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This article is about the unit in the PC game. For the unit in the handheld video game, see Shade (Age of Empires: Mythologies).

Shade is a term used for several similar undead units in Age of Mythology. There are four types of Shade, but only the Hades Shades are normally available to the player, and the other three are Scenario Editor/campaign-exclusive variants. None of them are classified as either human unit, myth unit, or hero unit.

Hades Shade[]

โ€œFallen soldiers of Hades returned from the dead.โ€

The Hades Shade is an undead unit in Age of Mythology available to worshippers of the Greek major god Hades. Whenever one of Hades' human soldiers dies, there is a 20% chance that it will rise again as a Hades Shade at the earliest built Temple (still standing). A player may have a maximum of 25 Hades Shades.

Like heroes, Hades Shades gain hit points and attack through the Ages and are immune to the special attacks of myth units. However, they are not heroes and do not gain a bonus against myth units and cannot pick up Relics, nor are they myth units, and heroes do not have an attack bonus against them. They are not human units either; it seems they lurk in a shadowy half-existence outside the game's usual unit categories.

Upgrades[]

Strategy[]

Hades Shades are not specialists and have neither the strengths nor the weaknesses of other units. They do not have any attack bonuses. On the other hand, their immunity to myth units' special attacks and the fact that no unit has a bonus against them counts in their favor.

Hades Shades may be weak, but, like Militia, they only cost one population slot and are strong in numbers. Of course, to amass such numbers, the player will have to have done a lot of fighting and lost a lot of units: on average a player will gain 20 Hades Shades for every 100 human soldiers they lose. This may happen naturally in a defensive situation, but it is generally unwise to deliberately seek out such a strategy.

Changelog[]

Aom original icon Age of Mythology
  • Shades have 90 hit points.
AoM The Titans icon The Titans
AoM Extended icon Tale of the Dragon
  • Shades are now affected by Armory upgrades.

Shade (SPC)[]

โ€œSouls returned from the dead. Invisible to enemies. Great against myth units. Cannot attack buildings.โ€

In the Fall of the Trident campaign, friendly Shades are an important feature of the Strangers scenario and also appear in the Underworld section of the Good Advice scenario. These Shades have a different appearance; they do not have a sickle weapon, lack a lower body and are surrounded by a green fog. They have far more hit points than Hades Shades and are invisible to enemies. They can kill myth units and most human soldiers in a kamikaze fashion where they disappear after attacking an enemy.

ShadesSPC

Shades offering their help.

A Shade instantly killing an enemy.

Shade of Olympus[]

โ€œSouls returned from the dead. Invisible to enemies. Great against myth units. Cannot attack buildings.โ€

Shades of Olympus appear in the Mount Olympus scenario from the The New Atlantis campaign and the Yin and Yang scenario from Tale of the Dragon. These hostile shades are identical to the ones from the Fall of the Trident scenarios Strangers and Good Advice, except they only instantly kill myth units and are visible to the enemy.

Shade of Olympus

Shades of Olympus gathered around a Shrine.

Shade (RM)[]

โ€œAngry souls of the dead.โ€

On the Erebus random map, another type of Shade (confusingly also called a Hades Shade) appears as a neutral unit. These shades are the same as the standard Hades Shade except they do not gain Age Advance bonuses and have only 90 HP. Hades Shades are also present on the King of the Hill random map, guarding the central Plenty Vault, which needs to be captured in order to obtain victory. It is not strictly necessary to kill the Shades in order to capture it, as once a player's unit gets close enough to the Plenty Vault, it will switch to their control, and will not switch back to Mother Nature's control for the rest of the game.

Shade of Erebus

Hades Shades found on the map Erebus next to Wild Boars, ruins and a Relic.

