The battlegrounds of myth and legend are being redrawn. With the glorious arrival of Age of Mythology: Retold, both veteran strategists and new commanders are eager to unleash the full power of the gods. The heart of this power lies in its diverse and awe-inspiring roster of units. From humble human soldiers to colossal, world-shattering beasts, knowing how to access every unit is the first and most crucial step toward divine victory. This guide is your definitive codex, your strategic scroll, to unlocking every single unit in the game.
Unlike other strategy games where a tech tree is a simple, linear path, Age of Mythology intertwines unit access with your divine allegiance. The core of unlocking units isn’t just about building a specific structure; it’s about the strategic choices you make from the very first moments of a match. Your selection of a Major God and your subsequent worship of Minor Gods as you advance through the ages dictates the entire composition of your army.
The Divine Blueprint: How Unit Access Works
At its core, the system is beautifully elegant. Your journey to a powerful late-game army is marked by four distinct ages. Each new age unlocks new buildings, technologies, and, most importantly, more powerful units.
Your choice of a Major God at the start of the game (e.g., Zeus for the Greeks, Ra for the Egyptians) provides unique civilization-wide bonuses and sometimes a special unit or hero. However, the true diversity comes from the Minor Gods you choose to worship as you advance. Each Minor God offers a different Myth Unit and a unique set of divine improvements. A wise commander thinks several ages ahead, planning which Minor Gods will best synergize to counter their opponent.
Unlocking the Greek Pantheon’s Armies
The Greeks are a well-rounded and powerful civilization, boasting some of the most iconic human and mythical units in the game. Their favor is generated by having villagers pray at a temple, making it a conscious economic decision.
Major Gods: Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon
Your choice of a major Greek god provides a powerful starting advantage. Zeus buffs your infantry and grants you the legendary hero Jason, while his favor generation is faster. Hades strengthens your archers and buildings, and his slain soldiers have a chance to rise again as Shades. Poseidon boosts your cavalry, provides a free Hippocampus scout at the start of the game, and allows you to build stables cheaper.
Minor Gods & Their Mythical Beasts
The true might of the Greeks is unlocked through their minor deities. In the Classical Age, choosing Athena grants you the powerful Minotaur, while Ares offers the destructive Cyclops, and Hermes provides the swift Centaur. Each choice fundamentally alters your early-game military strategy.
As you advance to the Heroic Age, your options expand further. Worship Apollo to unlock the Manticore, a fearsome ranged beast. Follow Dionysus to summon the Hydra, which grows more heads as it battles, or Aphrodite to call upon the Nemean Lion. Your choices will depend on whether you need anti-infantry, siege, or a durable front-line monster.
In the Mythic Age, the ultimate powers are revealed. Hera allows you to summon the Medusa, capable of turning units to stone. Hephaestus grants you the colossal Colossus, a walking siege engine of bronze. Finally, Artemis lets you call forth the Chimera, a multi-headed terror. Planning your god path is essential to fielding a synergistic and unstoppable Greek force.
Summoning the Might of the Egyptians
The Egyptians focus on a strong economy and powerful, cost-effective units led by their Pharaoh. Their favor is generated by building monuments, a passive but resource-intensive method.
Major Gods: Ra, Isis, and Set
The Egyptian Major Gods offer profound economic and military advantages. Ra empowers your Pharaoh and Chariots, and his monuments are cheaper. Isis provides economic bonuses, makes technologies cheaper, and can protect against enemy god powers. Set allows his Pharaoh to summon animals, and his slingers and chariots train faster, enabling aggressive early-game strategies.
Minor Gods & Their Divine Creatures
Egyptian myth units are as varied as the sands of the desert. In the Classical Age, pledging allegiance to Anubis unlocks the Anubite, a fast-moving infantry unit with a jump attack. Worshipping Bast gives you the Sphinx, a powerful being that grows stronger in the sands of time. Ptah provides the Wadjet, a serpentine scout that can be used for early harassment.
In the Heroic Age, the Egyptian army gains powerful support units. Choose Nephthys to summon the Scorpion Man, a deadly anti-myth unit. Follow Hathor to bring forth the Petsuchos, a crocodile with a powerful sunbeam attack, or Sekhmet for the giant Scarab, a living siege engine.
The Mythic Age is where the Egyptians truly shine. Osiris allows you to summon the Mummy, which can raise an army of the dead from fallen soldiers. Horus grants you the mighty Avenger, a whirling warrior of immense power. And Thoth provides the legendary Phoenix, an aerial unit that can be reborn from its own ashes.
Commanding the Ferocious Norse Clans
The Norse are an aggressive, rush-oriented civilization. Their human units are trained from individual buildings, and favor is earned through combat and hunting, rewarding a proactive playstyle.
