Five of the major gods from Age of Mythology, from left to right: Odin, Thor, Zeus, Isis, and Ra
The major gods are gods in Age of Mythology, representing the different factions of each civilization. The in-game help system and game manual refer to the major gods as civilizations available to their shared cultures. As of Immortal Pillars, each shared civilization has three different major gods, except for the Norse, who have four (the fourth major god having been added in the New Gods Pack: Freyr). This gives a total of 16 in Retold and 15 in the Extended Edition.
Before a game starts, the player must choose a major god. The choice of a major god determines the god powers, minor gods, and special bonuses the civilization can access. In random map games, players can have their major god decided beforehand, or if a culture was assigned in the selection screen instead of a specific major god, chosen randomly from either the culture's major gods or from all cultures' major gods.
Each civilization's selection of major gods generally features a sort of "head god" of the civilization's pantheon (Zeus, Ra, Odin), an "evil" or opposing character (Hades, Set, Loki) and a third, popular god (Poseidon, Isis, Thor). The Greek gods in the campaign have a slightly altered role, with Hades being neutral and not supporting either the protagonist or antagonist, while Poseidon is revealed to be the antagonist and acting against Zeus. The Atlantean pantheon is slightly more complicated, since Kronos is portrayed in the game both as the leader of the Titans and as a renegade, power-hungry figure. Gaia, on the other hand, is portrayed as a "good" character and therefore opposed to the rest of the Titans. The Chinese (both in Tale of the Dragon and its reworked version) likewise do not fit in this scheme, as none of the three gods are portrayed as malignant.
- Contents
| Civilizations | Major god | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Greeks
|
 Zeus
|
 Hades
|
 Poseidon
|
|
 Egyptians
|
 Ra
|
 Isis
|
 Set
|
|
 Norse
|
 Odin
|
 Thor
|
 Loki
|
 Freyr
|
 Atlanteans
|
 Kronos
|
 Gaia
|
 Oranos
|
|
 Chinese(Immortal Pillars) |
 Fuxi
|
 Nüwa
|
 Shennong
|
|
 Chinese(Tale of the Dragon) |
 Fu Xi
|
 Nü Wa
|
 Shennong
|
|
Greeks[]
The Greek major gods are Zeus, the leader of Olympian gods and the god of thunder, Poseidon, the god of horses and the sea, and Hades, the ruler of the Underworld. Zeus focuses on infantry, heroes, and favor generation, while Poseidon boosts cavalry and naval aspects, and Hades watches over ranged soldiers, gold, and town defenses.
Zeus[]
God power[]
Technology[]
- Olympian Parentage: Heroes have 25% more hit points and -50% training time.
Unique unit[]
- Myrmidon: Infantry unit whose attacks deal divine damage, ignoring enemy armor values.
Heroes[]
- Jason (Archaic Age)
- Heracles (Classical Age)*
- Odysseus (Heroic Age)*
- Bellerophon (Mythic Age): Leaps into combat, dealing extra damage.
Bonuses[]
- Starts with 10 favor
- Gains favor 20% faster.
- Myth units cost 1 less population*.
- Infantry do +50% damage to buildings.
- Hoplites move 15% faster.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Athena - God power: Restoration, myth unit: Minotaur
- Hermes - God power: Ceasefire, myth unit: Centaur
- Heroic Age
- Apollo - God power: Underworld Passage, myth unit: Manticore
- Dionysus - God power: Bronze, myth unit: Hydra
- Mythic Age
- Hera - God power: Lightning Storm, myth unit: Medusa
- Hephaestus - God power: Plenty, myth unit: Colossus
Hades[]
God power[]
- Sentinel: Creates five sentient statues around the target Town Center that attack any enemies within range.
Technology[]
- Vaults of Erebus: Provides a trickle of 2 gold per second.
Unique units[]
- Gastraphetoros: Expensive archer wielding a crossbow which excels against buildings.
- Shade of Hades: Myth unit that has a 20% chance of appearing at a Temple if a human soldier is killed.
