Greetings, fellow Age fans! It’s been a while since we last spoke, but I am back with a special bit of knowledge and surprise for you all in remembrance of Women’s History Month. Today I’d like to share with you some information on the history of mounted archery and about the inspiration behind our mounted archer.

You may be familiar with mounted archers from our Age of Empires II: Dynasties of India and Qutlugh Nigar Khanum, one of our in-game female mounted archers. Although not well known, this princess and warrior was still an important part of history and served as an inspiration for our female mounted archer unit. 

Mounted archers were key players in military warfare across the world. From the Mongol Empire, ancient India, all the way to North America, mounted archers on horses were a force to be reckoned with. Contrary to popular belief, many armies employed both male and female archers, and began their training during their early childhood to achieve the level of skills needed to become a part of these military units. Each archer had a plethora of options for their bows, but composite bows were often the preferred type. This is because they were made of different materials such as bamboo and sinew which made them more flexible and quicker to fire.

To be a mounted archer, each warrior needed to have not only outstanding targeting expertise but also impeccable equestrian skills. The latter was as necessary as their shooting abilities, therefore special saddles with high backs were also essential to a mounted warrior’s success. They needed a saddle that could stabilize them while they swiftly moved their body, mainly their torso, to shoot their targets. In addition, mounted archers had different types or horses that they could ride into battle depending on their chosen strategy, heavy or light. Heavy horses were often used in tighter and neater formations, while the lighter horses were able to move swiftly through formations. Occasionally, mounted archers also traveled in fast moving carriages as well.

It is important to note that while incredibly effective, these military units were most effective in battles where there was broad open space for the horses and carriages to move. Without this space, archers were more vulnerable to attack as they were a larger target compared to foot or longbow soldiers. In addition to being effective in battle, mounter archers could use their skills to hunt, protect their herds, and more. 

Qutlugh: Princess & Mounted Archer

Qutlugh Nigar Khanum, also known as Kutlak Nigar Khanum, was princess of Moghulistan and daughter of Yunus Khan, king of Moghulistan. She married Umar Shaikh Mirza II, who ruled the Ferghana Valley, therefore, serving as his chief consort, and gave birth to the future emperor and founder of the Mughal empire, Babur. As her son began to take on military and political challenges, Qutlugh gave him her support throughout his journey.

Qutlugh followed her son in raids and battles and is said to have served as a mounted archer for his army which was comprised of many cavalry units. Although she witnessed her son taking over Kabul, she unfortunately died before she could see him take the throne as Mughal emperor. Some believe Qutlugh Nigar Khamun’s support in Babur’s military efforts was influential to his success and the rise of the empire of India. 

For Women’s History Month, we’re giving away some of the most iconic Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition mods and rewards in celebration of women! Log in before the end of March to grab these rewards for yourself! 

Thank you all for joining me today and I can’t wait for our next adventure! Time to flip the page. 

Sage

Hosted by Age of Queens, the Queens’ Charity Clash continues with its final weekend of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition events: a Free-For-All, five back-to-back 1v1s, and for the grand finale: two sets of 1v1 featuring High Elo female players!

Read more about the month-long Women’s History Month fundraising event here: Announcing the Queens’ Charity Clash. Throughout the month women will be representing two charities: Girls Who Code and the Games and Online Harassment Hotline.

This is the FINAL weekend of Queens’ Charity Clash, and World’s Edge has a challenge to throw your way! World’s Edge will be matching all donations raised during the event up to $5,000! Age of Queens has raised $1,840 for these two charities so far, and you can tune in this weekend to help them reach their goal!

How to Donate

Click here to donate! Donations will be collected by Age of Queens throughout the month of March, and World’s Edge will be matching contributions up to $5,000! All contributions to the Age of Queens channel/PayPal during March will be distributed to the two charities. The total amount donated will be updated on the Age of Empires Women’s History Month Hub!

Current Standings & Point Totals

After the first 3 showmatches the point totals are:

Girls Who Code: 5 Points

Games and Online Harassment Hotline: 9 Points

March 25th, 14 GMT: Free-For-All

The fourth of six showmatches is a brutal Regicide Free-For-All on the map Golden Pit! 8 players will battle it out, but only one will emerge victorious! Each player has a chance to ban one civilization from the game, and all players may freely choose from the civilizations that remain. The winner of the Free-For-All gets to choose which charity to add their point to.

March 25th: Participating Players & Streamers

Players:

• Gabi | Twitch
• Elhyar | Twitch
• KaneteTV | Twitch
• BlackBaby
• Anthocyanina
• Yosumi
• EspressoCat
• Gaelyn

Casters & Commentators:

• The Otter AoE | Twitch
• Brix_Aoe | Twitch (German)
  

March 26th, 14 GMT: 1v1s (5 Different Matches)

In this event, there will be five different 1v1 matchups. Two teams of five players each put forth their most confident player for each game within the varied pool of maps! Civilizations are hidden pick with no repeats, allowing teams to strategize and play to their strengths in terms of both maps and civilizations. Games will be played on the following maps:

• Acropolis
• Arena
• Golden Pit
• MegaRandom
• Nomad

March 26th: Participating Players & Streamers

Players representing Girls Who Code:

• Oceaningabyss | Twitch

• Akroma | Twitch
• Elhyar | Twitch
• CharChar

Players representing Games & Online Harassment Hotline:

• LilTrouble | Twitch
• KaneteTV | Twitch
• BlackBaby
• Daehiise
• Stealth_R_Us

Casters & Commentators:

• Maggy205 | Twitch
• Nodscouter | Twitch
• ClemoL | Twitch (French)

