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"Scout whose line of sight grows when immobile. Cannot attack. Generates Favor."
In-game description
The Oracle is the Atlantean designated scout unit. It is available from the Archaic Age at the Temple. The player starts with one, and while not trainable at the Town Center, two more Oracles spawn from it at the 10 and 20 second mark of the game. Oracles do not appear as idle military or idle economic units, as even when they are idle, they generate favor.
Ability
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| File:Shared-abl-auto-scout.png | Auto Scout | Enables the unit to automatically explore the map |
Technologies
General Technologies
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| File:Shared-t-copper-weapons.png | Copper Weapons | +10% damage |
| File:Shared-t-bronze-weapons.png | Bronze Weapons | +10% damage |
| File:Shared-t-iron-weapons.png | Iron Weapons | +10% damage |
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| File:Shared-t-copper-armor.png | Copper Armor | -15% Hack Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-bronze-armor.png | Bronze Armor | -15% Hack Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-iron-armor.png | Iron Armor | -15% Hack Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-copper-shields.png | Copper Shields | -15% Pierce Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-bronze-shields.png | Bronze Shields | -15% Pierce Vulnerability |
| File:Shared-t-iron-shields.png | Iron Shields | -15% Pierce Vulnerability |
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| File:Grk-t-levy-infantry.png | Levy Infantry | -20% training time |
| File:Grk-t-conscript-infantry.png | Conscript Infantry | -20% training time |
Myth Technologies
| Image | Name | God | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Grk-t-phobos-spear-of-panic.png | Phobos' Spear of Panic | Ares | +1 divine damage |
| File:Grk-t-sarissa.png | Sarissa | Athena | +10% hack damage, +1 attack range |
| File:Grk-t-aegis-shield.png | Aegis Shield | Athena | -15% pierce vulnerability |
| File:Grk-t-oracle.png | Oracle | Apollo | +4 Line of Sight |
| File:Grk-t-dionysia.png | Dionysia | Dionysus | +5% hit points |
Upgrades
| Age | Upgrade | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Infobox-age2.png Classical Age | File:Shared-t-medium-infantry.png Medium Infantry | File:Infobox-food.png 150, File:Infobox-gold.png 150, File:Infobox-time.png 20 seconds | Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +10% hit points, +10% damage, +1 Line of Sight |
| File:Infobox-age3.png Heroic Age | File:Shared-t-heavy-infantry.png Heavy Infantry | File:Infobox-food.png 300, File:Infobox-gold.png 300, File:Infobox-time.png 30 seconds | Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +15% hit points, +20% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Medium Infantry |
| File:Infobox-age4.png Mythic Age | File:Shared-t-champion-infantry.png Champion Infantry | File:Infobox-food.png 500, File:Infobox-gold.png 400, File:Infobox-time.png 40 seconds | Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +20% hit points, +30% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Heavy Infantry |
Relic Bonuses
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 |
Armor of Achilles | -5% hack vulnerability |
 |
Canopic Jar of Imsety | +25% training speed |
 |
Gaia's Book of Knowledge | +3.0 attack multiplier vs. Titans |
 |
Pelt of Argus | +6 Line of Sight |
 |
Thundercloud Shawl | -5% pierce vulnerability |
 |
Gungnir, Odin's Spear | +5% attack |
Gameplay
While moving, the Oracle's Line of Sight is tiny, barely showing where he's walking. After he has been standing still for a while, the line of sight grows out to its maximum range, equal to that of a tower. The Oracle's Line of Sight increases at 0.46 meters per second while he is idle.
Oracles are not as practical as other scouts as they require to stand still for a noticeable period of time to get more knowledge of their surroundings. This leaves them vulnerable to attacks which will interrupt the increase of their Line of Sight, as even a slight movement resets the Line of Sight. Their minimal base Line of Sight also can cause them to walk within range of threats such as enemy towers and Town Centers. It is advised to use the initial three free Oracles to scout the area surrounding their base to find resources and settlements. Afterwards, Oracles can be used in suicide missions to find enemy towns. If an Oracle is killed, rather than replacing him with another Oracle, it is recommended to use a Turma to continue scouting, as they have superior speed and decent Line of Sight.
Retold tweaks Oracles significantly. Their Line of Sight no longer reverts instantly as they move, instead decaying gradually at roughly the same rate as it grows when they stand still. Additionally, they now serve as their civilizations' favor-generation mechanic, based on how far they see without overlapping with another Oracle. This keeps them relevant throughout the entire game, stationed strategically throughout the player's domain.
Oracle Hero
Like all Atlantean human units, Oracles can be converted to Oracle Heroes at any time, for a resource cost. Oracle Heroes do not appear as idle military or idle heroes, which is a characteristic common to semi-heroes, as even when they are idle, they generate favor. Unlike regular Oracles, Oracle Heroes are capable of combat, although they do not actively target visible enemies.
Technologies
General Technologies
Myth Technologies
God Bonuses
Relic Bonuses
Gameplay
Turning the Oracle into a Hero makes his line of sight increase faster (0.92 meters per second) and doubles the distance. He also gains a small, almost useless hack damage attack. He will still lose to combat units and will still lose to most myth units as well, though he will be able to inflict some damage before dying. However upgrading to Hero has several other benefits. It doubles their maximum Line of Sight, and they can pick up any Relics they find.
History
"Ancient Atlanteans relied heavily on the Priest class for leadership and guidance. Oracles were priests who through a form of deep meditation could see beyond what normal sight would allow. Oracles were scouts and lookouts for Atlantean armies. It is debatable whether their great sight was granted by the Titans or the product of a deep attunement with their environment."
In-game compendium
Gallery
Trivia
- The Oracle's help text seems to imply they use a form of Remote Viewing, which is an 'extrasensory perception' practice used to apparently seek impressions of a target, or target area. Much like Atlantis itself, Remote Viewing is regarded as pseudoscience.
- There is a theory that the hero Oracle was originally intended to be a campaign hero rather than a hero for the Atlanteans, perhaps even both (similar to Chiron, Ajax, and Odysseus). In some scenarios, the player initially plays an Oracle that often runs along with the heroes. In the campaign The New Atlantis, the player does not play a campaign hero in the fifth scenario, but instead plays an Oracle at the beginning. Furthermore, the Oracle has an animation of how it is revived, but it is not used.
- In Retold, the Oracle Hero still has an animation for unknown reasons. The animation is also not used.
Video
Units
