Age of Empires II: The Conquerors

Lore & Background

The Conquerors introduced new gameplay features including the modes Defend the Wonder, King of the Hill, and Wonder Race. Infantry can now garrison in battering rams, increasing the ram's speed and attack, while ships use formations. Villagers automatically gather resources after completing a resource-gathering site, and wall construction improves as villagers spread out. Farms can be paid for in advance to auto-replant. The Aztecs and Mayans lack cavalry and gunpowder units but start with Eagle Warriors. The Huns do not build houses, limited only by the population cap.

Reader's Guide

The expansion's four campaigns cover Attila the Hun's rise and raids across Europe, El Cid's adventures in Spain, Montezuma's defense against Hernán Cortés, and the Battles of the Conquerors—a set of unrelated historical scenarios including Tours, Hastings, Agincourt, and Lepanto. A hidden scenario, the Saxon Revolt, depicts Charlemagne's war against the Saxon duke Widukind. The Attila campaign follows his leadership after Bleda's death, his raids on Roman cities, and his meeting with Pope Leo I. The El Cid campaign traces Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar from trial by combat to his death at Valencia. The Montezuma campaign shows Aztec responses to prophecies, the Triple Alliance, and eventual conflict with Spanish forces. The Battles of the Conquerors include eight scenarios such as the Battle of Tours and the Battle of Noryang.

Did You Know?

• The Aztecs and Mayans cannot train cavalry or gunpowder units but start with Eagle Warriors.
• The Huns do not build houses, being limited only by the population cap.
• A hidden scenario, the Saxon Revolt, covers the Battle of Süntel and the Massacre of Verden in 782.
• The Montezuma campaign's Battle of Otumba was actually a Spanish victory in real life.