotion · Revolution · Target Lock · Trade Monopoly · Trade Route · Treasure
Essence Engine
GameIcon-AoE4 Age of Empires IVBounty · Dynasty · Fire armor · Imperial Council (Vizier Point) · Influence · Landmark · Religion · Sacred Site · Variant civilization
If a gameplay element has different pages across games, like civilization, the individual pages are linked in brackets.
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