Heroes[]
- Ajax (Archaic Age)
- Achilles (Classical Age*)
- Chiron (Heroic Age*)
- Perseus (Mythic Age): Petrifies any non-airborne unit to immobilize and damage it over time.
Bonuses[]
- 20% chance for fallen humans to return as Shades of Hades.
- Myth units +15% hit points.
- Ranged soldiers and heroes[note 1] +1 Line of Sight and range.
- Ranged fortifications +2 range.
- Ballistics and Burning Pitch are researched instantly for free in their respective ages.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Ares - God power: Pestilence, myth unit: Cyclops
- Athena - God power: Restoration, myth unit: Minotaur
- Heroic Age
- Aphrodite - God power: Curse, myth unit: Nemean Lion
- Apollo - God power: Underworld Passage, myth unit: Manticore
- Mythic Age
- Artemis - God power: Earthquake, myth unit: Chimera
- Hephaestus - God power: Plenty, myth unit: Colossus
Poseidon[]
God power[]
- Lure: Places a Granary-like enchanted stone that draws animals towards the targeted location for Villagers to hunt, and spawns Chickens, more in later Ages.
Technology[]
- Lord of Horses: Grants Cavalry +4 Line of Sight and +0.5 hit points per second regeneration.
Unique Units[]
- Hippocampus: Naval myth unit scout that has no attack. If killed, a new one respawns at the player's oldest Dock.
- Hetairos: Cavalry with an Area of Effect attack.
- Militia: Weak infantry unit that appears when a Poseidon player's building is destroyed.
Heroes[]
- Theseus (Archaic Age)
- Atalanta (Classical Age*)
- Hippolyta (Heroic Age*)
- Polyphemus (Mythic Age): Swings his mace to knock enemy units into the air, damaging it and others in its way.
- The Argo (Heroic Age*): Hero ship (Before Retold)
Bonuses[]
- Militia spawn from razed buildings.
- Cavalry, Caravans, and myth units +0.4 speed.
- Stables and Markets are 30% cheaper.
- Market exchange rates improved by 15%.
- A free Hippocampus respawns at the first Dock.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Heroic Age
- Mythic Age
- Artemis - God power: Earthquake, myth unit: Chimera
- Hephaestus - God power: Plenty, myth unit: Colossus
Egyptians[]
The Egyptian major gods are Ra, the god of the Sun, Isis, the mother god of protection, and Set, the god of desert and chaos. Ra's specialty lies in Priests and empowering. Isis focuses on technology and protection. Set's field of interests include using wild animals as allies, and speed.
Ra[]
God power[]
- Rain: The player's Laborers farm 150% faster.
Technology[]
- Skin of the Rhino: Laborers have 25% less hack/pierce vulnerability.
Bonuses[]
- Laborers gather from Berry Bushes 25% faster.
- Camel Rider, Chariot Archer, and War Elephant +15% hit points.
- Mandjet: Pharaoh-empowered Monuments empower nearby buildings (70% efficiency of Pharaohs).
- Priests can empower (70% efficiency of Pharaohs).
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Heroic Age
- Sobek* - God power: Locust Swarm, myth units: Petsuchos, Roc
- Sekhmet - God power: Citadel, myth unit: Scarab
- Mythic Age
Isis[]
God power[]
- Prosperity: The player's Laborers mine gold 80% faster and their Caravans yield 20% more gold for 50 seconds.
Technology[]
- Flood of the Nile: Provides 1 food per second.
Bonuses[]
- Town Centers and Citadel Centers support +5 population.
- Technologies (other than Age-ups and Secrets of the Titans) cost -10% except favor costs.
- Obelisks cost -5 gold, and are built 60% faster.
- Divine Shield: Monuments shield against enemy god powers (25 range; 40 when empowered).
- Empowered Monuments also heal nearby units in range 50 by 1 HP/s (0.5× for non-idle units) and generate favor 100% faster.[note 2]
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Anubis - God power: Plague of Serpents, myth unit: Anubite
- Bast - God power: Eclipse, myth unit: Sphinx
- Heroic Age
- Sobek* - God power: Locust Swarm, myth units: Petsuchos, Roc
- Nephthys - God power: Ancestors, myth unit: Scorpion Man
- Mythic Age
Set[]
God power[]
- Vision: Reveals a large area of the fog of war for 20 seconds.
