The Last Chieftains introduces three new civilizations: Mapuche, Muisca, and Tupi. Masters of adaptation to the terrain and continuously changing circumstances, the new civilizations will offer Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition players the game’s core unit roster along with several unique and region-specific options representing emblematic features of each civilization.
From ranged cavalryman whose projectiles slow down enemy units to ranged archers that trains in pairs, veterans and newcomers alike will find the new units interesting and approachable, with plenty of flavor for historical enthusiasts!
The Last Chieftains is available for pre-order now and will officially launch on Febuary 17th!
The Last Chieftainsis available for pre-order now on Steam, Microsoft Store, or Xbox with 15% off for a limited time!
*The Last Chieftains will be available for purchase on PlayStation 5 at launch day, February 17th.
Kona
Kona
A Mapuche raid on a Spanish settlement
The Kona is a powerful cavalry unit available to the Mapuche at the Castle.
The Mapuche quickly adapted cavalry tactics from the Spanish invaders, utilizing their elite, strong-willed young warriors to master horse riding and turn the tide in favor of the natives. They acquired their initial mounts through spoils of war and theft, but eventually began breeding their own horses. Armed with long lances and clubs of wood or stone, these Konas frequently carried out malón raids. These deadly surprise attacks, in which the Mapuche would attack and loot Spanish camps and settlements on horseback, aimed to obtain horses, cattle, provisions, and captives. This strategy instilled fear in the Spanish, making the Mapuche resistance extremely effective.
In-game, the Konas mirror this ruthlessness: they are a fast-moving cavalry unit that deals increasing damage to injured targets and counters gunpowder units effectively. However, because they lack cavalry armor upgrades, their role is focused on raiding and map control, making them vulnerable to heavily armored melee units.
Bolas Rider
Bolas Rider
Bolas Riders fighting Spanish Light Cavalry
The Bolas Rider is a swift Mapuche warrior that hurls a bolas from horseback, available at the Archery Range starting in the Castle Age.
The bolas, typically used for hunting, is a simple throwing weapon consisting of three weights connected by a rope. Thrown with force, this weapon can entangle a target’s legs, making them immobile and easy prey. The Mapuche quickly combined this established hunting tool with their new equestrian skills. With little armor and fast movement, they gained a great advantage in ambushing enemies and striking quickly. Because the weapon was cheap to craft and easy to carry, many Mapuche used it effectively, earning the fear of whoever they encountered.
In the game, the Bolas Rider is a mobile raiding unit. Its short-ranged bolas attack deals extra damage to mounted units. Furthermore, they can hurl a stronger bolas shot that temporarily slows their targets, cementing their role in hit-and-run tactics.
Guecha Warrior
Guecha Warrior
Muisca warriors defending their stronghold
The Guecha Warrior is a short-ranged skirmisher available at the Castle for the Muisca.
Known for their toughness and combat skills, Guecha Warriors held a powerful, elite status within Muisca society. They enjoyed great esteem, wearing their hair very short and earning the right to wear jewelry made of gold, emeralds, and feathers. Because they were the civilization’s premier warriors among a populace of farmers and traders, these men were equipped with thick cotton armor, long shields, and various weapons like javelins, spears, or maces.
These warriors relied on powerful knowledge of herbalism and strong religious practices when facing enemies, whether invaders or local rivals. Furthermore, the Muisca honored their dead, leading Guecha Warriors to frequently carry mummified ancestors into battle for inspiration or to intimidate foes.
In the game, the Guecha Warrior functions as a mobile skirmisher boasting high pierce armor. Their short-ranged javelins deal high damage overall and are particularly strong against ranged soldiers. Reflecting their beliefs, Guecha Warriors regenerate health whenever a nearby Guecha Warrior falls in battle. They stand as some of the Muisca’s most durable and strongest units, though they come at a premium cost.
Temple Guard
Temple Guard
Muisca guards defending their Monastery
The Temple Guard is a powerful shock infantry unit available to the Muisca at the Barracks and Monastery.
These humble guardians of the Muisca’s many holy sites did not share the high status of the Guecha Warriors. They kept their temples secure using pole weapons, which resembled a long war pick or a thin hammer made of tumbaga, an alloy of gold and copper.
