Cheats and Console Commands
Welcome, seasoned commanders and aspiring emperors! This detailed guide will walk you through the various cheat codes and console commands available in Age of Empires III. Whether you're looking to quickly test strategies, enjoy a more relaxed gameplay experience, or simply have some fun with powerful abilities, these commands offer a wide array of options. Remember that using cheats typically disables achievements and can sometimes affect game saves, so use them wisely!
Activating Cheats
To activate most cheat codes in Age of Empires III, you'll need to open the chat console during gameplay. Follow these simple steps:
- During a game (either single-player skirmish or campaign), press the Enter key on your keyboard. This will open the chat window at the bottom of your screen.
- Type the desired cheat code exactly as it appears in the tables below, paying close attention to spelling and capitalization.
- Press Enter again to submit the code. A confirmation message or the effect of the cheat will usually appear.
Some cheats are activated via specific hotkeys, which are noted where applicable.
Resource Cheats
These cheats provide instant access to vital resources, allowing you to build up your economy and army without the usual grind.
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Grants 1000 units of Food | PEPPERONI PIZZA |
| Grants 1000 units of Gold | COINAGE |
| Grants 1000 units of Stone | QUARRY |
| Grants 1000 units of Wood | WOODSTOCK |
Unit and Building Cheats
These codes can dramatically alter your units and structures, giving you an edge in combat or construction.
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Spawns an Armed Lamborghini (a powerful, fast vehicle) | BIGDADDY |
| Transforms Catapult Triremes and Juggernauts into Flying Dutchmen (flying ships) | FLYING DUTCHMAN |
| Transforms Catapults into Big Berthas (enhanced catapults) | BIG BERTHA |
| Causes Catapults to launch people and cows (cosmetic effect) | JACK BE NIMBLE |
| Instantly completes all current buildings and upgrades in your queue | STEROIDS |
| Transforms Composite Bowmen into Stealth Archers (units with invisibility) | DARK RAIN |
| Allows control over wild animals | GAIA |
| Priests gain 600 HP and become the fastest units in the game | HOYOHOYO |
| Spawns a "PHOTON MAN" unit: a super soldier with 100 hit points, 15 damage points, and a nuclear laser | PHOTON MAN |
| Spawns an "E=MC2 TROOPER" unit: a super soldier with 100 hit points, 300 damage points, and a nuclear rocket launcher | E=MC2 TROOPER |
| Transforms villagers into Medusas (powerful, Gorgon-like units) | MEDUSA |
Map and Gameplay Control Cheats
These commands offer control over the game world, from revealing the map to instantly winning or losing a scenario.
| Effect | Code |
|---|---|
| Destroys all of your current units and buildings | HARI KARI |
| Disables the Fog of War, revealing the entire map | NO FOG |
| Increases the range of Helepolis units by 90 | ICBM |
Kills a specific computer opponent (must be followed by You number, e.g., KILL 2) |
KILL |
| Kills all units on the map (including your own) | DIEDIEDIE |
| Causes you to lose the current scenario | RESIGN |
| Reveals the entire map, including enemy positions and resources | REVEAL MAP |
| Causes you to win the current scenario | HOME RUN |
Hotkey-Activated Cheats (PC Only)
Some cheats are activated by pressing specific key combinations. These are often toggle effects or instant actions.
- Immutable Structure: Press CTRL + P. This cheat makes your selected structures invincible. Great for defending against overwhelming odds or protecting a key wonder.
- New Resource Menu: Press CTRL + T. This opens a special menu that allows you to spawn specific resources or units. Experiment with this for advanced control.
- Speed/Fast Construction: Press CTRL + Q. This significantly speeds up construction times for buildings and unit training. Ideal for rapid expansion or testing build orders.
- View Ending: Press CTRL + C. This immediately triggers the game's ending cinematic. Useful if you want to quickly see the conclusion of a campaign or scenario without playing through it.
Important Considerations
- Case Sensitivity: While many cheats are not case-sensitive, it's always best practice to type them exactly as shown to ensure they work.
- Single Player vs. Multiplayer: Most cheats are intended for single-player use (skirmish or campaign). Attempting to use them in multiplayer games will likely result in them not working or could lead to being disconnected or banned.
- Achievements: Using any cheat code will typically disable achievements for the current game session or save file. If you're aiming for achievements, avoid using cheats.
- Game Version: While these cheats are generally consistent across Age of Empires III versions, minor updates or expansions might occasionally alter or remove certain codes. If a code isn't working, double-check your game version.
Have fun experimenting with these powerful tools, commander!
Compare cheats and console commands inAge of Mythology: Retold