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| “ | Villager that constructs buildings and gathers resources. | ” |
| —In-game description | ||
The Settler is an economic unit in Age of Empires III that can be trained by European and American civilizations at the Town Center. Settlers are the backbone of every civilizations' economy, performing key tasks such as resource gathering and building construction. Unlike their equivalents in previous games, Settlers have a train limit.
In standard random map games, European and American civilizations start with six Settlers, although there are several exceptions (see Civilization differences).
The French have Coureurs des Bois instead of Settlers which are more expensive but are superior in combat and gathering. Native American, Asian, and African civilizations have Villagers which are identical in all but name to Settlers.
Tactics[]
Settlers can be garrisoned inside Town Centers, Outposts, and Forts to protect themselves from the enemy. A Settler is required inside a Town Center in order to activate its ranged attack.
However, if Settlers are put into combat, it is best to send them into melee range. Their ranged attack is relatively weak, and they can attack faster with melee compared to ranged.
Tasks[]
Settlers gathering food from a bison.
Settlers can be assigned with the following tasks:
- Settlers can build most of the buildings given the player has the right amount of resources and is at the right Age, and there are enough spaces for the building.
- Settlers can gather food from Berry Bushes, Cherry Orchards, and huntable animals. Settlers may also be tasked to a Mill, Farm or Rice Paddy which will generate infinite Food, but at a slower rate. Alternatively, food can also be gathered from livestock.
- Settlers can gather wood from trees which usually can be found plenty and rarely runs out. Alternatively, they can gather from Mango Groves.
- Settlers can gather coin from Mines and tasking settlers to work on an Estate or Rice Paddy will generate Coin, similarly to a Mill.
- When resource shipments arrive from the Home City, they do so in the form of Crates of Food, Cords of Wood, Chests of Coin, Collection of Books (experience), and Tokens of influence at the assigned shipment arrival point, which usually is the first Town Center, but can be changed to certain other units and buildings. They must be unpacked by a gatherer (such as the Settler) in order to add them to your resources.
- Similarly to heroes and Explorers, Settler may also collect Treasures.
Civilization differences[]
- The British get one free Settler when a Manor is built. With the "Estates" Home City Card, Settlers can be trained at Manors, although their train time is doubled in both Manors and Town Centers.
- Dutch Settlers cost 100 coin and have a train limit of 50, but gather from mines 15% faster.
- The Germans start with 3 Settler Wagons instead of Settlers, but can still train Settlers.
- The Italians receive a free Settler with every technology researched.
- Mexican Settlers have a train limit of 85, but can be automatically spawned by Haciendas from the Fortress Age.
- Ottoman Settlers are automatically spawned by Town Centers, which takes almost twice as long as training them (48 seconds instead of the normal 25 seconds per Settler); the spawn rate can be increased by Millet System, Koprulu Viziers, and Grand Bazaar. They also start with a limit of 25, which can be increased to 45 with Galata Tower District, 70 with Topkapi, and 99 with Tanzimat.
- The Portuguese start with 7 Settlers.
- Russian Settlers are trained in groups of three, which are individually 10% cheaper (costing 270 food total) and 42% faster (taking 53 seconds). However, they start with only 5 Settlers.
Revolution[]
In The WarChiefs and The Asian Dynasties, when a European player revolts, all of their Settlers will turn into Revolutionaries which can be trained in place of Settlers at Town Centers (and Manors for the British if the "Estates" Home City Card has been sent before revolting).
In the Definitive Edition, the Settler's interaction with revolution has been expanded:
- Settlers will turn into Revolutionaries when a European or Mexican player revolts to most revolutionary nations except the following, where they turn into different units:
- When a European player revolts to Canada (as the British) or South Africa, they will retain Settlers but with the following changes:
- Revolting to South Africa increases Settlers' gather rate by 10%.
- Most revolutionary nations have the "Citizenship" Home City Card which allows them to train Settlers as Citizens, but they cost 70 coin. The "Salitrera" card for Chile also have the same effect.
- Barbary States, Brazil, and Indonesia have the "Dhimma", "Minas Gerais", and "Aceh Pepper Exports" Home City Card which allows them to train Settlers as they were before revolting.
Métis Pathfinder[]
Revolting to Canada as the British turns Settlers into Métis Pathfinders with +17 ranged attack but are otherwise identical in all but name and appearance.
