The Aztec Military System Is a Treasure Trove for the Developers (Discussion)

[Trimyth1699]

First and foremost I would like to thank the developers for including the Aztecs in the game.
And second, thank you to the fans who have requested them time and time again. Without you, the Aztecs probably wouldn’t be here. We did it!

Back to the topic… so I did some digging albeit it was tough and there are some rough spots here and there. If you see any mistakes or errors please call them out as this was a bit of a challenge to make.

I have been speculating and pondering how some of these units would be portrayed in Retold.

Jaguar and Eagle warriors are probably the most famous Aztec units. And therefore, I believe they should not be considered as “hero” units.
Here are some reasons why:

1.) The Aztec military hierarchy system made it painfully clear that the Jaguar and the Eagle warriors are NOT the best of the best though were badass in real life. There were others who ranked above them.

2.) Because of their popularity, I think most fans would love to see them more in action. Which means they should be “regular” units that can be “spammed”. Kind of like how the “elite” samurais and shinobis are not hero types but instead are “regular” units that can be spammed.

3.) The Otomi warriors were fearsome. After their conquest by the Aztecs, the Aztecs were so impressed with their fighting that they adopted their name and uniform for the Aztec warriors who had captured five prisoners in battle. They are rank slightly higher than the Jaguar and Eagle warriors.

4.) The Shorn Ones (those who dressed in all yellow and would never back down) outrank them by far. Should the Shorn one be a regular or a hero type unit?

The Aztec system includes many different roles. Should a low ranked warrior progress through the ranks and eventually reach Jaguar, Eagle, Otomitl, or Shorn status through upgrades from buildings or armory improvements? And how should these branches be separated so the choices feel clear and not overwhelming?

Then there is the question of hero units. Who should fill that role? And how many? Maybe the Emperor, the Council of Four, and the warrior priests could work. I would love feedback from someone more familiar with the subject since some of the information below is incomplete.

Aztec Emperor:

Tlatoani

Council of Four:

Tlacochcalcatl (Master of the House of Darts) - Wears a skull helmet and white armor. He is actually a playable unit in Age of Empires III. Skull Knight.

Tlacateccatl (Cutter of Men)

Ezhuahuacatl (Rain of Blood)

Tlillancalqui (Master of the House of Darkness)

Warrior Priests?:

Huitznahuatl (Speaker of Thorn Words)

Ticocyahuacatl (Master of the Bowl of Fatigue)

The Council of Four roles are usually filled by 1 person each. Though it is AoM and things are just well more magically and fictionally exaggerated then maybe they can also be created multiple times as well.

Thoughts?

[Skadidesu]

I kinda think the moment a civ is announced it is already to late to make bigger suggestions since they usually (sorry AoE3DE) don’t announce DLC that are not mostly done already.

Though maybe this one is scheduled for the end of 2026.

[PadtheLad12]

They may do 2 a year, depending again on player numbers - they did n 2025.

With luck we’ll get Aztecs perhaps April/May, and a second civ (here’s hoping Celts), back end of 2026

[EricTheRed283]

The following are units in AoE III DE for Aztecs and quick thoughts I have about them possibly all being a unit for Aztec in AoMR.

In AoMR the Coyote Runner can be a faster infantry unit that fulfill the role of melee Cavalry.

In AoMR the Otontin Slinger can be the Aztec version of the Egyptian Slinger.

In AoMR the Puma Spearman for Aztec would be a typical melee infantry unit for fighting against Cavalry that civilizations have.

In AoMR Arrow Knights can be Aztec Foot Archers like many other civilizations have.

In AoMR Aztec Eagle Runner Knight can be a faster infantry unit that is a ranged alternative to fighting cavalry.

In AoMR Aztec Jaguar Prowl Knight can be your anti-infantry infantry unit.

In AoMR Skull Knights can be Aztec generalist unit.

In AoMR Aztec Warrior Priest could be a melee version of Egyptian Priests.

In AoMR Aztec Eagle Scout can be a single untrainable scout you start with similar to Greeks Kataskopos.

In AoMR your Aztec War Cheif can be a melee Hero that helps your regular units generate favor in combat when nearby. When killed a new one takes its place after a period of time like the Egyptian Pharaoh does.

