This article is about the Chinese unit in Age of Mythology: Tale of the Dragon. For other uses, see General. |
“ | Cavalry that can boost morale with a battlecry. | ” |
The General is a Chinese cavalry unit in Age of Mythology: Tale of the Dragon. It can be trained at Castle and has a build limit of 3.
Despite having a hero-like glow, he is a human unit, not a hero unit.
Special Ability[]
The General can boost nearby ally human and hero units' attacks by +50% for a short time by battle-crying, similar to Arkantos or Einherjar. Range: 10 meters. Recharge time: 20 seconds. Damage to Enemies inside the Area: 5 hack.
God Bonuses and Upgrades[]
General[]
Nü Wa: reduces food and gold cost by 10%.
- Medium Castle Soldiers: +10% HP and attack, +1 LOS.
- Heavy Castle Soldiers: +15% HP, +10% attack, +1 LOS.
- Champion Castle Soldiers: +20% HP, +10% attack, +1 LOS.
- Levy Castle Soldiers, Conscript Castle Soldiers: -20% training time.
- Copper Weapons, Bronze Weapons, and Iron Weapons increase attack by 10%.
- Copper Mail, Bronze Mail, and Iron Mail decrease hack vulnerability by 10%.
- Copper Shields, Bronze Shields, and Iron Shields decrease pierce vulnerability by 10%.
- Jade Rabbit (Chang'e) increases movement speed by 10%.
- Stirrup (Chongli): Cavalry +25% HP.
- Dragon Scales (Ao Kuang) increases hack armor by 10%.
- Golden Peaches (Xi Wangmu) increases HP by 25%.
- Celestial Palace (Xi Wangmu) reduces training time by 20%.
Strategy[]
Generals are a very special unit in a Chinese army, but also one that is very expensive. Their acquisition can put a needless dent in the Chinese economy if they are used without purpose.
While their stats are generally great, lacking only in attack, they are not meant to be used as combat units, but as support, thanks to their morale boost, similar to those used by Einherjars and Arkantos. To be most effective, they need to be escorted with a sizable army, ideally consisting of masses of affordable Halberdiers coupled with cavalry, such as War Chariots and Cataphracts.
The General must be well protected by his army, especially from myth units (like Cyclopes, Carnivorae, and Mummies), as he doesn't count as a hero, and can be destroyed by them, sending 140 gold and 180 food invested down the drain. Also, Generals are susceptible to god powers like Spider Lair, Curse, Carnivora and Chaos.
Due to being classified as a human soldier, coupled with his relatively high cost and glass-cannon-esque function, the General is not regarded as a particularly effective unit by the community.
Changelog[]
Tale of the Dragon[]
- Initially, Generals do not benefit from Castle Line upgrades, and cost 200 food, 200 gold. With patch 2.7, they benefit from Castle Line upgrades, and cost 180 food, 140 gold.
History[]
“ | "The general who hearkens to my council and acts on it, he will conquer... The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but a few." - Sun Tzu, "The Art of War," 512 BC. Great leadership was the backbone of a stalwart Chinese military machine. Storied leaders the likes of Sun Tzu, Sun Bin, and Wu Qi dot the annals of Chinese history with the fantastic tales of triumph over insurmountable odds. Sun Tzu led his 60,000 troops of the Wu army to victory over the 200,000 soldiers of the State of Chu in five different wars during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. He is most famous for his work "The Art of War," which remains the most widely read military manual in history. Generals were expected to fight as well as they led. For example, Li Guang was a famous general of the Han Dynasty, and an exceptional archer: according to legend, arrows shot from his bow could penatrate stone. However, Generals were also held responsible for any failures on the battlefield. In such a case they were expected to commit ritual suicide to preserve their honor, as Li Guang did after he failed to arrive on time to the battle of Mobei in 119 BC. | ” |
—In-game history section |
Trivia[]
- The unit's internal name is Hero Chinese General, which suggests the General was originally intended to be a Hero unit.
- The General reuses Arkantos' battle cry sounds.