Mythology[]

โ€œThe dead of Greek mythology became shades, empty ghost-like shadows of their former selves. Hades' land of the dead was not necessarily a horrible place to be, but it was without honor or glory. If anything, shades were pitied more than they were feared.โ€

Gallery[]

Units in Age of Mythology
Common
Non-military Fishingshipgreekicon Fishing Ship ยท Transportgreekicon Transport Ship ยท DonkeyCaravan Caravan (Donkey ยท Camel ยท Ox ยท Llama ยท Yak)
Myth units TitanGreekIconTitanEgyptianIconTitanNorseIconTitanAtlanteanIconTitanChineseIcon Titan
GreekPortrait Greeks
Non-military AoM Villager Greek Icon Villager ยท Kataskoposicon Kataskopos
Infantry Hopliteiconaom Hoplite ยท Hypaspisticon Hypaspist ยท MyrmidonIcon Myrmidon (Zeusยท MilitiaIcon Militia (Poseidon)
Archer Toxotesicon Toxotes ยท Aompeltasticon Peltast ยท GastraphetesIcon Gastraphetes (Hades)
Cavalry AoMHippikonIcon Hippikon ยท AoMProdromosIcon Prodromos ยท HetairoiIcon Hetairoi (Poseidon)
Siege AoMCatapultIcon Petrobolos ยท Helepolisicon Helepolis
Ships Triremeicon Trireme ยท Pentekontericon Pentekonter ยท Juggernauticon Juggernaut
Heroes JasonIcon Jason ยท TheseusIcon Theseus ยท AjaxIcon Ajax ยท OdysseusIcon Odysseus ยท HippolytaIcon Hippolyta ยท ChironIcon Chiron ยท PhysicianIcon Hippocrates ยท HeraclesIcon Heracles ยท AtalantaIcon Atalanta ยท AchillesIcon Achilles ยท BellephoronIcon Bellerophon ยท PolyphemusIcon Polyphemus ยท TheArgoIcon The Argo ยท PerseusIcon Perseus
Myth units PegasusIcon Pegasus ยท HippocampusIcon Hippocampus ยท CentaurIcon Centaur ยท MinotaurIcon Minotaur ยท CyclopsIcon Cyclops ยท NemeanLionIcon Nemean Lion ยท HydraIcon Hydra ยท ScyllaIcon Scylla ยท ManticoreIcon Manticore ยท ColossusIcon Colossus ยท MedusaIcon Medusa ยท CarcinosIcon Carcinos ยท ChimeraIcon Chimera
Other ShadeIcon Hades Shade
EgyptianPortrait Egyptians
Non-military Aomlaborericon Laborer
Infantry Aomspearmanicon Spearman ยท Aomaxemanicon Axeman ยท Aommercicon Mercenary ยท Khopesh Swordsman Icon Khopesh Swordsman
Archer Aomslingericon Slinger ยท AoMChariotArcherIcon Chariot Archer
Cavalry AoMCamelryIcon Camelry ยท Aomwarelephanticon War Elephant ยท AoMMercenaryCavalryIcon Mercenary Cavalry
Siege AoMCatapultIcon Catapult ยท Aomsiegetowericon Siege Tower
Ships Kebeniticon Kebenit ยท Ramminggalleyicon Ramming Galley ยท Warbargeicon War Barge
Heroes Pharaoh Icon Pharaoh ยท AoM Priest Icon Priest ยท SonOfOsirisIcon Son of Osiris
Myth units AnubiteIcon Anubite ยท PlagueOfSerpentsIcon Serpent / PlagueOfSerpentsIcon Sea Snake ยท SphinxIcon Sphinx ยท WadjetIcon Wadjet ยท PetsuchosIcon Petsuchos ยท RocIcon Roc ยท ScarabIcon Scarab ยท LeviathanIcon Leviathan ยท ScorpionManIcon Scorpion Man ยท MinionIcon Minion ยท PhoenixIcon Phoenix ยท WarTurtleIcon War Turtle ยท AvengerIcon Avenger ยท MummyIcon Mummy
NorsePortrait Norse
Non-military Gatherericon Gatherer ยท Dwarficon Dwarf ยท Ox cart Ox Cart
