Mercenary

"Infantry. Only good against other infantry."
In-game description

The Mercenary is an Egyptian infantry unit in Age of Mythology, trained at the Town Center. The Mercenary can be trained incredibly quickly but only lasts for a short while, as it loses hit points over time.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strong vs.
Hippeus • Prodromos • Spearman • Jarl • War Elephant • Berserk • Camel Rider • Huskarl • Hersir • Raiding Cavalry

Weak vs.
Toxotes • Hypaspist • Cheiroballista • Chariot Archer • Throwing Axeman • Axeman

Technologies

General Technologies

Offense
Image	Name	Description
	Copper Weapons	+10% damage
	Bronze Weapons	+10% damage
	Iron Weapons	+10% damage

Defense
Image	Name	Description
	Copper Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
	Bronze Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
	Iron Armor	-15% Hack Vulnerability
	Copper Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
	Bronze Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability
	Iron Shields	-15% Pierce Vulnerability

Utility
Image	Name	Description
	Levy Infantry	-20% training time
	Conscript Infantry	-20% training time

Myth Technologies

Name	God	Description
Phobos' Spear of Panic	Ares	+1 divine damage
Sarissa	Athena	+10% hack damage, +1 attack range
Aegis Shield	Athena	-15% pierce vulnerability
Oracle	Apollo	+4 Line of Sight
Dionysia	Dionysus	+5% hit points

Upgrades

Age	Upgrade	Cost	Effect
Classical Age	Medium Infantry	150, 150, 20 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +10% hit points, +10% damage, +1 Line of Sight
Heroic Age	Heavy Infantry	300, 300, 30 seconds	Upgrades Hoplites to Medium: +15% hit points, +20% damage, +1 Line of Sight); requires Medium Infantry
Mythic Age	Champion Infantry	500, 400, 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

Mercenaries are trained almost instantly and do not take up any population slots. Hence they are useful when a player needs to respond to a sudden attack near one of their Town Centers. Mercenaries are especially good against Cavalry, but are fair against all human units. Caution is needed when using Mercenaries, as they cost a lot of Gold and die after 40 seconds.

The Medjay improvement gives Mercenaries a longer lifespan allowing them to be used offensively. Enemy units will be quickly knocked off by these units, and after they die, players can finish off the survivors with their regular forces.

History

"As an Egyptian, you may employ Mercenaries at any of your Town Centers. Mercenaries train very quickly, cost only gold and are good at countering Cavalry. They are primarily used for town defense because their services can only be bought for a short time, rarely long enough to make the trek into an enemy town."
In-game compendium

Gallery

Trivia

Judging by their skin color and affiliation with the Egyptians, the Mercenaries are likely of Nubian origin.