Zapotec Allies
Zapotec Allies is an exclusive Inca alliance branch researched at a Native Embassy from the Exploration Age. It opens Zapotec Lightning Warrior training and upgrades, plus the Cloud People, Cult of the Dead and Food of the Gods technologies. Choosing it closes the Carib and Mapuche branches.
Research profile
- Civilization
- Inca
- Research location
- Native Embassy
- Research time
- 5 seconds
- Effect
- Enables Zapotec Lightning Warriors to be trained and upgraded at Native Embassies; Enables Zapotec Cloud People, Zapotec Cult of the Dead, and Zapotec Food of the Gods to be researched; Disables Carib Allies and Mapuche Allies
Effect & research conditions
The Native Embassy research takes 5 seconds. It unlocks access; it does not deliver Lightning Warriors or automatically research the three Zapotec technologies. Those follow-ups still need their own resources, time and population. The choice also disables Carib Allies and Mapuche Allies, so the player cannot switch to either branch after committing.
Research condition
Inca; Exploration Age; Native Embassy; 5-second research; disables Carib Allies and Mapuche Allies.
When to research
Choose Zapotec Allies when its warrior and technology options support the Inca army or map plan better than the Carib and Mapuche alternatives. Compare the exclusive branches before researching, then check which follow-up unit or upgrade the army will actually use. A five-second unlock is quick, but the lost alternatives remain unavailable for the match.
A Native Embassy branch with exclusive access
Zapotec Allies is an Inca Exploration Age choice researched at a Native Embassy. It enables Zapotec Lightning Warriors to be trained and upgraded there and opens Zapotec Cloud People, Zapotec Cult of the Dead and Zapotec Food of the Gods. The choice disables Carib Allies and Mapuche Allies, so its value must be compared with the two alternative alliance routes before the player commits.
Researching the alliance does not buy the follow-ups
The five-second research unlocks the Zapotec branch; it does not automatically research its three technologies or deliver Lightning Warriors. The player still needs the Native Embassy, resources, population and time for each later option. Choose Zapotec when the available unit and technology roles fit the map and army plan, and account for losing Carib and Mapuche access. A short research time should not obscure the long-term exclusivity of the decision.