Infantry Ulfsarkicon Ulfsark ยท Aomthrowingaxemenicon Throwing Axeman ยท Aomhuskarlicon Huskarl
Archer Bogsveigir icon Bogsveigir
Cavalry AoMRaidingCavalryIcon Raiding Cavalry ยท Jarlicon Jarl
Siege Portableramicon Portable Ram ยท Ballistaicon Ballista
Ships Longboaticon Longboat ยท Drakkaricon Drakkar ยท AoMDragonshipIcon Dragon Ship
Heroes Hersiricon Hersir ยท Hero of Ragnarok Icon Hero of Ragnarok
Myth units RavenIcon Raven ยท TrollIcon Troll ยท ValkyrieIcon Valkyrie ยท EinherjarIcon Einherjar ยท Kraken-icon Kraken ยท MountainGiantIcon Mountain Giant ยท WalkingWoodsIcon Walking Tree ยท Frostgiant-icon Frost Giant ยท BattleBoarIcon Battle Boar ยท JormundElverIcon Jormund Elver ยท FimbulwinterIcon Fimbulwinter Wolf ยท FenrisWolfBroodIcon Fenris Wolf Brood ยท FireGiantIcon Fire Giant ยท NidhoggIcon Nidhogg
AtlanteanPortrait Atlanteans
Non-military Citizen icon Citizen ยท Oracleicon Oracle
Infantry Murmilloicon Murmillo ยท Katapeltesicon Katapeltes ยท Destroyer icon Destroyer ยท Fanatic icon Fanatic
Archer Arcus icon Arcus ยท Turmaicon Turma
Cavalry Contarius icon Contarius
Siege Cheiroballistaicon Cheiroballista ยท Firesiphonicon Fire Siphon ยท Atlantean Onager Icon Onager
Ships AoMBiremeIcon Bireme ยท Atlanteanfireshipicon Fireship ยท Siegebiremeicon Siege Bireme
Myth units AutomatonIcon Automaton ยท PrometheanIcon Promethean (PrometheanIcon Offspringยท CaladriaIcon Caladria ยท ServantIcon Servant ยท CarnivoraIcon Carnivora ยท NereidIcon Nereid ยท SatyrIcon Satyr ยท StymphaliaBirdIcon Stymphalian Bird ยท DryadIcon Dryad ยท BehemothIcon Behemoth ยท HekaGigantesIcon Heka Gigantes ยท ManOWarIcon Man O' War ยท ArgusIcon Argus ยท Lampades Lampades ยท TartarianSpawnIcon Tartarian Spawn
ChinesePortrait Chinese
Non-military PeasantIcon Peasant
Infantry Chinese Halberdier Icon Halberdier
Archer Chu Ko Nu Icon Chu Ko Nu ยท Mounted Archer Icon Mounted Archer
Cavalry CataphractIcon Cataphract ยท General Icon General ยท Scout Cavalry Icon Scout Cavalry ยท War Chariot Icon War Chariot
Siege Fire Lance Icon Fire Lance ยท Sitting Tiger Icon Sitting Tiger
Ships Junk Icon Junk ยท Fire Ship Chinese Icon Fire Ship ยท Siege Junk Icon Siege Junk
Heroes AoM Monk Icon Monk ยท Immortal Icon Immortal
Myth units QilinIcon Qilin ยท MonkeyKingIcon Monkey King ยท TotDTerracottaWarriorIcon Terracotta Warrior ยท WarSalamanderIcon War Salamander ยท Special-c-jiangshi-icon Jiangshi ยท Special-c-pixiu-icon Pixiu ยท Special-c-azure-dragon-icon Azure Dragon ยท Special-c-dragon-turtle-icon Dragon Turtle ยท Special-c-vermilion-bird-icon Vermilion Bird ยท TotDWhiteTigerIcon White Tiger ยท Special-c-earth-dragon-icon Earth Dragon
Other (non-campaign exclusive)
Cheat units Bella icon Bella ยท Hippo icon Flying Purple Hippo ยท Aomaxemanicon Forkboy ยท BrownBear icon Lazer Bear ยท ChickenIcon Methane Chicken ยท WalkingWoodsIcon Walking Berry Bush
