Human units are the everyday soldiers of Age of Mythology: Retold. They include infantry who fight on foot, cavalry who charge on horseback, and archers who shoot from a distance. Most armies lean on them, and each civilization brings its own set. They sit alongside heroes and myth units, which are built from legend and tend to be tougher in a fight.
Pantheon
Atlantean
Arcus
Ranged soldier that counters infantry.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 60 Wood, 35 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Fast units, especially cavalry
- Added In
- Base game
Contarius
Cavalry that counters ranged soldiers and siege engines.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 75 Food, 40 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers and siege engines
- Countered By
- Infantry
- Added In
- Base game
Destroyer
Infantry that attacks buildings.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 70 Food, 60 Gold
- Good Against
- Buildings
- Countered By
- Fast units that can outrun it
- Added In
- Base game
Fanatic
Infantry that counters infantry and cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Heroic, Mythic
- Cost
- 75 Food, 55 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry and cavalry
- Countered By
- Anti-infantry units such as Toxotes and Throwing Axemen
- Added In
- Base game
Katapeltes
Infantry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 60 Food, 35 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry
- Countered By
- Non-cavalry units
- Added In
- Base game
Murmillo
Melee infantry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 55 Food, 30 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry and melee units
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers and counter-infantry
- Added In
- Base game
Turma
Mounted ranged soldier that counters ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Ranged cavalry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 45 Wood, 40 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- All other unit types
- Added In
- Base game
Pantheon
Aztec
Coyote Warrior
Fast infantry that counters ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 35 Food, 55 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Heavy units and fortified positions
- Added In
- Obsidian Mirror
Eagle Warrior
Mobile ranged generalist, especially effective against ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 80 Wood, 45 Gold
- Good Against
- Most units, especially ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Cavalry
- Added In
- Obsidian Mirror
Jaguar Rider
General-purpose cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Heroic, Mythic
- Cost
- 60 Food, 90 Gold
- Good Against
- Most units it can reach
- Countered By
- Infantry with anti-cavalry bonuses
- Added In
- Obsidian Mirror
Ocelotl Warrior
Elite infantry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 70 Food, 60 Gold
- Good Against
- Most units it can reach
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Obsidian Mirror
Otontin Smasher
Infantry that attacks buildings.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 120 Wood, 80 Gold
- Good Against
- Buildings
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers and cavalry
- Added In
- Obsidian Mirror
Quimichin Spy
Ranged scout for exploration.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Archaic
- Cost
- 30 Wood, 15 Gold
- Good Against
- No specific counter listed; scout role
- Countered By
- Most combat units
- Added In
- Obsidian Mirror
Shorn One
Elite infantry that counters infantry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 90 Food, 45 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers and cavalry
- Added In
- Obsidian Mirror
Tequihua Archer
Early ranged soldier that counters infantry.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 60 Wood, 20 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Cavalry
- Added In
- Obsidian Mirror
Tlamanih Spearman
Fast infantry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 55 Food, 15 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Obsidian Mirror
Pantheon
Chinese
Chu Ko Nu
Rapid-fire ranged soldier.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 90 Wood, 55 Gold
- Good Against
- Groups of enemy units
- Countered By
- Cavalry
- Added In
- Immortal Pillars
Dao Swordsman
Durable infantry for combined-army fights.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 30 Food, 55 Gold
- Good Against
- Most units
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Immortal Pillars
Fire Archer
Ranged soldier that counters infantry and buildings.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 50 Wood, 35 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry and buildings
- Countered By
- Cavalry
- Added In
- Immortal Pillars
Ge Halberdier
Infantry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 50 Food, 35 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Immortal Pillars
Terracotta Rider
Defensive cavalry summoned on Favored Land.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- -
- Cost
- 50 Food, 50 Gold
- Good Against
- Raiders threatening Chinese towns
- Countered By
- Time away from Favored Land
- Added In
- Immortal Pillars
Tiger Cavalry
Heavy cavalry that fights on after being felled.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Mythic
- Cost
- 115 Food, 50 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry and ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Infantry with anti-cavalry bonuses
- Added In
- Immortal Pillars
White Horse Cavalry
Cavalry with a ranged special attack.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 45 Food, 85 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Infantry with anti-cavalry bonuses
- Added In
- Immortal Pillars
Wuzu Javelineer
Mobile ranged soldier that counters ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 75 Wood, 10 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Cavalry
- Added In
- Immortal Pillars
Pantheon
Egyptian
Axeman
Infantry that counters infantry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 40 Food, 30 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Ranged units
- Added In
- Base game
Camel Rider
Cavalry that counters ranged soldiers and cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 50 Food, 70 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers and cavalry
- Countered By
- Infantry
- Added In
- Base game
Chariot Archer
Mounted ranged soldier that counters infantry.