Technology[]
- Clairvoyance: Favor cost of recasting Vision is removed and its cooldown reduced. (Since Retold)
- Feral: Converted animals have 10% more hit points, 10% less hack and pierce vulnerability and 25% more attack. (Before Retold)
Unique units[]
Animals of Set: Units that can be trained by the Pharaoh some of which are also granted on Age advancement.
- Archaic Age: Baboon of Set
- Classical Age: Gazelle of Set, Hyena of Set
- Heroic Age: Giraffe of Set, Crocodile of Set
- Mythic Age: Hippopotamus of Set, Rhinoceros of Set, Elephant of Set
Bonuses[]
- Start the game with a Baboon of Set.
- Pharaohs can summon Animals of Set.
- Priests can convert wild animals, but converted animals lose 25% of their Food.
- +5% Spearman, Axeman, and Slinger speed.
- Barracks, Siege Works, and Migdol Strongholds cost -25% gold.
- Devotees: Monuments reduce the cost of units in nearby Barracks and Migdol Strongholds by 10%.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Anubis - God power: Plague of Serpents, myth unit: Anubite
- Ptah - God power: Shifting Sands, myth unit: Wadjet
- Heroic Age
- Nephthys - God power: Ancestors, myth unit: Scorpion Man
- Sekhmet - God power: Citadel, myth unit: Scarab
- Mythic Age
Norse[]
The Norse major gods are Odin, the king of the gods and god of war, Thor, the god of thunder, Loki, the trickster god, and Freyr, the god of fertility and kingship who was added with the release of the New Gods Pack: Freyr. Odin focuses on warriors and hunters, while Thor specializes in Dwarves and smithing, Loki on speed and mobility, and Freyr on defenses.
Odin[]
God power[]
- Great Hunt: Increases the number of animals in the target area. If there are none, it spawns a few Elk.
Technology[]
- Hamask: Berserks move and attack faster as they lose hitpoints. (+0.25% for every missing 1% hit point) (Since Retold)
- Lone Wanderer: Ulfsarks move 10% faster. (Before Retold)
Unique Unit[]
- Raven: Flying scout unit that has no attack. Two appear for free above the player's Temple as soon as one is built. The ravens reappear if killed.
Bonuses[]
- Hunters gather 10% faster.
- Great Hall units generate +25% favor in battle.
- Human units and heroes regenerate 0.4 hit points per second.
- Two Raven scouts spawn once the first Temple is built, and respawn a short time after being killed.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Freyja - God power: Forest Fire, myth unit: Valkyrie
- Heimdall - God power: Undermine, myth unit: Einheri
- Heroic Age
- Njord - God power: Walking Woods, myth unit: Mountain Giant
- Skadi - God power: Frost, myth unit: Frost Giant
- Mythic Age
- Baldr - God power: Ragnarok, myth unit: Fire Giant
- Tyr - God power: Fimbulwinter, myth unit: Fenris Wolf Brood
Thor[]
God power[]
- Dwarven Mine: Creates a Gold Mine wherever the player wants it to be placed. The Gold Mine holds more gold if cast in later Ages and is mined faster. Any player can mine from it.
Technologies[]
- Hammer of Thunder: Gives Hersirs 15% damage buff and increased favor gain. (since Retold)
- Dwarven Weapons: All human soldiers, heroes, ships, and buildings have improved attack.
- Meteoric Iron Armor: All human units, heroes, and ships have reduced hack vulnerability. Ships also have reduced crush vulnerability.
- Dragonscale Shields: All human units, heroes, and ships have reduced pierce vulnerability.
- Pig Sticker: Villagers have +5 attack against animals and gather food from hunting 10% faster. (before Retold)
Unique building[]
- Dwarven Armory: Building that replaces the Armory. It has no Age restriction on technology research and enables three additional technologies. It also spawns a Dwarf for every technology researched from it. It researches slower in the Archaic Age, but becomes faster than others in subsequent Ages.
Bonuses[]
- Start with three Dwarves instead of three Gatherers.