Animals Hour of Alpacas Alfred ยท Wolf icon Arctic Wolf ยท Aurochs icon Aurochs ยท Baboon icon Baboon ยท Boar icon Boar ยท BrownBear icon Brown Bear ยท Caribou Caribou ยท ChickenIcon Chicken ยท CowAOM Cow ยท Crocodile icon Crocodile ยท Crane icon Crowned Crane ยท Deer icon Deer ยท DuckAoM icon Duck ยท AoM Hawk Icon Bird: Eagle, Hawk, Parrot, and Vulture ยท ElephantAOMicon (Indian) Elephant ยท Elk icon Elk ยท GazelleAOMicon Gazelle ยท LionAOMicon Golden Lion ยท Giraffe icon Giraffe ยท GoatAOM Goat ยท AoM Vulture Icon Harpy ยท Hippo icon Hippopotamus ยท Hyena icon Hyena ยท LionAOMicon Lion ยท LizardAoM icon Lizard ยท Monkey icon Monkey ยท PandaAoM icon Panda Bear ยท Pig icon Pig ยท PolarBearIcon Polar Bear ยท RamAoM icon Ram ยท Monkey icon Relic Monkey ยท Rhinoceros icon Rhinoceros ยท ShadeIcon Shade (RM) ยท Ulfsarkicon Skraeling ยท TigerAoM icon Tiger ยท Walrus icon Walrus ยท WaterBuffalo Water Buffalo ยท Wolf icon Wolf ยท YakiconAoM Yak ยท Zebra icon Zebra
Scenario Editor AchillesIcon Cataphract ยท Wolf icon Dog ยท AoM Vulture Icon Harpy ยท Triremeicon Monkey Raft ยท FenrisWolfBroodIcon Ornlu ยท Krios icon Regent ยท Transportegypticon Raft ยท Elk icon Reindeer ยท MountainGiantIcon Santa ยท Immortal Icon Servant Chinese ยท AoM Vulture Icon Vulture
Cut content GreekPortrait Greeks: Oxybeles
EgyptianPortrait Egyptians: Chariot ยท Gaiassa
NorsePortrait Norse: Heavy Cavalry ยท AlVsEb1 Hirdman ยท Knarr ยท Light Cavalry
ChinesePortrait Chinese: Guandao Pikeman ยท Meteor Hammer ยท Rocket Artillery
Nature: Unicorn ยท Wild Camel ยท Nubian Goats ยท Wild Horse ยท Shore Fish ยท Anchovies ยท Musk Ox
Hidden ApepIcon Apep ยท Bondi Icon Bondi ยท MinotaurIcon Golem ยท Griffon Icon Griffon ยท Revealer ยท CyclopsIcon Trollkarien ยท Living Statue William Walrus
Campaign-exclusive units, characters, buildings, technologies, and god powers in Age of Mythology
Aom original icon Age of Mythology
ProtagonistsAgamemnon Icon Agamemnon ยท AjaxIcon Ajax ยท Amanra Icon Amanra ยท Arkantos Icon Arkantos ยท Arkantos Icon Arkantos (uber) ยท Boar icon Boar (Ajax) ยท Boar icon Boar (Arkantos) ยท Brokk Icon Brokk ยท ChironIcon Chiron ยท Eitri Icon Eitri ยท OdysseusIcon Odysseus ยท Reginleif icon Reginleif ยท Setna icon Setna
AntagonistsCirce icon Circe ยท Gargarensis Icon Gargarensis ยท Kamos Icon Kamos ยท Kemsyt Icon Kemsyt ยท Living Statue Living Poseidon Statue ยท Skult icon Skult ยท AnubiteIcon Theris
Supporting charactersAthenaIcon Athena ยท Greta Forkbeard Icon Greta Forkbeard ยท GuardianIcon Guardian ยท Young Kastor Icon Kastor ยท Niordsir ยท AoM Villager Greek Icon Old Man ยท OsirisIcon Osiris ยท Krios icon Theocrat ยท Zethos
Other unitsStonewall icon Boulder ยท Kebeniticon Charon Ferry ยท Flag Bearer Icon Folstag Flag Bearer ยท Osiris Box Icon Osiris Piece Cart ยท Longboaticon Pirate Ship ยท PolarBearIcon Polaris ยท AoM Villager Greek Icon Prisoner ยท ShadeIcon Shade ยท Triremeicon Shipwreck ยท Statue of Lightning Icon Statue of Lightning ยท SwordBearersIcon Sword Bearers ยท Thor's Hammer icon Thor's Hammer Haft ยท Thor's Hammer icon Thor's Hammer Head ยท Trojan Horse Icon Trojan Horse
