"Age of Empires Mobile Introduces Mercenary Troops System"

Ever dreamed of witnessing Joan of Arc leading Roman Centurions into battle, or Hannibal Barca commanding Japanese Samurai to sack Rome? With the latest update to Age of Empires Mobile, your wildest historical mash-ups can become a reality thanks to the new Mercenary Troops system.

Starting at level 26, players will unlock the Mercenary Camp, a new structure that lets you hire and recruit powerful units typically exclusive to other factions. Not only can you contract these unique warriors, but you'll also have the opportunity to unlock and upgrade tech that will enhance their already impressive battlefield prowess. Plus, you can snag your first mercenaries for free through a special event that's currently underway.

The Mercenary Troops system introduces a diverse lineup of units including Byzantine Cataphracts, Swiss Pikemen, Persian Immortals, Indian Battle Elephants, Roman Centurions, Egyptian Chariot Archers, Japanese Samurai, and Korean Archers. Each of these units comes with its own tech upgrades to further boost their effectiveness in combat.

The introduction of this system evokes memories of the Total War series, where hiring mercenaries was a key strategy. While some might see this as a potential disruptor to game balance, it's an exciting addition that could bring a fresh dynamic to the gameplay. As players get their hands on the Mercenary Troops system, we'll see how it plays out. Who knows? Maybe we'll even see custom units like the historical Landsknechts offered down the line.

For those looking to get started, our guides on Age of Empires Mobile can help you identify the best heroes to unlock. Check out our tier list of all Age of Empires Mobile heroes, ranked by power, to find out who's worth your time and resources.