Minke Whale
Minke Whale is one of the infinite Coin resources found on coastal maps in Age of Empires III. Fishing Boats gather from it, and the species appears on maps such as New England and Plymouth. Its model identifies the map resource; it does not have a unique economy compared with the other whale types.
Recorded values
- Durability & mobility
- 100 (invulnerable) hit points · 9 line of sight
Role, availability & values
Each whale spot supports up to four Fishing Boats, and the listed gathering rate is 30 Coin per minute per boat before applicable upgrades. Unlike a Mine, the spot has no finite Coin reserve, although whaling gathers more slowly than land Mines. Home City shipments and Dock technologies such as Gill Nets and Long Lines can improve the rate.
Matchup & timing
Use Minke Whales as a sustained water-based Coin source when the shoreline and naval situation allow boats to work safely. It can help replace depleted Mines in a long match, but a concentrated fishing fleet can be raided. Protect the Dock and boats, and keep a land economy available when the coast is contested.
Same economy as other whale species
The Minke Whale uses the shared whale-resource profile rather than a separate species bonus: its Coin reserve is infinite and one site supports four Fishing Boats. Each boat gathers at a listed base rate of 30 Coin per minute before improvements. Minke Whales are recorded on maps such as New England and Plymouth; map generation determines whether a particular player can reach a site safely.
When a coastal Coin line is worth the investment
Whaling trades the Fishing Boat’s time and the player’s naval exposure for a resource stream that does not run dry. It is slower than a land Mine and boats concentrated at one site can be attacked together. Add Fishing Boats when a Dock and naval support can keep the route open, and shift them to Food schools or transport duties if the Coin site becomes unsafe. Gill Nets and Long Lines are Dock technologies that may improve fishing, subject to civilization access and the active version.