Further statistics[]
| Unit strengths and weaknesses | |
|---|---|
| Strong vs. | Nothing |
| Weak vs. | Everything, especially Oprichniks |
| Improvements | |
| Gathering speed |  Klamath Work Ethos (+5%) Fasting (+10%) Punjabi New Year (+10% from Mills/Farms/Estates/Rice Paddies/Fields/Haciendas)
|
| Hit points |  Great Coat (+35%) Nootka Bark Clothing (+50%) Apache Cactus Use (+15%) Frontiersmen (+35%; United States and Mexicans only) Berber Kings of the Desert (+35%)
|
| Attack |  Blunderbuss (+3)
|
| Range | Blunderbuss (+4) Frontiersmen (+6; United States and Mexicans only)
|
| Sight | Blunderbuss (+4) Town Watch (+2) Frontiersmen (+6; United States and Mexicans only)
|
| Speed | Apache Cactus Use (+15%)
|
| Creation speed |  Millet System (-5 seconds; Ottomans only) Koprulu Viziers (-5 seconds; Ottomans only) Grand Bazaar (-8 seconds; Ottomans only) Christian Schools (-15%)
|
| Other |  Galata Tower District (increase train limit to 45; Ottomans only) Topkapi (increase train limit to 70; Ottomans only) Tanzimat (increase train limit to 99; Ottomans only) Sequoyah's Cherokee Syllabary (ships 4 Settlers) Sharia (+10% train limit) Yoruba Herbalism (regenerate hit points when close to a tree or Berry Bush)
|
| Penalties |  Encomienda Manor (-5% gather rate from anything but Mills; Portuguese only) Tax Burden (-40% hit points; Knights of St. John only) Fasting (-40% hit points)
|
Home City Cards[]
- Click for a list of Home City Cards related to the Settler
- Green: TEAM Shipment that is sent to each player in a team
- Purple: Shipment that can be sent an INFINITE number of times
- Blue: Shipment that arrives fast (5 seconds)
All[]
| Card | Description | Age | HC level |
|---|---|---|---|
 4 Settlers
|
Ships 4 Settlers |  |
1 |
 Pioneers
|
Villagers get +65% hit points |  |
1 |
 Sawmills
|
Villagers gather from trees and Mango Groves 15% faster; Trees and Mango Groves last 15% longer | |
10 |
 Exotic Hardwoods
|
Villagers gather from trees and Mango Groves 20% faster | |
25 |
 Establish Ironmonger
|
Villagers gather from mines 20% faster | |
1 |
 Silversmith
|
Villagers gather from mines 20% faster; Mines last 20% longer | |
10 |
 TEAM Food Silos
|
Villagers gather from Mills, Farms, Rice Paddies (food), Fields (food), and Haciendas (food) 10% faster | |
1 |
 Sustainable Agriculture
|
Villagers gather from Mills, Farms, Rice Paddies (food), Fields (food), and Haciendas (food) 15% faster | |
10 |
 Refrigeration
|
Villagers gather from Mills, Farms, Rice Paddies (food), Fields (food), and Haciendas (food) 20% faster |  |
25 |
 Furrier
|
Villagers gather from huntable animals 15% faster and gather from Berry Bushes and Cherry Orchards 20% faster; Huntable animals last 7.5% longer; Berry Bushes and Cherry Orchards last 10% longer | |
1 |
 TEAM Furrier
|
Villagers gather from huntable animals 10% faster and gather from Berry Bushes and Cherry Orchards 15% faster; Huntable animals last 5% longer; Berry Bushes and Cherry Orchards last 7.5% longer | |
1 |
 Spice Trade
|
Villagers gather from huntable animals, Berry Bushes and Cherry Orchards 20% faster; Huntable animals, Berry Bushes and Cherry Orchards last 10% longer | |
10 |
 Rum Distillery
|
Villagers gather from Estates, Rice Paddies (coin), Fields (coin), and Haciendas (coin) 20% faster | |
1 |
 Cigar Roller
|
Villagers gather from Estates, Rice Paddies (coin), Fields (coin), and Haciendas (coin) 20% faster | |
1 |
 Textile Mill
|
Villagers gather from Estates, Rice Paddies (coin), Fields (coin), and Haciendas (coin) 25% faster | |
10 |
 Medicine
|
Land economic units' cost train time -15% | |
25 |
 TEAM Medicine
|
Land economic units' train time -15% | |
25 |
- "4 Settlers" is not available to Germans, Portuguese, Russians, and United States.