Temple Guards wore cotton clothing like the Guecha Warriors, but for ceremonies they added ornaments like animal furs, gold, and emeralds. Religious art pieces, such as face masks or delicate animal statues crafted from clay, copper, or gold, were central to Muisca worship.
In the game, Temple Guards channel their fervor and herbal training to increase their attack speed the longer they remain in combat. Because they are trained at both the Barracks and the Monastery, these units give the Muisca flexibility when defending against intruders.
Blackwood Archer
Blackwood Archer
Tupi archers ambushing a French transport
The Blackwood Archer is a unique unit for the Tupi, trained in pairs and costing only half of a population space. They are available at the Castle.
Living in the dense Brazilian rainforests, the Tupi warriors were renowned for their strength in numbers and exceptional archery, relying on their unique skills and deep knowledge of the environment. Dressed in colorful feather dresses, they were famed for using large bows made of black wood, which allowed them to shoot deadly poison arrows with high frequency. European sources highlight Tupi warfare as one of exceptional bravery and short distance archery, establishing Tupi archers as formidable forces in the New World.
In-game, Blackwood Archers are the definition of quantity over quality. Though their individual attack damage is low, their attack speed is high. Once upgraded with the unique tech Curare, which enables them to deal poison damage, their massive numbers become devastating, allowing the Tupi to overwhelm foes with a dense hail of arrows.
Ibirapema Warrior
Ibirepema Warrior
Tupi warriors fighting on the beaches
The Ibirapema Warrior is a strong infantry unit available to the Tupi at the Barracks.
In dense rainforests where archery wasn’t practical, or when close combat was inevitable, the Tupi utilized a unique club made of sturdy black or red wood. This colorful, feather-decorated ibirapema club was carried by frontline warriors and used with brutal efficiency. Due to its weight and ease of use, it was also employed in rituals and religious sacrifice, ceremonies that inspired warriors to be even more effective in battle. Elite warriors, clothed in imposing feather dresses and brave enough to fight up close, would swing these deadly weapons, which were sometimes believed to be able to fell a man in one swing.
Unlike the Tupi’s other units, Ibirapema Warriors serve as an exceptionally durable frontline unit. Their two-handed sweeping attacks deal equal damage to all targets in front of them, making them highly effective against dense formations of melee units.
Champi Warrior
Champi Warrior
Champi Scouts defending their Settlement
The Champi Warrior, available from the Dark Age, is the starting scout for the Inca and all civilizations in The Last Chieftains.
The champi mace, typically featuring a round or star-shaped head made of stone, copper, tumbaga, or even pure gold, was a popular close combat weapon. It delivered heavy damage but remained small enough to not slow the bearer down. These warriors were swift, inflicting heavy damage during raids and serving reliably on the frontline. Protected by armor and shields made of cotton or llama wool, they were resistant to ranged attacks from common bows or rock slings, making them a versatile and formidable warrior.
Champi Warriors, trained at the Barracks, form the backbone of the South American armies. They are best used against ranged soldiers or for raiding thanks to their high speed, strong pierce armor, and solid attack. While they struggle more than Militia-line units against heavy cavalry, their fantastic mobility, scouting ability, and capacity to build Outposts for additional vision give them a unique strategic advantage.
War Dogs (Campaign-Exclusive Unit)
War Dogs
Spanish using War Dogs to protect their camp
In The Last Chieftains campaigns, War Dogs serve as ferocious animals used by the Europeans against you.
Bred specifically for warfare, these hounds were deployed with deadly effect by European forces conquering the Americas. To boost their combat effectiveness, they were outfitted with padded coats and spiked collars. Packs of these beasts quickly became a true terror for the native populations. Some of these dogs, such as Becerrillo (meaning ‘Little Bull’), gained a legendary reputation. In one legend, the dog proved more compassionate than the Conquistadors he served when he refused to kill an innocent woman. The Conquistadors, not wanting their Christian reputation to be outshone by the dog’s compassion and forgiveness, were so humiliated that they left the place.
Trained by your enemies at the Barracks, these units excel against ranged and wounded warriors. You must find a swift way to neutralize them, as your enemies will strategically deploy them as a clean-up force to quickly eliminate your struggling troops during the thick of battle.
The Last Chieftainsis available for pre-order now on Steam, Microsoft Store, or Xbox with 15% off for a limited time!
