Myth Unit Counters & Weaknesses

Myth Units (MUs) are powerful, but not invincible. Understanding their specific weaknesses and how to counter them effectively is crucial for dominating the battlefield in Age of Mythology: Retold. This section will provide actionable strategies and unit compositions to dismantle even the most formidable mythical foes.

General Principles for Countering Myth Units

Focus Fire: MUs often have high health pools but can be brought down quickly if your units concentrate their attacks.
Counter Units: Many MUs have specific counter units that deal bonus damage. Prioritize these whenever possible.
Hero Units: Heroes deal bonus damage to all Myth Units. Always include a few in your army composition, especially when engaging MUs.
God Powers: Certain God Powers can be devastating against MUs, either by directly damaging them or by disabling their abilities.
Terrain Advantage: Utilize terrain to your advantage. Chokepoints can limit the effectiveness of large MUs, while open fields might favor ranged counters.

Specific Myth Unit Counters & Strategies

Greek Myth Units

Minotaur:
- Weakness: Slow movement speed, vulnerable to ranged attacks.
- Counters:
  - Archers (e.g., Toxotes, Gastraphetes): Keep them at maximum range and kite the Minotaur.
  - Cavalry (e.g., Hippikon): Can outmaneuver and surround Minotaurs, dealing consistent damage while avoiding their powerful charge.
  - Heroes: A few Heroes can quickly dispatch Minotaurs.
- Strategy: Lure Minotaurs into open areas where your ranged units can fire freely, or engage them with a cavalry flank.
Cyclops:
- Weakness: Single-target attack, vulnerable to swarming tactics.
- Counters:
  - Infantry (e.g., Hoplite, Peltast): A large group of infantry can surround and overwhelm a Cyclops before it can deal significant damage.
  - Archers: Similar to Minotaurs, ranged units can whittle down a Cyclops from a distance.
  - Heroes: Essential for quickly eliminating Cyclops due to their bonus damage.
- Strategy: Engage with a mixed force of infantry and heroes, ensuring your infantry absorb the initial blows while heroes deal critical damage.
Colossus:
- Weakness: Very slow, high pierce armor but low hack armor.
- Counters:
  - Siege Weapons (e.g., Catapult, Ballista): Deal massive hack damage, making them incredibly effective against Colossi.
  - Infantry (e.g., Hoplite, Myrmidon): While risky due to the Colossus's area-of-effect attack, a large group of upgraded infantry can eventually bring it down.
  - Heroes: Crucial for their bonus damage, but ensure they are not caught in the Colossus's stomp.
- Strategy: Prioritize siege weapons. If unavailable, use a large infantry force supported by heroes, focusing on surrounding the Colossus to minimize its splash damage.

Egyptian Myth Units

Wadjet:
- Weakness: Low hack armor, vulnerable to melee units.
- Counters:
  - Infantry (e.g., Spearmen, Axemen): Can quickly close the distance and deal significant hack damage.
  - Cavalry (e.g., Camel Rider): Faster than Wadjets, allowing them to chase down and eliminate these ranged MUs.
  - Heroes: Always effective, especially against the Wadjet's relatively low health pool.
- Strategy: Engage with fast melee units to prevent the Wadjet from kiting.
Scarab:
- Weakness: Slow, high hack armor but low pierce armor.
- Counters:
  - Archers (e.g., Chariot Archer, Slingers): Deal pierce damage, which Scarabs are weak against.
  - Siege Weapons (e.g., Siege Tower): Can also deal pierce damage and have good range.
  - Heroes: Their bonus damage helps overcome the Scarab's high hack armor.
- Strategy: Prioritize ranged units and keep them at a distance. Avoid engaging with melee infantry unless absolutely necessary.
Mummy:
- Weakness: Low health, slow, vulnerable to ranged attacks. Its special ability (mummification) can be devastating, so prevent it from getting close.
- Counters:
  - Archers: Can easily pick off Mummies from a distance before they can use their ability.
  - Cavalry: Fast units can quickly close the gap and eliminate Mummies.
  - Heroes: Crucial for their bonus damage and ability to quickly dispatch Mummies.
- Strategy: Focus fire with ranged units or use fast cavalry to eliminate Mummies before they can mummify your units.

Norse Myth Units

Troll:
- Weakness: Slow, vulnerable to ranged attacks.
- Counters:
  - Archers (e.g., Throwing Axemen, Longhouse Archers): Keep them at range and kite.
  - Cavalry (e.g., Raiding Cavalry): Can quickly surround and eliminate Trolls.
  - Heroes: Effective due to their bonus damage.
- Strategy: Use hit-and-run tactics with ranged units or overwhelm with cavalry.
Mountain Giant:
- Weakness: Slow, high hack armor but low pierce armor.
- Counters:
  - Archers (e.g., Throwing Axemen): Deal pierce damage, which Mountain Giants are weak against.
  - Siege Weapons (e.g., Portable Ram): While primarily for buildings, their hack damage can be effective if no other options are available.
  - Heroes: Essential for their bonus damage.
- Strategy: Focus on ranged units and heroes. Avoid direct melee engagement with standard infantry unless you have a significant numbers advantage.
Fenris Wolf:
- Weakness: Low health, vulnerable to ranged attacks and swarming.
- Counters:
  - Archers: Can easily pick off Fenris Wolves from a distance.
  - Infantry (e.g., Ulfsark): A large group of infantry can surround and quickly eliminate Fenris Wolves.
  - Heroes: Very effective due to their bonus damage and the Fenris Wolf's low health.
- Strategy: Use a concentrated force of ranged units or a large infantry blob to quickly eliminate these fast-moving MUs.

Atlantean Myth Units

Promethean:
- Weakness: Explodes on death, damaging nearby units. Vulnerable to ranged attacks.
- Counters:
  - Archers (e.g., Turma, Arcus): Keep them at range to avoid the death explosion.
  - Siege Weapons: Can deal damage from a safe distance.
  - Heroes: Effective, but ensure they are not too close when the Promethean dies.
- Strategy: Engage with ranged units and spread out your melee units if they must engage to minimize splash damage from the explosion.
Automaton:
- Weakness: Slow, high hack armor but low pierce armor. Can be repaired by enemy villagers.
- Counters:
  - Archers (e.g., Arcus): Deal pierce damage, which Automatons are weak against.
  - Siege Weapons (e.g., Gastraphetes): Excellent for their pierce damage.
  - Heroes: Crucial for their bonus damage.
- Strategy: Focus fire with ranged units and heroes. If possible, eliminate enemy villagers attempting repairs.
Behemoth:
- Weakness: Very slow, high hack armor but low pierce armor.
- Counters:
  - Archers (e.g., Arcus): Deal significant pierce damage.
  - Siege Weapons (e.g., Gastraphetes, Catapult): Their pierce and hack damage are highly effective.
  - Heroes: Essential for their bonus damage.
- Strategy: Prioritize ranged units and siege weapons. Behemoths are a major threat to buildings, so focus them down quickly.

By understanding these specific counters and employing sound tactical decisions, you can effectively neutralize the threat posed by enemy Myth Units and turn the tide of battle in your favor.