- Unit Type
- Ranged cavalry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 100 Wood, 40 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Cavalry, buildings, and siege weapons
- Added In
- Base game
Mercenary
Short-lived infantry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Archaic
- Cost
- 90 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Base game
Mercenary Cavalry
Short-lived cavalry that counters ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 120 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Infantry with anti-cavalry bonuses
- Added In
- Base game
Slinger
Ranged soldier that counters ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 55 Wood, 25 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Infantry and cavalry
- Added In
- Base game
Spearman
Infantry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 50 Food, 25 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers and counter-infantry
- Added In
- Base game
War Elephant
Heavy cavalry that attacks buildings.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 180 Food, 70 Gold
- Good Against
- Buildings and human soldiers
- Countered By
- Anti-cavalry units in large groups
- Added In
- Base game
Pantheon
Greek
Amazon Archer
Long-range archer.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Mythic
- Cost
- 85 Food, 75 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry and slow-moving units
- Countered By
- Cavalry and sudden attacks
- Added In
- New Gods Pack: Demeter
Gastraphetoros
Long-range archer that counters infantry and buildings.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Mythic
- Cost
- 100 Wood, 60 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry and buildings
- Countered By
- Cavalry
- Added In
- Base game
Hetairos
Area-damage cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Mythic
- Cost
- 50 Food, 90 Gold
- Good Against
- Most units
- Countered By
- Infantry with anti-cavalry bonuses
- Added In
- Base game
Hippeus
Cavalry that counters ranged soldiers and siege engines.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 40 Food, 80 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers and siege engines
- Countered By
- Infantry
- Added In
- Base game
Hoplite
Infantry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 50 Food, 40 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry
- Countered By
- Ranged units
- Added In
- Base game
Hypaspist
Infantry that counters infantry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical, Heroic
- Cost
- 60 Food, 25 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Cavalry and ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Base game
Kataskopos
Starting cavalry scout.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- -
- Cost
- 75 Food
- Good Against
- No specific counter listed; scout role
- Countered By
- Most combat units
- Added In
- Base game
Myrmidon
Infantry with divine damage.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Mythic
- Cost
- 70 Food, 50 Gold
- Good Against
- Most units
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Base game
Peltast
Ranged soldier that counters ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 70 Wood, 25 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Most other unit types
- Added In
- Base game
Prodromos
Cavalry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 70 Food, 40 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry
- Countered By
- Non-cavalry units
- Added In
- Base game
Toxotes
Ranged soldier that counters infantry.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 55 Wood, 35 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Fast units, especially cavalry
- Added In
- Base game
Pantheon
Japanese
Naginata Rider
Cavalry that counters ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 45 Food, 70 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Infantry with anti-cavalry bonuses
- Added In
- Heavenly Spear
Samurai
Durable general-purpose infantry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 105 Food, 75 Gold
- Good Against
- Most units it can reach
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Heavenly Spear
Shinobi
Infantry that attacks ranged soldiers and buildings.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 65 Food, 85 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers and buildings
- Countered By
- Cavalry
- Added In
- Heavenly Spear
Yari Spearman
Infantry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 55 Food, 25 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Heavenly Spear
Yumi Archer
Ranged soldier that counters infantry.
- Unit Type
- Ranged
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 50 Wood, 40 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Cavalry
- Added In
- Heavenly Spear
Yumi Horse Archer
Fast mounted ranged soldier that counters infantry.