[Skadidesu]

That would be awesome but I think we will get Demeter in the first half of the year and the Aztecs in the 2nd half. That would be the earliest announced DLC so far though.

The Expansion Pass will go for sale on December 18th, then we will probably know when the DLC is scheduled to release.

[PadtheLad12]

Agreed, we’ll know more on the 18th - having said that, I suspect (as do others), that they released the Japanese as part of the initial Expansion Pass so as to keep the more requested civs for future paid DLC. Which likely means that much of the Aztecs is already planned or fleshed out, perhaps even ready for a early-mid year launch. So hopefully they have somewhat of a DLC roadmap already.

[Armilus]

While I am absolutely prepared to eat my words at the first piece of solid evidence that even hints at me being wrong, I wouldn’t rule out another bundle being announced and enabled for preoder in late summer just yet.
Not expect it, I don’t mean that, but also, not rule out.

[Velk413]

@Skadidesu

That would be awesome but I think we will get Demeter in the first half of the year and the Aztecs in the 2nd half. That would be the earliest announced DLC so far though.

The verbiage of the road map post said it was a road map for the first half of the year, which means it would be reasonable to think all of what was discussed is scheduled for Q1 or Q2. It’s not a hill i’m going to die on but I could pretty easily see Aztecs coming out in May or so, and then another pantheon towards the end of the year.

[Skadidesu]

You’re right. Well if true then probably Demeter in Q1 and Aztecs in Q2. Doesn’t necessarily mean another pantheon in Q3/Q4 but probably more God packs.

[SoullessHeathen]

I hope they have a two tier system.

Peasant levies of various types trained at the Telpochcalli in the Classical Age and elite warriors trained at the Calmecac in the Heroic Age.

Basically what I wanted for the AoE3 Aztecs but never got.

[GoldenArmorX]

What excites me about this expansion is that it could really help me flesh out my ideas for my Aztec 2.0 concept for Age of Mythology IV.

AoE4 is still missing Aztecs, and since everything is more historically accurate and representative than AoE2, it’s a great service that another 3D game in the franchise has more content about the same civilization.

There are many things I liked about the Japanese in Age of Mythology:

• Bushido System: A myth invented in the 1615 Edo period, which states that the Japanese had honor in fighting with katanas and protecting the weak, the way of the sword, etc. Thankfully, since it’s a myth, they never included it in AoE4, but it fits perfectly into Age of Mythology, because it’s practically a game of myths, hehehehe.

• The Samurai as the perfect warrior: Another myth from the Edo period, emphasized by having a unit with more HP and population than the rest of the infantry in the game.

• *The Sacred Artifacts as Divine Power: The Yatai Mirror as a shield for Amaterasu, the matatama as lunar phases of Tsukuyomi, the divine sword of Susanoo.

• *First Human - Siege replacement: “He’s a sorcerer.” The Onmyōji, one of my favorite units in the game.

For the Aztecs, I expect at least two things:

• 1).- Human sacrifices in temples: Like in the animation of the “Return of the Gods” mod for Age of Empires.

• 2).- Humans - Siege replacement: Maybe more warlocks as Onmyōji.

• 3).- Blood, much blood.- At least it’s confirmed that there will be some thanks to the “Blood & Bones Pack” DLC."

[EverybodysFoo1]

i also agree with that. i think its too late to make suggestions especially major ones even they would release them end of of next year (which won’t happen according to the statement that they will release the next content first half 2026) so i assume Aztec will come May - June at the latest.

But i appreciate the enthusiasm and it makes me smile how happy Trimyth is. I personally am most hyped about the new refreshing architecture, maps and myth units.
But i also can see the interest to the potential fresh approach on military and heroes.

For me it was always a toss between Aztec and Maya but i personally just really wanted a representation of this unqiue culture. (after that Mesopotamian and then Celts)

I also quite enjoyed playing with the Aztec mod for EE. There were many cool units and interesting ideas - i assume some we might see in the official release but i still think they will try to do most “different” from the EE mods to set them apart more. But we will definitely see Jaguar and Eagle warrior and i am sure we will see a couple of the myth units the mods used aswell.

[LuckyTiger7076]

I think the nahoul are a perfect way for them to still have cavalry type unit in a logical way without having actuall cavalry. Just like how norse have throwing axe man and godi as archers without having a classic archer.