This DLC expands the Mesoamerican world by splitting it into two major cultural and gameplay regions, introducing new civilizations, regional units, architectural styles, and meaningful changes to existing civs.
Architecture
The current Mesoamerican architecture set is divided into two distinct styles:
North Mesoamerican (new)
Central Mesoamerican (current Mesoamerican set)
New Civilizations
Zapotecs (North Mesoamerican)
Infantry and shock-unit civilization
Castle Unique Unit – Warrior Chaman
Infantry unit that converts an enemy if it deals 50% or more of the target’s total HP in damage.
Barracks Unique Unit – White Crane Warrior
Shock skirmisher-type infantry. When placed in a defensive stance, melee units that attack it receive initial damage.
Tlaxcaltecs (North Mesoamerican)
Late-game cavalry and gunpowder civilization
Conceptually similar to the Mapuches, but adapted to a Mesoamerican context.
Castle Unique Unit – Xolotl Warrior
Represents the Tlaxcaltec alliance with Spanish conquistadors during the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
Dock Unique Unit – Bergantin
Basically a meso Cannon Galleon but it can packed and unpacked, similar to the Spanish Galleons during the siege against Tenochtitlan.
K’iches (South Mesoamerican)
Infantry civilization
Castle Unique Unit – Obsidian Axeman
Infantry unit. After losing 50% of its HP, the obsidian axe breaks and the unit switches to a weaker but faster weapon. If healed, the original axe does not regenerate.
Chontales (South Mesoamerican)
Spearman-focused civilization
Castle Unique Unit – Holcan Javelineer
Infantry unit. When it dies, one training slot for a Holcan Javelineer becomes available in the Barracks.
The unit is not free, but costs less than normal.
A second unique unit for both Chontales and K’iches could be considered.
Changes to Existing Civilizations
Aztecs
Receive North Mesoamerican architecture
Gain a new Imperial Age monk upgrade: High Priest
An improved monk with better conversion strength and healing capabilities.
New unique building: Tianguis
A hybrid structure combining Market and Dock functionalities.
Maya
A second unique unit could be considered, or an unique building.
For example:
Barracks Unique Unit – Skull Knight
Heavy infantry unit focused on raw combat strength.
New Regional Units
Atlatl Warrior
Regional ranged unit line that replaces the Skirmisher line for North Mesoamerican civilizations.
Macuahuitl Warrior
Regional infantry unit similar to the Champi line, replacing the Militia line from Dark Age to Imperial Age.
Does not replace the Eagle Warrior line, which remains available for both North and South Mesoamerican civilizations.
I think the bigger problem was adding the 3K civs (which are based on a fantasy book and not on the real time period) to an unrelated time period. And I hope you don’t use TTK as an example of what DLCs should be like.
I get wanting to have some Mayan representation as well, but i’d rather see one Mayan civ and add Purepechas. IMO any Meso DLC without Purepechas would be an even bigger miss than the South American DLC without Chimu.
I’d support a Maya split if that’d help in making an interesting campaign for them (although then you’d have to make a campaign for each new civ, unless it’s Dracula / El Cid style with switching civs every couple scenarios).
Edit: nah, better to keep civ slots open for peoples that aren’t represented yet.
that’s a whole lot of proposed changes for no reason. why should any of this be done? what problem do you see with the current design of these civs that your proposal addresses? is this just change for the sake of change?
New building that replaces mill, mining camp and lumber camp
New Champi line that replaces the Militia line
Slinger turned from unique to regional
Eagle line removed
New siege ship added
If a meso DLC is released, Aztecs and Maya will be updated as well, we like it or not. Maybe the High Priest upgrade for the monk is absurd, but new regional lines and buildings are always a possibility.
Not really, it lets people try out the new content without spending any money on it, which might cause them to like what they see and buy it when they otherwise wouldn’t have.
Thoughs on the Incas now that we have details? Tbh I think it’s fine, all they did was apply the slinger changes that happened for all the civs, swap Eagles/Militia for Champis, and give settlements. Even the bonuses the new stuff get is just extending existing bonuses/UTs to the new stuff where it makes sense.
i think it’s awful. they are completely revamping a perfectly functional civ. the devs are straight up stealing something we already have.
the change to settlements is a significant eco boost (even just the bigger surface area makes it stronger), slingers got completely reworked, removing eagles and mitlitia line is a another huge change.
this rework is a massive rework. I don’t want any of this bullshit that’s being forced down my throat.