- "TEAM Food Silos" is available to Germans and Haudenosaunee.
- "Establish Ironmongers card" not available to the Russians; Ottomans and Spanish have "TEAM Ironmongers" instead of "Establish Ironmongers".
- "Furriers" is not available to British and Dutch; The Russians have "TEAM Furriers" card instead of "Furriers".
- "TEAM Furrier" is available to Haudenosaunee and Russians.
- The Dutch have "TEAM Spice Trade" instead of "Spice Trade".
- "Economic Theory" is not available to British and Dutch.
- "Rum Distillery" and "Textile Mill" are not available to the Ottomans; The British have "TEAM Rum Distillery" instead of "Rum Distillery".
- "Medicine" is not available to the Ottomans; "TEAM Medicine" is available to Aztecs, Haudenosaunee, and Indians.
- "Sawmills" is not available to the United States.
- "Refrigeration", "Royal Mint", "Rum Distillery", "Cigar Roller" and "Textile Mill" cards are not available to Knights of St. John..
- "Refrigeration" and "Textile Mill" are not available to John Black's Mercenaries.
- "Refrigeration" and "Cigar Roller" are not available to the United States (Act III).
Aztecs[]
| Card | Description | Age | HC level |
|---|---|---|---|
 TEAM Exotic Hardwoods
|
Villagers gather from trees and Mango Groves 15% faster | |
25 |
 TEAM Silversmith
|
Villagers gather from mines 10% faster; Mines last 10% longer | |
1 |
British[]
| Card | Description | Age | HC level |
|---|---|---|---|
 8 Settler
|
Ships 8 Settlers | |
25 |
 Estates
|
Manors become Estates which can train Settlers; Settler train time +100% |  |
10 |
 Fulling Mills
|
Villagers gather from livestock 300% faster | |
1 |
 TEAM Rum Distillery
|
Villagers gather from Estates, Rice Paddies (coin), Fields (coin), and Haciendas (coin) 15% faster | |
1 |
Dutch[]
| Card | Description | Age | HC level |
|---|---|---|---|
 TEAM Spice Trade
|
Villagers gather from huntable animals 10% faster and gather from Berry Bushes and Cherry Orchards 15% faster; Huntable animals last 5% longer; Berry Bushes and Cherry Orchards last 7.5% longer | |
10 |
Europeans[]
| Card | Description | Age | HC level |
|---|---|---|---|
 2 Settlers
|
Ships 2 Settlers | |
1 |
 3 Settlers
|
Ships 3 Settlers | |
10 |
 5 Settlers
|
Ships 5 Settlers | |
10 |
 TEAM Ironmonger
|
Villagers gather from mines 10% faster | |
1 |
 Food Silos
|
Villagers gather from Mills, Farms, Rice Paddies, (food), Fields (food), and Haciendas (food) 15% faster | |
1 |
 Royal Mint
|
Villagers gather coin 25% faster | |
25 |
 Economic Theory
|
Villagers and Fishing Boats gather 10% faster | |
40 |
- "2 Settlers" and "3 Settlers" are not available to Germans, Portuguese and Russians.
- "5" Settlers card is available to British and Spanish.
- "TEAM Ironmongers" is available to Ottomans and Spanish.
- "Food Silos" is available to Dutch and Russians.
- "Economic Theory" is not available to British and Dutch.