- Dwarves cost -10 gold, and gather food and wood 15% faster, nearly as fast as Gatherers.
- Builds Dwarven Armory instead of Armory. Dwarven Armory can be built and research upgrades in any age, and can research three additional technologies.
- Receive a free Dwarf for each Dwarven Armory upgrade researched.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Forseti - God power: Healing Spring, myth unit: Troll
- Freyja - God power: Forest Fire, myth unit: Valkyrie
- Heroic Age
- Bragi - God power: Flaming Weapons, myth unit: Battle Boar
- Skadi - God power: Frost, myth unit: Frost Giant
- Mythic Age
- Baldr - God power: Ragnarok, myth unit: Fire Giant
- Tyr - God power: Fimbulwinter, myth unit: Fenris Wolf Brood
Loki[]
God power[]
- Spy: Secretly grants the Line of Sight of the targeted enemy unit or animal.
Technology[]
- Eyes in the Forest: Nearby animals and natural objects (trees, mines, Forage Bushes) which are within the Line of Sight of the player's units reveal the area around them. The effect continues to persist temporarily when the natural objects go out of view.
Bonuses[]
- Damaging enemy units can spawn myth units. (Human soldiers contribute 10%; Hersirs 50% of damage dealt.)
- Human soldiers and heroes +10% counter damage.
- Buildings (constructed by military units) are constructed 10% faster.
- Ox Carts are 50% cheaper.
- Transforming Gatherers and Dwarves into Berserks is 50% cheaper.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Forseti - God power: Healing Spring, myth unit: Troll
- Heimdall - God power: Undermine, myth unit: Einheri
- Heroic Age
- Bragi - God power: Flaming Weapons, myth unit: Battle Boar
- Njord - God power: Walking Woods, myth unit: Mountain Giant
- Mythic Age
- Hel - God power: Nidhogg, myth units: Mountain Giant, Frost Giant, Fire Giant
- Tyr - God power: Fimbulwinter, myth unit: Fenris Wolf Brood
Freyr[]
God power[]
- Gullinbursti: Temporarily summons Freyr's magical giant golden hero boar to defend a friendly Town Center.
Technologies[]
- Freyr's Gift: All units gain +10% hit points.
Bonuses[]
- Technologies cost -50% food, wood, and gold, but take 150% longer (for a total of 2.5×) to research.
- Hill Fort and Hill Fort units +10% damage.
- Repairing buildings is free.
- Gatherers and Dwarves can also repair any building. They repair walls 50% faster than normal builders.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Ullr - God power: Asgardian Bastion, myth unit: Draugr
- Freyja - God power: Forest Fire, myth unit: Valkyrie
- Heroic Age
- Aegir - God power: Tempest, myth unit: Rock Giant
- Bragi - God power: Flaming Weapons, myth unit: Battle Boar
- Mythic Age
- Vidar - God power: Inferno, myth unit: Fafnir
- Hel - God power: Nidhogg, myth units: Mountain Giant, Frost Giant, Fire Giant
Atlanteans[]
The Atlanteans, available in The Titans, worship Titans which function as the Atlantean gods. The Atlantean major gods are Kronos, the god of time, Gaia, Mother Nature, and Oranos, the god of the sky. Kronos focuses on siege weapons and myth units, Gaia on the economy, and Oranos on human units.
Kronos[]
God power[]
- Deconstruction: Enables the player to deconstruct an enemy building. The full resource cost of the building is returned to the player's enemy. Cannot be used against Town Centers, Village Centers, Wonders, or Titan Gates, and most buildings created by god powers.
Technology[]
- Temporal Chaos: Three buildings can be concurrently Time Shifted. -50% Time Shift cost for tower-line, Palaces, and Mirror Towers (only available since Retold)
- Focus: Oracle and Oracle Hero take -1.0 second to reach maximum Line of Sight; Oracle has +10% movement speed and Oracle Hero has +20% movement speed, +15% hit points and +10% attack (only available before Retold).
Bonuses[]
- Can time-shift buildings to new locations (towers and Palaces cost 50% of their price to shift, others are free).