BuildingsStonewall icon Boulder Rolling Dead ยท Stonewall icon Boulder Wall ยท Statue Columns Icon AoM Columns ยท Dig Pile icon AoM Dig Pile ยท ArmoryIcon Dwarven Forge ยท ExcavationIcon Excavation ยท Fountain AoM Icon Fountain ยท Wall of Troy Icon Gate of Troy ยท GiantgateramIcon Giant Gate Ram ยท Hades Gate Hades Gate ยท Fence Icon Iron Fence ยท Fence Icon Jail Wall ยท Statue Lion Icon Lion Statue ยท Statue of Lightning Icon Major God Statue ยท Market icon AOM Market Stall ยท DockAOMIcon Naval Shipyard ยท Statue Obelisk Icon AoM Obelisk ยท Osiris Pyramid Icon Osiris Pyramid ยท Statue Pharaoh Icon Pharaoh Statue ยท GreekShrineIcon Shrine ยท GuardianIcon Sleeping Guardian ยท Living Statue Statue of Poseidon ยท Fence Icon Stone Fence ยท TempleAOMIcon Temple of the Gods ยท Tent Icon Tent ยท UnderWorldPassageIcon Underworld Passage ยท Stonewall icon Wall of Atlantis ยท Wall of Troy Icon Wall of Troy ยท UnderWorldPassageIcon Well of Urd ยท Fence Icon Wooden Fence
TechnologiesHammerOfTheGods Giant-slaying Blades  ยท MeteoricIronMail Osmium Mail  ยท DragonscaleShields Asbestos Shields
Embellishment objectsTamarisk Tree Icon Tamarisk Tree ยท Taproot Icon Taproot ยท Osiris Box Icon Osiris Piece Box
God powersBlessingofZeus Blessing of Zeus
AoM The Titans icon The Titans
ProtagonistsAjaxIcon Ajax ยท Amanra Icon Amanra ยท FolstagIcon King Folstag ยท Titan Gaia Icon Gaia ยท Adult Kastor Icon Kastor ยท SonOfOsirisIcon Son of Osiris
AntagonistsMelagius icon General Melagius ยท Titan Kronos Icon Kronos ยท Titan Prometheus Icon Prometheus ยท Kronny Icon Servant of Kronos
Supporting charactersArkantos Icon Arkantos ยท Atlantean Commander ยท Krios icon Krios ยท Zeno
BuildingsAutomaton icon Automaton Statue ยท Statue Chimera Icon Chimera statue ยท Statue Cyclops Icon Cyclops statue ยท Gaia Pool icon AoM Gaia Pool ยท Statue Hydra Icon Hydra statue ยท Statue Manticore Icon Manticore statue ยท Statue Nemean Lion Icon Nemean Lion statue ยท TempleAOMIcon Overgrown Temple ยท Statue of Melagius icon Statue of Melagius ยท TempleAOMIcon Temple of Kronos ยท AomWonderIcon Tower of Odin ยท Statue Valkyrie Icon Valkyrie statue
Embellishment objectsSummoning Tree icon AoM Summoning Tree
God powersDeconstructionWonderIcon Deconstruction Wonder ยท Seedofgaia Seed of Gaia
AoM Extended icon Tale of the Dragon
ProtagonistsJiao-Long Icon Jiao-Long ยท Shun Icon Shun ยท Zhi Icon Zhi
AntagonistsDanzhu Icon Danzhu ยท Yama
Supporting charactersSpecial-c-azure-dragon-icon Ao Kuang ยท Special-c-earth-dragon-icon Dilong ยท Krios icon Emperor Yao ยท TitanChineseIcon Pangu ยท Special-c-vermilion-bird-icon Vermilion Bird
Other unitsGriffon Icon Griffon
BuildingsExcavationIcon Dam ยท Tent Icon Roc Tent
Cut content
Cinematic hero g icon Misenus ยท Mnevis
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