Teutonic Knights
Teutonic Knights is a Commerce Age Church technology for the Maltese in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Knights of the Mediterranean. After the Papal Bull Home City Card has been sent, it increases Hospitaller damage by 25% but reduces their speed by 20%.
Research profile
- Age
- Commerce Age
- Civilization
- Maltese
- Research location
- Church
- Home City Card
- Papal Bull
- Research time
- 15 seconds
- Effect
- Hospitaller damage +25%, but speed -20%
Effect & research conditions
Research takes 15 seconds at a Church. The damage increase raises the Hospitaller’s output in a fight, while the speed penalty makes the unit slower to reach targets, chase enemies or retreat. The effect is specific to Hospitallers; it does not improve every Maltese infantry unit. The Papal Bull card is a prerequisite, so Church access alone is not sufficient.
Research condition
Available to Maltese from the Commerce Age. Research it at Church.
When to research
Research when Hospitallers will fight around a position the army can hold, such as a defended approach or a planned siege, and when supporting units can cover their slower movement. Avoid relying on the upgraded Hospitallers to chase mobile enemies or answer distant raids. If the army’s plan depends on rapid repositioning, compare the damage gain with the 20% loss of speed before committing.
The bonus trades mobility for combat power
The 25% damage increase rewards Hospitallers that can stay in contact with their targets. Their reduced speed makes it harder to pick the engagement, so pair them with units that can screen threats and help control the approach. A stronger attack is most useful when the army can hold ground; it is less valuable when the opponent can kite or disengage freely.
Meet the card and building conditions
Papal Bull must be sent before researching Teutonic Knights, and the technology is researched at the Maltese Church in the Commerce Age. Include the card slot and the Church investment in the plan rather than assuming the upgrade is available as soon as the Age begins. Once researched, its Hospitaller-specific effect should be evaluated against the match’s mobility needs.