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This article is about the map in Age of Empires III. For the map in the other games of the series, see The Unknown. |
Minimap of Unknown
| “ | The mysterious Unknown! Snow or desert, land or water, Trade Routes or Natives or both - you never quite know what you're going to get. Expect the unexpected! | ” |
| —In-game information | ||
Unknown is a random type map available in Age of Empires III since patch 1.07 which also features Hispaniola. The unique part of the map is that it has many different variations and possibilities making it a surprise every time. Just as the maps introduction suggests, "Expect the unexpected for Unknown!"
Overview[]
| “ | Unknown: a mysterious uncharted wilderness. | ” |
| —In-game description | ||
Unknown can consist of just about anything; a Trade Route, numerous minor civilizations, resources and so forth. There is a potential for Unknown to have ocean, allowing for water booms if possible. If water is present in the map, every player is guaranteed a naval buoy. The setting of Unknown varies, and so does its treasures. The terrain is generally not an issue, but there is a potential to have a cave system in the map, or an inaccessible area in the center.
In the Definitive Edition, players frequently start with a random set of bonus units (including hero units), wagons/travois, Settlers, and resource crates. Most common are Outpost Wagons and Dock Wagons, but there are also economic buildings like a Village Rickshaw, a Livestock Market Builder or Hacienda Wagon. Some Wagons will even construct special buildings which function like a minor civilization the player gets access to from the start. Examples are two Commanderies which might let the player train Maltese Settler Wagons, Gendarmes, Garrochistas, Hussars, and Dragoons, a special Battery Tower which gives access to all technologies and units from the House of Wettin, a special Watch Tower offering most units and technologies from the Barbary Pirates from the Historical Battles, as well as a special Native Embassy which (similarly to the card Prince-Electors) lets the player choose one out of three regular or "Historical Battle"-exclusive (Lenape and Outlaws) minor civilizations to ally with, including technologies and units.
Likewise, all minor civilizations available to the player can be found, and multiple of them can be found on the same map, usually around eight to ten with four or five different types. In the Definitive Edition, the player can also find African Kingdoms and Royal Houses even if they haven't bought their respective expansions.
- Variable
- Variable
History[]
| “ | Explorers, wanderers, and nomads travel great distances uncertain how the journey will end. Will it end in prosperity or poverty? Fame, death, sadness, or glory? Find out what lies beyond the horizon... | ” |
| —History file | ||
Trivia[]
- Before the Definitive Edition, only American minor native settlements would appear in the map, except for the Apache, for unknown reasons. This was fixed in the Definitive Edition, where all minor civilizations may appear, including the Lenape, which are otherwise exclusive to the Battle of Queenston Heights scenario. The minor civilizations removed in The WarChiefs, which are otherwise only still available in the campaigns, might also appear sometimes.
Gallery[]