March 27th, 14 GMT: High Elo 1v1s

The grand finale of the Queens’ Charity Clash features two sets between some of the strongest women in the Age of Queens community. Watch rising players Nodscouter and Ottila battle it out first in a 1v1 Best of 5 at 14 GMT. Afterward Mica will challenge Gabi, the highest rated woman in the AoQ ladder. Players will draft their civilizations and battle it out on the following maps:

• Runestones
• Arena
• Nomad
• Four Lakes
• Haboob

March 27th: Participating Players & Streamers:

Players representing Girls Who Code:

• Gabi | Twitch

• Nodscouter | Twitch

Player representing Games & Online Harassment Hotline:

• Mica
• Ottilia

Casters & Commentators:

• ArtemizPlayz | Twitch
• TinyTriss | Twitch
• Maggy205 | Twitch

Learn More About Queens’ Charity Clash

More information about the event is available on the public Age of Queens and Friends server (open to anyone to join.)

To celebrate Women’s History Month, and back by popular demand – the Women of History Event is here! This month we’re shining the spotlight on the trailblazing women of history with a repeat of this special event, which includes several profile icons, mods, and more. Join us and don’t miss out on this amazing event this year!

• Unlock a Cheat code!
• Unlock the Queen Visual Replacement for the King!
• Unlock the Princess Yodit Visual Replacement for your Gbeto!

Event Rewards!

Each of the following challenges must be unlocked in order and on separate days:

Keep It All (Forever)!

Remember: if you sign in to Xbox Live during the event, you’ll get to keep all of the mods and profile icons you’ve achieved! Sign in, earn your rewards, and enjoy!

We hope you enjoy this month’s Women of History Event!

—The Age of Empires Team

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Hosted by Age of Queens, the Queens’ Charity Clash continues with its second round of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition events: a 3v3 Deathmatch showmatch and a 2v2 showmatch featuring women from the Age II community. Read more about the month-long Women’s History Month fundraising event here: Announcing the Queens’ Charity Clash. Throughout the month women will be representing two charities: Girls Who Code and the Games and Online Harassment Hotline. All donations to Age of Queens during March will go toward these two charities.

Players will represent one of these charities and compete to score points in a variety of showmatch settings throughout the month. Throughout the events, donations will be collected into one giant fund. At the end, funds will be split between the two charities based on the outcome of the match. For example, if those playing for Girls Who Code win 60% of the games, then Girls Who Code will get 60% of all the donations collected.

March 19th, 14 GMT: 3v3 Deathmatch Showmatch

The second showmatch will consist of five games played in a fast-paced 3v3 Deathmatch setting! Teams will have a mix of experienced and newer Deathmatch players. Civilizations will be chosen from 3 tiers, without repeat. Players will be playing all 5 games with hidden civilizations on the following maps:

• Runestones
• Ghost Lake
• Lombardia
• Gold Rush
• Golden Swamp

For each win the teams earn, one point will be added to their dedicated charity’s tally. At the end of the month and the Queens’ Charity Clash, the total funds raised will be split among the two charities based on the final point score.

March 19th: Participating Players & Streamers

Players Representing Girls Who Code:

• Gabi Twitch
• MagnoliaAoE Twitch
• Gaelyn

Players Representing Games and Online Harassment Hotline:

• ashleylynn Twitch
• Medusa
• Anthocyanina

Casters & Commentators:

• Brix_aoe Twitch
• LilTrouble__ Twitch (recorded games)
• Nodscouter Twitch

You can also check out the Age of Queens Twitch team page to see a list of more streamers from the AoQ community!

March 20th, 14 GMT: 2v2 Showmatch

The third showmatch will be a 2v2 showmatch on a variety of maps using a civilization draft! Each team will have a chance to globally ban civilizations until 14 remain; then they will choose their strongest civ duos (repeats allowed) for each map from the 14 remaining civilizations. Players will be playing all 5 games with hidden civilizations on the following maps:

• Arabia
• Ghost Lake
• Scandinavia
• Hill Fort
• Oasis

For each win the teams earn, one point will be added to their dedicated charity’s tally. At the end of the month and the Queens’ Charity Clash, the total funds raised will be split among the two charities based on the final point score.

March 20th, 14 GMT: Participating Players & Streamers

Players Representing Girls Who Code:

• Linh1032 Twitch
• Nodscouter
• Gaelyn

Players Representing Games and Online Harassment Hotline:

• Elhyar Twitch
• Dannimon992
• Joules

Casters & Commentators:

• TinyTriss Twitch
• LilTrouble__ Twitch (recorded games)

You can also check out the Age of Queens Twitch team page to see a list of more streamers from the AoQ community!

Learn More About Queens’ Charity Clash

More information about the event is available on the public Age of Queens and Friends server (open to anyone to join.)

How to Donate

Click here to donate! Donations will be collected by Age of Queens throughout the month of March. All contributions to the Age of Queens channel/PayPal during March will be distributed to the two charities. The total amount donated will be updated after each event on the Age of Empires Women’s History Month Hub!

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is celebrating Women’s History Month with the release of an all new event! For a limited time, you can unlock new portraits, explorer customizations and cheats by completing the community challenges!

New Explorer Customizations!

New Cheat!

Granny Nanny Cheat – “Granny Nanny”

• Turns all villagers into Dahomey Amazons units.

New Rewards!

Now through April 12th, complete daily in-game tasks within the time limit to unlock exclusive rewards!

Each of the following challenges must be unlocked in order and on separate days:

Event F.A.Q.

Keep It All (Forever)!

Remember: if you sign in to Xbox Live during the event, you’ll get to keep all of the mods and profile icons you’ve achieved! Sign in, earn your rewards, and enjoy!

We hope you enjoy The International Women’s Event!

—The Age of Empires Team