Similar to the GermanDoppelsoldner and the JapaneseSamurai, the Skull Knight possesses high hit points, deals Area of Effect damage, has a massive siege damage against buildings, and has multipliers against cavalry. Although highly effective in melee combat, its low speed renders it vulnerable to artillery.
Skull Knights work well when used in numbers due to effects of their splash damage and resists against hand damage, but it is recommended to support them with Arrow Knights, since the latter's high range deals increased damage to counter artillery. Another strong combination is with the Coyote Runner, since they reach and attack ranged units more quickly, not only artillery but also infantry.
Special abilities[]
Obsidian Storm (automatically activated when attacking with a cooldown of 15 seconds): The Skull Knight performs a sweeping hand attack that does 30 hand damage without multipliers, with 4 Area of Effect. This is always based on their hand attack, meaning the Great Temple of Huiztilopochtli Support card increases the area of effect of this ability, as well as any attack increases boosting its damage, notable their War Ceremony at the Community Plaza, making this a devastating melee ability if well utilized.
Health Regeneration: Regenerates hit points when idle (0.25% per second after 3.5 seconds idle).
Strategies[]
When they are marching to enemy artillery it is highly recommended to use "In cover" mode against shots, and then change to normal mode once they are in melee range.
Another form to avoid too much range damage from artillery and infantry is placing only one unit in front, as units automatically attack the enemy units closer to them, leading to the artillery wasting shots.
Remember to place them a good distance or in a different way from the army because artillery has Area of Effect attacks, which could lead to the Skull Knights' deaths.
Against professionals, this strategy is less effective, as they will use their artillery more efficiently.
Try a Coyote and Arrow Knight combination with the Skull Knight army, making a more versatile composition.
With the Arrow Knight composition, it is preferable to place them in front. In that form, if the player sees artillery, they will attack as soon as possible. Otherwise, it is not necessary, because it makes the Arrow Knights too exposed.
Protect them from infantry and cavalry attacks with the Skull Knight army.
If the enemy uses their cavalry or infantry to kill the Arrow Knights, carry a Coyote army to ambush the artillery and long range infantry.
With the Coyote Runner composition, guide them in the front and the flanks of the Skull Knight army.
When the Skull army sees the enemy's army, retreat them a short distance and try to see if there are enemy artillery or skirmisher units with a Coyote or with a Knight. if there are, don't attack first with Skull Knights, but if there is, let them attack first and retreat the Skull Knight army, waiting for the cavalry or infantry to pursue it. Once they get close, ambush with Coyotes.
This tactic won't work if the enemy doesn't move their cavalry or infantry, but the Arrow Knight composition will help.
Always make tactic compositions.
Upgrades[]
The Skull Knight is automatically upgraded in every Age from the Fortress Age.
With update 23511, Skull Knights now have a ×2.2 multiplier against shock infantry, have an Obsidian Storm charged attack and can regenerate hit points.
History[]
“
In Aztec society, membership in the calpulli established each individual's religious and secular schooling, as well as how they would be trained in warfare. The men of a calpulli served together in battle and on the numerous public works projects. Their soldiers wielded weapons of wood and stone, and they often sought prisoners to be sacrificed in religious ceremonies.
The most-feared and powerful division in the Aztec army was made up of skull knights. Their name, Tzitzimitl, translates as "frightful specters," the skull knight dressed as a kind of undead horror, and the enemy often fled at their advance.
”
Trivia[]
Despide the in-game history information, Tzitzimitl was the name of minor female deities depicted as skeletal female figures wearing skirts (often with skull and crossbone designs).
The Skull Knight is based on Tlacochcalcatl, Aztec warriors whose role is similar to a general in modern times; the Tlatoani (Aztec emperor) was the only rank to supersede them.
Their weapon was known as Huitzauhqui.
As a side note, the Tlacateccatl (similar in appearance to a Champion/Legendary Puma Spearman but with a shield in addition) was second-in-command to the Tlacochcalcatl and the Tlatoani.
The Skull Knight's outfit appears to be based on the Osprey published book "Aztec Warrior".
Gallery[]
In-game Skull Knight
The Skull Knight's image from the history section
Skull Knight image from the Compendium section
In-game Skull Knight in the Definitive Edition
Aztec warriors from Folio 67 of the Codex Mendoza. The Skull Knight can be seen second from the left
Obsidian Storm (automatically activated when attacking with a cooldown of 15 seconds): The Skull Knight performs a sweeping hand attack that does 30 hand damage without multipliers, with 4 Area of Effect. This is always based on their hand attack, meaning the Great Temple of Huiztilopochtli Support card increases the area of effect of this ability, as well as any attack increases boosting its damage, notable their War Ceremony at the Community Plaza, making this a devastating melee ability if well utilized.
Maya Cotton Armor (+20%)
Cree Tanning (+5%)
Navajo Weaving (+5%)
Tar Kilns (+5%)
Zapotec Cult of the Dead (+20%)
Carib Kasiri Beer (+10%)
Master Lessons (+10%)
Yoga (+5%)
Mapuche Tactics (+50% siege attack)
Somali Oryx Hide Shields (+5% ranged resistance)
Quechuan Mountaineering (+10%)
Akan Fontomfrom (+5%)
Apache Endurance (+5%)
Immigrants (-5%)
Tezcatlipoca Worship (delivers 1 Skull Knight for every 4 minutes of the game time, up to 30 minutes)
Jagiellonian Legacy (delivers 2/3/5/8 Skull Knights if The Warrior was chosen for the Aztecs to reach the Commerce/Fortress/Industrial/Imperial Age respectively)
Knight Hitpoints
Knight Attack
Knight Combat
4 Skull Knights
5 Skull Knights
6 Skull Knights
7 Skull Knights
Wall of Skulls
Great Temple of Huiztilopochtli Support
Religious Unity
TEAM Yongle Infrastructure
TEAM Infantry Hitpoints
TEAM Scout Infantry
TEAM Inca Bridges
TEAM Shivaji's Tactics
TEAM Knights of the Round Table
TEAM Mariachi
TEAM Hand Infantry Attack
TEAM Spanish Inquisition
TEAM House of Bernadotte
Knight Hitpoints
Knight Attack
Knight Combat