- Buildings are constructed 25% faster per nearby Manor.
- Receive 2 free myth units instead of 1 when advancing to the next age.
- Lost siege and myth units return 20% of their resource cost.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Prometheus - Heroes
- Leto - Automatons
- Heroic Age
- Mythic Age
Gaia[]
God power[]
- Gaia Forest: Grows an aspen forest; each Gaia Tree provides 250 wood.
Technology[]
- Channels: Units move 15% faster on Lush.
Bonuses[]
- Start with two Hero Citizens and promoting Citizens to heroes costs -25%.
- Economic Guilds cost -35%. Economic Guild upgrades cost -35% and can be researched an age early.
- Economic buildings (Town Centers, Manors, Economic Guilds, and Markets) grow Lush.
- Lush heals the player's units and buildings (1 hit point per second).
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Heroic Age
- Mythic Age
Oranos[]
God power[]
- Shockwave: Flings enemy units into the air, damaging them slightly, and leaving them stunned for a few seconds.
Technology[]
- Empyrian Speed: Infantry +10% movement speed. (Since Retold)
- Safe Passage: Sky Passages cost -25% wood, -20% gold, have +1 ranged attack, and +6 Line of Sight. (Before Retold)
Unique Building[]
- Sky Passage: Portal that can be used to simultaneously teleport up to 100 units from one Sky Passage to another.
Bonuses[]
- Can build a new Sky Passage each age.
- Units can enter Sky Passages to instantly travel between them.
- All units have +4 Line of Sight.
- Damaged enemy units remain visible for 25 seconds.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Oceanus - Infantry
- Prometheus - Heroes
- Heroic Age
- Mythic Age
Chinese (Immortal Pillars)[]
The Chinese, introduced in Immortal Pillars, worship the Three August Ones, like their counterparts in Tale of the Dragon.
Fuxi[]
God power[]
- The Peach Blossom Spring: Target a location to create the Peach Blossom Spring, whose resource stockpile grows overtime. The Peach Blossom Spring's resources are gathered very quickly, but its stockpile stops growing once a worker starts gathering from it.
Bonuses[]
- God Blessing: Yin and Yang: Fuxi grants alternating bonuses, which swap every four minutes:
- Yin: Peasants and Kuafus gather 10% faster.
- Yang: Human soldiers and siege weapons +10% damage.
- On Favored Land: Buildings research 300% faster and Military Camp/Machine Workshop additions cost -50%.
- Gains access to Nezha in the Classical Age, an additional legendary hero that gets stronger each Age.
Heroes[]
- Nezha (Child) (Classical Age) ➞ Nezha (Youth) (Heroic Age) ➞ Nezha (Hero) (Mythic Age)
- Yang Jian (Mythic Age)
Myth technologies[]
- Celestial Weapons: Heroes gain extra divine damage.
- Tai Chi: Heroes gain more armor and are trained faster.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Heroic Age
- Goumang - God power: Forest Protection, myth unit: Taowu
- Nüba - God power: Drought, myth unit: Taotie
- Mythic Age
- Gonggong - God power: Great Flood, myth unit: Qinglong
- Huangdi - God power: Yinglong's Wrath, myth unit: Hundun
Nüwa[]
God power[]
- Creation: Target a location to create a number of Clay Peasants that last for a couple of minutes. Spawns more Clay Peasants in later Ages.
Bonuses[]
- God Blessing: Creator's Auspice: Nüwa reduces Peasant cost and improves building hit points as Favor is earned.
- On Favored Land: All building foundations, except Town Centers, walls, and Farms, automatically construct.[note 3]
- Buildings spread Favored Land +1 range further.
- Cavalry +10% hit points.
Heroes[]
Unique unit[]
- Clay Peasant: Temporary worker which emerge from the earth when Creation is used.
Myth technologies[]
- Kuafu Chieftain: Enables a Kuafu Hero which respawns upon death.
