Ever dreamt of witnessing Joan of Arc leading Roman Centurions into battle, or Hannibal Barca commanding Japanese Samurai to sack Rome? With the latest update to Age of Empires Mobile, this dream becomes a reality thanks to the new Mercenary Troops system. This innovative feature lets you deploy units that are traditionally exclusive to other factions, adding a thrilling layer of strategy to your gameplay.

Starting at level 26, players can unlock the Mercenary Camp structure, which serves as your gateway to hiring and recruiting these powerful new units. Not only can you contract mercenaries, but you'll also have the opportunity to unlock and upgrade technology to boost their capabilities even further. To kick things off, you can secure your first mercenaries for free through an exciting new event that's currently live.

The roster of available Mercenary units includes an impressive lineup: Byzantine Cataphracts, Swiss Pikemen, Persian Immortals, Indian Battle Elephants, Roman Centurions, Egyptian Chariot Archers, Japanese Samurai, and Korean Archers. Each of these units comes with its own tech upgrades, enhancing their already formidable presence on the battlefield.

Blood MoneyThe introduction of the Mercenary Troops system evokes memories of Total War, particularly the thrill of overwhelming foes with hired swords in classics like Rome: Total War and Medieval II. However, this addition might be a polarizing one, as some players may view it as a disruption to the game's balance.

Only time will tell how this system will be received by the community. There's even the possibility of future additions, such as historical units like the Landsknechts. We'll have to keep an eye out for what's next.

If you're eager to dive into the game and want to know which heroes to prioritize, our comprehensive guides for Age of Empires Mobile are here to help. Our tier list ranks all heroes by power, giving you the insights you need to distinguish the top performers from the rest.