Ever dreamed of seeing Joan of Arc leading Roman Centurions into battle or Hannibal Barca deploying Japanese Samurai to sack Rome? The new Age of Empires Mobile update makes this a reality with the introduction of the Mercenary Troops system. This exciting addition allows you to field units that are typically locked to other factions, opening up a whole new realm of strategic possibilities.

Starting at level 26, you'll unlock the Mercenary Camp, a new structure that enables you to contract and recruit these powerful units. Not only can you recruit these warriors, but you'll also have the opportunity to unlock and upgrade technology to enhance their capabilities further. Plus, you can get your first mercenaries for free by participating in the new event that's currently live.

The roster of available Mercenary units is diverse and includes 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 unlockable tech that will boost their already impressive battlefield prowess.

The new Mercenary Troops system evokes memories of Total War games, where overwhelming foes with hired swords was a thrilling strategy. However, this feature might be divisive among players, as some may feel it disrupts the game's balance. Only time will tell how this system will be received by the community. There's even potential for future additions like the historical Landsknechts, which could further enrich the gameplay.

If you're eager to dive into the game and need guidance on the best heroes to unlock, check out our comprehensive guides for Age of Empires Mobile. Our tier list ranks all heroes by power, helping you distinguish the top performers from the rest.