French[]
| Card | Description | Age | HC level |
|---|---|---|---|
 TEAM Sawmills
|
Villagers gather from trees and Mango Groves 10% faster; Trees and Mango Groves last 5% longer | |
10 |
Indians[]
| Card | Description | Age | HC level |
|---|---|---|---|
 TEAM Shivaji's Tactics
|
All units get +5% hit points and attack | |
25 |
Japanese[]
| Card | Description | Age | HC level |
|---|---|---|---|
 TEAM Pioneers
|
Villagers get +35% hit points | |
1 |
 TEAM Chonindo
|
Villagers, Fishing Boats, and Abuns gather 8% faster | |
40 |
Mexicans[]
| Card | Description | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Alhóndiga de Granaditas | Ships 1 Hacienda Wagon and 2 Settlers | |
| Mexican Mint | Villagers gather coin 15% faster; Ships 500 coin | |
| Jalapeno Peppers | For the next 30 seconds, villagers gather food and coin from Haciendas 250% faster; Villagers gather food and coin from Haciendas 5% faster | |
| Habanero Peppers | For the next 60 seconds, villagers gather food and coin from Haciendas 100% faster; Villagers gather food and coin from Haciendas 10% faster | |
| TEAM Copper Canyon | Villagers gather from trees and mines 10% faster; Ships 1 Prospector Wagon | |
Federal[]
| Card | Description |
|---|---|
| Tlaxcala Textiles | Ships 3 Settlers for every Hacienda built |
| Sonora Valleys | Villagers gather from livestock and natural resources 25% faster |
| Tabasco Fruits | For the next 60 seconds, villagers gather from Haciendas 250% faster |
| Sierra Madre Forests | Gives a trickle of 3 wood; Villagers gather from trees 30% faster; Trees last 30% longer |
| Tonalá Ceramics | Villagers gather coin from Haciendas 15% faster |
Spanish[]
| Card | Description | Age | HC level |
|---|---|---|---|
 TEAM Inquisition
|
All units get +10 LOS | |
10 |
United States[]
| Card | Description | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Lumber Mills | Ships 400 wood; Villagers gather from trees and Mango Groves 10% faster | |
| Minneapolis Mills | Ships 800 food; Villagers gather from Mills 10% faster | |
 Irish Immigrants
|
[Immigrant] Ships 2 Settlers and 2 additional Settlers for every 5 minutes of the game time (up to 30 minutes) | |
Federal[]
| Card | Description |
|---|---|
 Slater Textile Mill
|
Gives 30 food or 20 wood (selected randomly) for every existing Settler and Fishing Boat; Land economic units cost -30 food; Fishing Boats cost -20 wood |
 Indiana Mobilization
|
Ships 1 Carbine Cavalry for every shipment that had been sent by the player, including this one; Unit train time, technology research time, and Age up time -10%; Costs 500 wood |
 Overmountain Settlers
|
Villagers get +12 ranged attack; Natural resources last 25% longer; Ships 4 Settlers |
 Vermont Coppers
|
Estate technologies are free and researched instantly; Coin gather rate +5% |
 Deere Steel Plow
|
Villagers gather from Mills and Estates 10% faster |
Changelog[]
Definitive Edition[]
- Originally, the Canada revolution increases the ranged attack of Settlers by 13. With update 3552, the Canada revolution increases the ranged attack of Settlers by 17.
- Originally, Mexican Settlers had a train limit of 80. With update 61213, Mexican Settlers have a train limit of 85.
Trivia[]
- Settlers come in the forms of men and women and the gender is randomly decided upon being trained from the Town Center. This feature is present since Age of Empires II.
- German, Russian and Swedish settlers wear thick winter clothing while Ottoman, Mexican, Portuguese, and Spanish dress for sunny weather, men especially, who wear sombreros. British, Dutch and United States men don't wear hats and are dressed lightly, with breeches. They resemble the settler icon the most.
- Additionally, while the icon shows white Settlers, the racial appearance of Settlers is also randomized, and the Settlers in game can appear as being of European, African, or Native American extraction. In contrast, European military units are always white.
- Settlers always speak in the same language as the playing civilization and sound modest and willing.
- Settlers seen as Treasures (trapped by wild animals or tightened up by bandits) have the British, Dutch and United States appearance, but upon being rescued, will immediately turn into the appearance of the Settlers/Villagers of their rescuers.
- This is also the only way for the French, Native American and Asian civilizations to acquire Settlers and will sound as Coureur des Bois or Villagers, respectively. In the case of the French, it was also the only way to acquire female units, but certain Politicians in the Definitive Edition are another way. The French Settlers have the same appearance as the British, Dutch and United States Settlers.
History[]
| “ | Highly industrious and loyal to a fault, the Settler lives to work for you. Whether it's chopping down the seventeen thousandth tree, scurrying across the map to a distant pile of silver ore, or endlessly toiling away at a mill, the Settler is ready to happily tackle any tedious task. The Settler’s hobbies include running away from enemy soldiers, getting thrown into the river by enemy cannon fire, and crochet. | ” |
Gallery[]
Two East European Settlers
A Settler at work
British, Dutch, and United States Settler variant
Mexican, Ottoman, Portuguese, and Spanish Settler variant
German, Russian, and Swedish Settler variant