- Unit Type
- Ranged cavalry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 75 Wood, 45 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Infantry with anti-cavalry bonuses
- Added In
- Heavenly Spear
Pantheon
Norse
Berserk
Melee infantry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Archaic
- Cost
- 50 Food, 30 Gold
- Good Against
- Melee units
- Countered By
- Ranged units
- Added In
- Base game
Hirdman
Infantry that counters cavalry.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 40 Food, 45 Gold
- Good Against
- Cavalry
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers
- Added In
- Base game
Huskarl
Infantry that counters ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Infantry
- Age
- Archaic, Heroic
- Cost
- 75 Wood, 40 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers
- Countered By
- Other infantry and cavalry
- Added In
- Base game
Jarl
Heavy cavalry that counters human soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Heroic
- Cost
- 50 Food, 80 Gold
- Good Against
- Human soldiers
- Countered By
- Infantry with anti-cavalry bonuses
- Added In
- Base game
Raiding Cavalry
Fast cavalry that counters ranged soldiers.
- Unit Type
- Cavalry
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 40 Food, 50 Gold
- Good Against
- Ranged soldiers and siege engines
- Countered By
- Infantry with anti-cavalry bonuses
- Added In
- Base game
Throwing Axeman
Infantry that counters infantry with a ranged attack.
- Unit Type
- Infantry and ranged
- Age
- Classical
- Cost
- 50 Wood, 40 Gold
- Good Against
- Infantry
- Countered By
- Ranged soldiers and other unit types
- Added In
- Base game
What Human Units Are in Age of Mythology Retold
Human units are the soldiers who look like people, as opposed to the gods, monsters and creatures of myth. The game sorts them into three broad groups: infantry, cavalry and archers. Siege engines and ships belong to their own category, so they don't count as human units. The Greek, Egyptian, Norse and Atlantean civilizations came with the base game, while the Chinese, Japanese and Aztec sets arrived later through expansions.
How the Counter System Works
Human units follow a rock-paper-scissors pattern: infantry beat cavalry, cavalry beats archers, and archers beat infantry. The logic is easy to picture. Foot soldiers can hold off horses, cavalry runs down archers, and archers pick apart foot soldiers from range.
Each unit has extra damage against the type it's meant to beat, so putting the right unit in front of the right enemy makes a real difference. Treat the cycle as a rule of thumb rather than a law, because many units carry their own bonuses. Mounted archers like the Egyptian Chariot Archer blur the lines, since they move like cavalry, shoot like archers, and do well against infantry.
Human Units Against Myth Units and Heroes
Human units aren't built to win every fight on their own. Myth units are often very strong against them, while heroes are especially effective against myth enemies. A common approach is to hold the line with human units and bring in heroes to deal with the enemy's myth forces, since combat works best when heroes, myth units and god powers all work together.
How to Train and Pay for Human Units
You train human units at your military buildings, and each one is paid for with food, wood and gold. That's a big part of why they make up so much of an army, because they don't use favor. Favor goes to god powers and myth units, and it's the scarcest resource in the game, so keeping your soldiers on everyday resources leaves favor free for the things that need it.
The Human Units That Matter Most
A few human units are worth learning well because they show how the counter system works in practice. The Atlantean Murmillo is a sturdy infantry unit that holds the front against cavalry, though archers and counter-infantry can pick it apart, so it needs support. The Atlantean Turma is a fast ranged cavalry unit built for raids and flanking, and it does well against archers, but it is fragile against almost everything else. The Atlantean Contarius charges into archers and siege engines, while the Atlantean Arcus fights from behind the Murmillo line and picks apart enemy infantry.
On the Greek side, the Hypaspist, Peltast and Prodromos are the clearest examples of the counter cycle, since each one is built to beat a single type: infantry, archers and cavalry. Balance changes with each patch, so check a unit's in-game stats before you plan a whole army around it.
FAQ
What counters cavalry in Age of Mythology Retold?
Foot soldiers with anti-cavalry bonuses do the job best. The Egyptian Spearman, Greek Hoplite and Norse Hirdman are the standard answers to cavalry such as the Atlantean Contarius, and the Chinese Ge Halberdier fills the same role for the Chinese.
Can human units be turned into heroes?
Yes, for the Atlanteans. Most Atlantean human units can be converted into a hero, and converted units gain higher attack and defense, extra damage against myth units and the ability to gather relics. Retold also has separate hero versions of several human units, including Turma, Arcus and Fanatic.