Major Gods: Odin, Thor, and Loki
The Norse gods demand aggression. Odin grants his regenerating Hersir (heroes) more health and provides two Ravens for scouting. Thor offers a special armory for cheaper upgrades and provides Dwarven gold miners. Loki‘s Hersir summon random myth units in combat, making him an unpredictable and formidable foe.
Minor Gods & The Legends of the North
Norse myth units are brutal and effective. In the Classical Age, Freyja provides the iconic Valkyrie, a powerful healer and warrior. Heimdall unlocks the Einherjar, a slow but powerful unit that buffs your economy upon death. Forseti gives you the Troll, a ranged unit that regenerates health.
The Heroic Age brings the giants. Worshipping Njord unlocks the fearsome Mountain Giant, a massive melee unit excellent at destroying buildings. Bragi gives you the Battle Boar, a fast and tough beast that can disrupt enemy formations. Tyr summons the Fenris Wolf Brood, which becomes more powerful in larger numbers.
In the Mythic Age, the full fury of the Norse is unleashed. Baldr gives you the Fire Giant, a devastating ranged unit that deals area-of-effect damage. Hel allows you to call upon the Frost, Mountain, and Fire Giants from the same temple. Finally, Jormund unlocks the Jormund Elver, a powerful sea myth unit, and the fearsome Kraken.
Wielding the Power of the Atlanteans
The Atlanteans are a unique civilization with expensive but highly versatile units. Their villagers are more efficient and require no drop-off sites. Favor is generated passively from Town Centers, and any human unit can be transformed into a powerful hero.
Major Gods: Kronos, Oranos, and Gaia
The Atlantean titans offer unique strategic abilities. Kronos can time-shift buildings, moving them across the map instantly. Oranos provides access to Sky Passages for rapid unit transport. Gaia‘s buildings heal over time and she generates lush terrain that hinders enemy construction.
Minor Gods & Their Titanic Forces
Atlantean myth units are often automatons and primordial beings. In the Classical Age, Prometheus unlocks the Promethean, which splits into smaller versions upon death. Leto provides the Automaton, a self-repairing metallic warrior. Oceanus grants access to the Caladria for healing on land and the Nereid for naval combat.
In the Heroic Age, Atlantean power grows significantly. Choose Hyperion to summon the Satyr, a ranged unit that can throw multiple spears, or Rheia to get the Behemoth, a living siege engine with immense health. Theia grants you the Stymphalian Bird, a deadly aerial unit that attacks in flocks.
The Mythic Age unlocks their most potent forces. Helios allows you to build the Man O’ War, a powerful naval myth unit. Hekate summons the Lampades, terrifying beings whose chaotic gaze can turn enemy units against each other. Finally, Atlas gives you the Argus, a multi-eyed creature that can instantly kill units with its acid stare.
New Frontiers: The Chinese Pantheon in Retold
A thrilling addition in Age of Mythology: Retold is the brand new Chinese Pantheon. While details are still emerging, we know they will bring a completely fresh roster of units and a new way to wage war. Expect to see legendary figures like Fu Xi, Nü Wa, and Shennong as Major Gods, each offering unique gameplay mechanics. The myth units will draw from China’s rich history and mythology, with possibilities like the mighty Chinese Dragon, disciplined Terracotta Warriors, and the graceful Qilin. Unlocking their full roster will be a journey of discovery for all players.
Beyond the Gods: Special and Campaign Units
Beyond the standard multiplayer roster, some units are only accessible through specific means. The single-player campaigns will feature unique hero units and special scenario-specific soldiers not available elsewhere. Furthermore, powerful God Powers can summon temporary units to the battlefield, like a swarm of locusts or a mighty son of Osiris. The ultimate special unit is the Titan, unlocked by building and defending a Titan Gate in the Mythic Age. These civilization-specific behemoths can single-handedly win a game if left unchecked.
The Fun Route: Using Cheat Codes for Instant Access
- O CANADA: Summons a Lazer Bear.
- WUV WOO: Spawns a Flying Purple Hippo.
- TINES OF POWER: Grants a Forkboy.
- I WANT THE MONKEYS!!!!!: Unleashes a barrel of monkeys.
These units are not part of any god’s roster and are purely for entertainment, but they are a beloved part of the game’s legacy that allows you to ‘unlock’ some truly unique forces.
Master Your Pantheon, Master the Battlefield
Unlocking all units in Age of Mythology: Retold is not a simple checklist; it is the art of strategy itself. Your path through the ages, guided by your choice of gods, is a dynamic and reactive process. The key takeaway is that every choice matters. The Minor God you select in the Classical Age will define your army’s composition for the rest of the game. The true master of AoM: Retold will not just know what each unit does, but will understand the intricate web of choices required to bring them to the battlefield at the perfect moment. So go forth, experiment with the divine paths, and command the full, glorious might of the gods.
