Grand Master
Grand Master is Maltese hero in Age of Empires III. Its listed ability is Claims treasures; Builds Town Centers, Trading Posts, Commanderies*, Depots, Fixed Guns, and Forts.
Recorded values
- Durability & mobility
- 500 hit points · 10% ranged resistance · 4.5 speed · 18 line of sight
- Ranged attack
- 12 base damage · range 16 · attack interval 3.0 · bonus damage: 3.0x vs. Treasure guardian; 0.25x vs. Villager
- Siege attack
- 15 base damage · range 6 · attack interval 3.0
- Hand attack
- 6 base damage · attack interval 1.5 · bonus damage: Same as ranged attack
- Sharpshooter attack
- 750 base damage · range 16 · attack interval 3.0
- Saber strike (charged)
- 8 base damage · attack interval 2.0 · area of effect 3 · bonus damage: 4.0x vs. Treasure guardian; 0.25x vs. Villager · recharge 20 · requires Industrial Age
- Oberhau attack
- 200 base damage · attack interval 2.0 · area of effect 4 · bonus damage: 3.0x vs. Treasure guardian · requires The Scottish Marshal
- Ability
- Claims treasures; Builds Town Centers, Trading Posts, Commanderies*, Depots, Fixed Guns, and Forts
Role, availability & values
It has 500 hit points and 10% ranged resistance. It moves at 4.5 speed. Attack profile: Ranged attack: 12 damage at range 16; every 3.0 seconds. Siege attack: 15 damage at range 6; every 3.0 seconds. Hand attack: 6 damage; every 1.5 seconds. Sharpshooter attack: 750 damage at range 16; every 3.0 seconds. Saber strike (charged): 8 damage; every 2.0 seconds; area of effect 3. Oberhau attack: 200 damage; every 2.0 seconds; area of effect 4. Special ability or role: Claims treasures; Builds Town Centers, Trading Posts, Commanderies*, Depots, Fixed Guns, and Forts. If reduced to zero hit points, it collapses rather than dying; after regenerating 100 hit points, a friendly unit or building nearby can revive it.
Matchup & timing
Use the hero to reveal the map, defeat manageable Treasure guardians and claim nearby Treasures; avoid trading the hero’s health for a reward guarded by a force it cannot beat. A Trading Post ability turns the hero into an early map-control tool; scout the route first and build where the site can be defended. Use the Town Center ability to establish expansion only after scouting a safe location and enough nearby resources. If it collapses, keep a friendly unit or building nearby and protect the recovery period until it reaches 100 hit points. This hero can also be recovered by paying 100 Coin at the Town Center, according to its scenario rules.
Maltese hero construction and abilities
The Grand Master is the Maltese hero in Knights of the Mediterranean. It has 500 hit points, 10% ranged resistance, speed 4.5 and line of sight 18, and can claim Treasures and build Town Centers, Trading Posts, Commanderies, Depots, Fixed Guns and Forts under the listed access conditions. The broad construction list gives the Maltese a way to establish map control and defensive positions through the hero, but building occupies it and leaves the site vulnerable. Scout before construction and escort the Grand Master. Its ordinary ranged attack deals 12 damage at range 16 every three seconds, and the siege attack deals 15. The hero’s Sharpshooter attack deals a very large 750 damage at range 16, while Saber Strike and Oberhau are area melee abilities for close combat. These specialized attacks should be used when their respective target and range conditions apply; do not expose the hero to a fight simply because a charged ability is available. If the Grand Master collapses, it can recover near a friendly unit or building after regenerating 100 hit points, or be recovered through the Town Center ransom rule in relevant modes. Protect the hero to preserve its building and Treasure utility. The unit belongs to Maltese Definitive Edition content; use the Maltese and Grand Master pages for card, ability and scenario limitations.
Construction choices and charged attacks
The Grand Master’s building ability can establish defensive and economic access across the map, but each structure has different value. A Town Center supports expansion, a Trading Post controls a route, and a Fixed Gun or Fort can anchor a defensive position. Build only after scouting and protect the hero while it works. The Sharpshooter’s 750 damage is a special attack, not the hero’s ordinary ranged damage; use it against an appropriate target when available. Saber Strike and Oberhau provide area damage at close range, so avoid exposing the hero to a mixed army without support. The Maltese Grand Master can collapse and be revived; protect it during recovery to preserve its construction and Treasure roles.
Supporting Maltese defenses
The Grand Master can place Fixed Guns, Depots and Forts where the Maltese need control, but the hero is exposed during construction. Use a screen to protect the site and return the hero to the army once the structure is complete. A safely placed defensive building can shape the next fight more than an unsupported forward construction.
Ability selection
Use Sharpshooter against a high-value target at range, Saber Strike or Oberhau when enemies close, and ordinary ranged attacks when no special ability is needed. Construction should happen only after the hero’s route and site are safe.
Building for map control
Use the hero’s build ability to place a Trading Post on a route or a defensive structure at a contested position. Scout and escort the hero because it is unavailable to fight while constructing, then return it to support the army.
Recovering the Maltese hero
If the hero falls, keep a friendly unit or building near it until it regenerates to 100 hit points. A Town Center ransom is available in relevant rules. Protect the recovery window so the hero can return to construction and combat.
Hero value after construction
After placing a Fort or Town Center, move the Grand Master back behind the Maltese frontline. Its ranged attack, area strikes and Treasure ability remain valuable after construction ends.
Maltese hero and builder
The Grand Master is the Maltese hero, limited to one, with 500 hit points, 10% ranged resistance, speed 4.5 and sight 18. He explores, claims Treasures and can construct Town Centers, Trading Posts, Commanderies, Depots, Fixed Guns and Forts. His ranged attack deals 12 damage at range 16 every three seconds and has a large bonus against Treasure Guardians; he also has a 15-damage Siege attack. A guardian-only Sharpshooter strike deals 750 damage and recharges every 60 seconds, giving the hero a powerful tool for clearing a guarded Treasure. Use the Grand Master to open the map and establish forward access, but keep him supported while building or fighting.
Collapse, ransom and late-game attacks
When the Grand Master reaches zero hit points, he collapses instead of dying. A friendly unit or building can revive him after he regenerates 100 hit points, or the player can pay 100 Coin at the Town Center to restore the hero there. This makes protecting the collapse site valuable, but an enemy can deny a recovery by controlling the area. In the Industrial Age, Saber Strike becomes available, and The Scottish Marshal card grants the Oberhau attack. These abilities have different requirements and cooldowns, so check the active Maltese profile before relying on them. His special attacks add burst damage, but the hero remains important for construction and Treasure work; avoid trading him for a small battlefield win.