 |
This article is about the unit in Age of Mythology. For the similar unit in other games of the series, see Monk. |
Template:Infobox unitsThe Monk is a Chinese hero unit in Age of Mythology: Tale of the Dragon.
Attack Bonuses
- Myth Units x4.0
- Set Animals x3.0
Abilities
The most distinguishing feature of the Monk is that it is capable of converting hostile units, not unlike the Monk in Age of Empires II. The Monk can only convert human military units, not siege units, ships, myth units, etc., although worshiping Shennong allows Monks to convert non-Titan myth units as well. (Note: Conversions fail if the player has reached/exceeded their population cap.) Range: 15 meters.
Conversion time for each monk (adding more monks do not seems to affect conversion time).
- Human Units Conversion Time: 6–10 seconds (?)
- Myth Units Conversion Time: 15–20 seconds (?)
(Those values are from "proto2.5.xml" file, I am not sure if that mean seconds needed to convert)
The Monk can also heal friendly units at 7.5 HP per second. Range: 10 meters.
God Bonuses and Upgrades
Specific
Shennong enables Monks to convert Myth Units and heal faster (15 HP second).
General
Copper Weapons, Bronze Weapons, and Iron Weapons increase attack by 10%.- Copper Mail, Bronze Mail, and Iron Mail decrease hack vulnerability by 15%.
- Copper Shields, Bronze Shields, and Iron Shields decrease pierce vulnerability by 15%.
Strategy
The monk is stronger overall than the Egyptian Priest and deal decent damage with an attack bonus against myth units. However, due to the fact that it is a melee unit, combined with its slow speed, it takes a more supportive role in combat. It is capable of healing allies at a decent rate, so players may send their armies into battle and regularly retreat to a handful of waiting monks to restore their HP. On the other hand, monks can also be brought closer to the battle field to make use of their conversion ability. Monks convert enemy units at a decent rate and the conversion process can stack up on a single unit so opponents may see their forces quickly being turned against them. Converted units from other cultures will lose all of their upgrades (except Armory upgrades) and do not benefit from most Chinese technologies so they should not make up the bulk of an army. A possible exception to that rule would be in Supremacy battles when players rely on a Wonder to win. Players can mass Monks entirely and leave a decent population gap open to make conversion possible. Any siege, hero or (not counting Shennong) myth units remaining will be quickly taken out by the converted army or even the monks themselves.
History
| “ | “Heaven is the ultimate authority, the king of gods who should be admired by the king.” – Dong Zhongshu From its earliest forms Chinese religion has relied on priests and monks for spiritual guidance. During the Shang period beliefs centered around animism and ancestor worship. People believed in gods of the wind, sun, clouds, and moon. They also worshipped Shangdi, the preeminent god of human destiny and the forces of nature, and they invoked their ancestors to intercede with him. Priests relied on oracle bones to interpret Shangdi’s will, usually tortoise shells or the shoulder bones of cattle or oxen. They would write their questions on the bones, heat them, and watch and interpret the way they cracked. Shangdi evolved into the Chinese concept of Heaven during the Zhou period, a sky-god and supreme moral force which gave the emperors power and legitimacy to rule. This Mandate of Heaven was the divine concord by which the emperors retained power and exercised justice. By the Han Dynasty Shangdi was synonymous with Heaven, and also equated with the Jade Emperor of Taoism. | ” |
| —In-game help section | ||
Notes
- Monks without exception cannot convert the following units: Worker Units, Ox Carts, Heroes, Siege Artillery, airborne units, Animals of Set, Titans or Earth Dragon.
- Furthermore, Monks are unable to damage Worker Units, Ox Carts or the roots spawned from the Uproot God Power. The reason behind this is unknown.
- Shennong's monks can convert naval myth units, including Leviathans. If a Leviathan is transporting units upon conversion, the cargo will unload onto the shoreline if it's close enough. Otherwise, enemy units will remain trapped into the friendly Leviathan.
- Although they are heroes, monks cannot carry Relics.
Gallery
