Zapotec Cult of the Dead

Zapotec Cult of the Dead
Availability
Introduced in	The WarChiefs
Age	Discovery Age
Research
Researched at	Trading Post on a Zapotec settlement
Wood	200
Coin	200
Research time	10 seconds
Effect
Melee infantry attack +20%

“	Intensive Zapotec battle training increases hand infantry damage.	”
—In-game description

Zapotec Cult of the Dead is a technology in Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs that can be researched at a Trading Post built on a Zapotec settlement. Once researched, it increases the attack of melee infantry by 20%.

Strategy

• Zapotec Cult of the Dead is useful for any civilization with a heavy number of melee infantry Home City Cards or unique melee infantry units.
  • European civilizations, and the Japanese in regards to Ronin/Hatamoto Samurai (and boost them further with Stream of Enlightenment, and various buildings), via the Saloon or Consulate.
  • The Spanish ability to train Rodeleros, ship Swiss Pikeman, train Pirates and Ronin (and ship them), plus ability to create a Saloon and hire more hand infantry. Their high number of Rodelero cards, and the all purpose TEAM Hand Infantry card are useful as well. Finally, their ability to boost those units further with Unction.
  • Native American major civilizations for the Fire Pit dances, and ability to see the Zapotec settlements immediately without scouting.