Minor Civilizations / Native Allies

Engaging with Minor Civilizations, often referred to as Native Allies, is a crucial aspect of mastering Age of Empires III. These indigenous settlements, scattered across the map, offer unique units, technologies, and resource bonuses that can significantly impact your strategic advantage. Ignoring them is a common mistake that can cost you valuable opportunities.

Locating Native Settlements

Native settlements are identifiable by their distinct structures, typically a central Native American Settlement building. They are often found near natural resources like forests or bodies of water, but can also be in more secluded areas. Early exploration with your Explorer unit is paramount to discovering these allies.

Explorer Scouting: Immediately send your Explorer to scout the map perimeter and any visible pathways. Prioritize areas that appear to have natural choke points or resource clusters, as Native Settlements often spawn in such locations.
Line of Sight: Expand your line of sight with your initial villagers and military units as you develop your base. The sooner you find a settlement, the sooner you can begin forging an alliance.

Forging Alliances

To ally with a Minor Civilization, you must construct a Trading Post on their designated plot within the settlement. This action consumes resources and takes time, but the benefits are well worth the investment.

Resource Cost: Building a Trading Post typically costs 200 Wood. Ensure you have sufficient wood gathered before sending your Explorer or a dedicated villager to construct it.
Construction Time: The construction time for a Trading Post is relatively quick, but it leaves your builder vulnerable. Consider sending a military escort if the settlement is near enemy territory or wildlife.
Multiple Settlements: You can ally with multiple Minor Civilizations on a single map, each offering different advantages. Prioritize alliances based on your current strategic needs and the units/technologies they offer.

Benefits of Native Alliances

Once allied, Native Settlements provide a range of powerful advantages that can turn the tide of battle or boost your economy. These benefits are accessed through the Trading Post.

Native Units

Each Minor Civilization offers unique military units that complement your existing army. These units often possess specialized strengths against certain enemy types or provide unique battlefield utility.

Iroquois: Known for their powerful Tomahawk infantry, excellent against other infantry, and the Forest Prowler, a stealthy ranged unit.
Aztec: Provide the formidable Jaguar Warrior, a heavy infantry unit, and the Puma Spearman, effective against cavalry.
Comanche: Offer the fast and deadly Comanche Rider, a light cavalry unit, and the Comanche Axe Rider, a powerful shock cavalry.
Mayan: Field the Mayan Spearman, a strong anti-cavalry unit, and the Mayan Archer, a versatile ranged unit.
Sioux: Grant access to the Sioux War Chief, a powerful cavalry unit with an aura, and the Sioux Bow Rider, a fast ranged cavalry.
Inca: Provide the Inca Bolas Warrior, a ranged unit that slows enemies, and the Inca Maceman, a strong melee infantry.

Recruiting Native Units costs resources (usually food and coin) and has a population cost. They are trained directly from the Trading Post.

Native Technologies

Beyond units, Native Settlements offer unique technologies that can enhance your economy, military, or even your Home City shipments. These technologies are researched at the Trading Post.

Resource Gathering Bonuses: Many Native technologies provide percentage bonuses to resource gathering rates for specific resources (e.g., +10% Food Gathering for Villagers).
Unit Upgrades: Some technologies can upgrade the stats of specific Native units, making them even more potent.
Military Enhancements: Look for technologies that boost the attack, health, or speed of your regular military units or provide unique abilities.
Home City Shipments: A few rare Native technologies can even improve the speed or contents of your Home City shipments, providing a significant late-game advantage.

Researching Native Technologies costs resources and takes time, similar to technologies researched at your own buildings. Prioritize technologies that align with your overall strategy.

Experience and Resource Trickle

Once a Trading Post is established, it generates a steady trickle of Experience Points (XP) and, in some cases, a small amount of resources (usually coin). This passive income helps you level up your Home City faster and provides a minor economic boost.

XP Generation: The XP trickle is constant and contributes to your Home City's level, allowing you to unlock more powerful Home City cards.
Resource Trickle: While not a primary income source, the passive coin generation can be useful for maintaining unit production or researching technologies.

Strategic Considerations

Early Game Priority: Forging alliances early can give you a significant advantage, especially if the Native units complement your civilization's weaknesses or the map's resources.
Defensive Placement: Trading Posts are vulnerable. Consider building them in defensible locations or providing military protection, especially if they are far from your main base.
Countering Opponents: Observe your opponent's army composition. If they are heavy on cavalry, an alliance with a Native Civilization offering strong anti-cavalry units (like the Aztec or Mayan) can be invaluable.
Resource Management: Balance the cost of building Trading Posts and training Native units with your overall economic development. Don't overcommit to alliances if it cripples your primary resource generation.
Map Specifics: Different maps feature different Minor Civilizations. Adapt your strategy based on the available allies and their unique offerings.

By effectively utilizing Minor Civilizations, you can unlock powerful new units, technologies, and economic advantages, giving you a decisive edge on the battlefield.