- Mountainous Might: Grants more attack, hit points, and range to Kuafu and Kuafu Hero.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Heroic Age
- Goumang - God power: Forest Protection, myth unit: Taowu
- Rushou - God power: Fei Beasts, myth unit: Baihu, Pixiu
- Mythic Age
- Gonggong - God power: Great Flood, myth unit: Qinglong
- Zhurong - God power: Blazing Prairie, myth unit: Zhuque
Shennong[]
God power[]
- Prosperous Seeds: Target two Farms to turn them into Shennong's Farms. They will produce food faster, heal nearby workers, and make friendly units on them invisible.
Bonuses[]
- God Blessing: Gift of Beasts: Shennong summons myth units from the next Age at your Temple for free as you earn Favor.
- On Favored Land: Myth units (land as well as naval and flying) recover 1.5/3/4.5/6 hit points per second in the Archaic/Classical/Heroic/Mythic Ages, respectively.
- Farms are available in the Archaic Age and are built automatically on Favored Land, near instantly.
- Plow, Irrigation, and Flood Control are researched instantly for free in their respective Ages.
Heroes[]
Myth technologies[]
- Herbal Medicine: While healing a target, the Sage heals surrounding units passively at reduced rates.
- Peach of Immortality: Heroes and myth units gain more hit points.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Houtu - God power: Earth Wall, myth unit: Qiongqi
- Chiyou - God power: Lightning Weapons, myth unit: Yazi
- Heroic Age
- Rushou - God power: Fei Beasts, myth unit: Baihu, Pixiu
- Nüba - God power: Drought, myth unit: Taotie
- Mythic Age
- Huangdi - God power: Yinglong's Wrath, myth unit: Hundun
- Zhurong - God power: Blazing Prairie, myth unit: Zhuque
Chinese (Tale of the Dragon)[]
Added in Tale of the Dragon, the Chinese major gods are Fu Xi, the Heavenly Sovereign, Nü Wa, the Earthly Sovereign, and Shennong, the Human Sovereign. Fu Xi focuses on buildings and heroes, Nü Wa on the economy and human units, and Shennong on Monks and siege weapons.
Fu Xi[]
God power[]
- Year of the Goat: Spawns a herd of Goats at a selected location. Spawns more goats if used in later ages.
Technology[]
- Domestication: Increases Peasant gather rate for herdable animals, Berry Bushes, Chickens, and Ducks.
Bonuses[]
- Can use Blessed Construction to speed up building construction.
- Buildings cost 20% less wood.
- All eight Immortals can be trained from the Archaic Age.
- Unit line upgrades 20% cheaper.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Huang Di - Economy
- Sun Wukong - Halberdiers and navy
- Heroic Age
- Mythic Age
Nü Wa[]
God power[]
- Recreation: Resurrects up to four fallen Peasants.
Technology[]
- Acupuncture: Gives Peasants regeneration of 0.5 hit points/second.
Bonuses[]
- Gardens generate favor 20% faster and provide +1 population.
- All human soldiers are 10% cheaper.
- Markets can be built in the Classical Age.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Heroic Age
- Mythic Age
Shennong[]
God power[]
- Timber Harvest: Lets the player's Peasants gather wood twice as fast for 50 seconds.
Technology[]
- Wheelbarrow: Lets Peasants carry +5 food, wood, and gold.
Bonuses[]
- Monks can convert myth units and heal faster.
- Siege weapons deal more damage.
- Wall upgrades are 50% cheaper.
Minor gods[]
- Classical Age
- Chang'e - Archers
- Sun Wukong - Halberdiers and navy
- Heroic Age
- Mythic Age
Notes[]
- ↑ It does not apply to Chiron when he is targeting a flying unit.
- ↑
- This is done by applying a multiplicative factor of 1.667 to the empower magnitude. This changes the Pharaoh-empower's magnitude from 1.2 to near about 2, and the Son of Osiris-empower's magnitude from 1.24 to 2.067 approximately.
- Due to an unknown reason, Wonders also generate double the favor when empowered. This is most likely unintentional.
- ↑ The bonus only applies to foundations initially placed on Favored Land. If a building foundation is placed outside Favored Land and subsequently the latter is extended over it, it will not construct automatically. Similarly, if the Favored Land influence is lost over the foundation, the automatic construction will be interrupted.
