Zapotec Cult of the Dead
Zapotec Cult of the Dead is an Age of Empires III technology from the Exploration Age, researched at Trading Post or Tambo on a Zapotec settlement. It increases hand infantry damage by 20%.
Research profile
- Research location
- Trading Post or Tambo on a Zapotec settlement
- Research time
- 10 seconds
- Wood cost
- 200
- Coin cost
- 200
- Effect
- Hand infantry damage +20%
Effect & research conditions
Available from the Exploration Age. Research it at Trading Post or Tambo on a Zapotec settlement. Effect: Hand infantry damage +20%. Research costs 200 wood, 200 coin. Research takes 10 seconds.
Research condition
Available from the Exploration Age. Research it at Trading Post or Tambo on a Zapotec settlement.
When to research
Research Zapotec Cult of the Dead when the named units or matchup are relevant: Hand infantry damage +20%. Finish it before the affected force enters combat, and retain resources for counters and reinforcements; this modifier does not remove the units’ other weaknesses. Use the Trading Post or Tambo on a Zapotec settlement for research. Research takes 10 seconds and costs 200 wood, 200 coin.
Improve the hand-infantry force before fighting
This Exploration Age technology costs 200 Wood and 200 Coin and takes ten seconds at a Trading Post or Tambo on a Zapotec settlement. It increases hand infantry damage by 20%. Research before the affected troops engage, and prioritize it when hand infantry form a meaningful part of the army. The settlement and resource cost are part of the decision; if the army is primarily ranged, use the resources for a benefit that matches its actual composition.
The bonus is limited to hand-infantry damage
Zapotec Cult of the Dead increases Hand Infantry damage by 20%. Read the class restriction carefully: the effect belongs to units using the hand-infantry classification, not every unit recruited through a Zapotec settlement and not all infantry regardless of attack type. It raises damage rather than hit points, speed or siege output. The army still needs a way to reach its target and protect the affected units while they fight at close range. Before researching, check the unit classifications shown in the current roster and identify which members of the planned force will actually receive the improvement.
Compare the upgrade with the rest of the Zapotec plan
The technology is a quick improvement for a force that already relies on hand-fighting units; it has little value if the army is built around ranged attacks or artillery. Use it as part of a Native alliance plan only when the settlement and its units remain useful after the research is complete. The 20% damage bonus can improve the affected group’s contribution in a sustained engagement, but it does not remove the need to scout counters or bring a screen. Keep the upgrade’s unit-class scope distinct from other Zapotec options such as economic or shipment-related technologies.