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Powerful Musketeer from Scotland.
—In-game description

The Highlander is a mercenary in Age of Empires III. It is a stronger version of the Musketeer.

Overview[]

Like the Musketeer, Highlanders are solid ranged units that are effective against cavalry and decent against heavy infantry. Highlanders are more effective against infantry than their counterparts simply because they have such high damage, though they are still vulnerable to Light Infantry and artillery who outrange them. They are also relatively effective against buildings.

All European civilizations can pick The Mercenary Contractor for aging up to the Imperial Age, and he will improve mercenaries (including the Highlander) by increasing their hit points and attack by 50%.

Campaign appearances[]

In some scenarios of the Act I: Blood campaign, a number of Highlanders, while they cannot be trained by Knights of St. John, accompany the knights, most likely because of the presence of Scottish knight hero Morgan Black. In Act III: India of The Asian Dynasties, the East India Company deploys Highlanders against the rebelling Indians.

Further statistics[]

Unit strengths and weaknesses
Strong vs. Cavalry, shock infantry
Weak vs. Light infantry, counter-skirmishers, artillery
Improvements
Hit points Corselet Corselet (+25%; Spanish only)
Second guarantee Second Guarantee (+15%; Mexicans only)
Flint lock Flint Lock (+10%)
Cree Tanning Cree Tanning (+5%)
Gadaa System Gadaa System (+5%; Ethiopians only)
Navajo Weaving Navajo Weaving (+5%)
Tar kilns Tar Kilns (+5%)
Attack Paper cartridge Paper Cartridge (+15%)
Second guarantee Second Guarantee (+15%; Mexicans only)
Smokeless Powder Smokeless Powder (+10%)
Armatoloi Armatoloi (+5%)
Yoga Yoga (+5%)
Clenched Fist Clenched Fist (+25% hand attack)
Socket Bayonet Socket Bayonet (+20% hand attack)
Resistance Somali oryx shields Somali Oryx Hide Shields (+5% ranged resistance)
Hualcana Hualcana (+5%; Inca only)
Range Black Watch The Black Watch (+1; British only)
Line of Sight Black Watch The Black Watch (+3; British only)
Town Watch Town Watch (+3)
Speed Tillys Discipline Tilly's Discipline (+20%; Germans only)
Military Drummers Military Drummers (+10%)
Quechuan Mountaineering Quechuan Mountaineering (+10%)
Akan Drums Akan Fontomfrom (+5%)
Apache Endurance Apache Endurance (+5%)
Train time Standing Army Standing Army (-25%)
Akan Drums Akan Fontomfrom (-20%)
Blue Nile Ties Blue Nile Ties (-15%; Ethiopians only)
Quechuan Diet Quechuan Diet (-15%)
Immigrants Immigrants (-10%)
New Mexico Immigration New Mexico Immigration (-10%; United States only)
Philhellenism Philhellenism (-10%)
Strangers' Quarters Strangers' Quarters (-10%; Africans only)
Cost Blue Nile Ties Blue Nile Ties (-15%; Ethiopians only)
Philhellenism Philhellenism (-10%)
Mapuche Ad-mapu Mapuche Ad-mapu (-10% coin cost)
Golden liberty Golden Liberty (-5% coin cost)
Yemeni Relations Yemeni Relations (exchanges cost for 50% coin, 50% influence; Ethiopians only)
Other Multinationalism Multinationalism (ships 8 random European mercenaries)
Black Watch The Black Watch (ships 8 Highlanders; Highlanders can be hired at the Tavern and get the Regeneration ability; British only)
Penalties Corselet Corselet (-15% speed; Spanish only)
Tillys Discipline Tilly's Discipline (+10% cost; Germans only)
Second guarantee Second Guarantee (+30% train time; Mexicans only)

Home City Cards[]

Click for a list of Home City Cards related to the Highlander
Some cards are highlighted with:
Green TEAM Shipment that is sent to each player in a team
Purple Shipment that can be sent an INFINITE number of times
Red Shipment that can be sent twice
Blue Shipment that arrives fast (5 seconds)

All[]

Card Description Age
Team ranged infantry damage TEAM Senegalese Riflemen Ranged infantry get +10% attack; French and Hausa-only ranged infantry get +15% attack instead
Age III tech tree aoe3
Mexican Home City 3 (Liberation March) Liberation March Infantry, cavalry, and shock infantry get +5% speed and -35% train time
Age III tech tree aoe3
Spanish Home City 3 (Fencing School) Fencing School Infantry and shock infantry train time -40% (also +2 Uhlans for the Germans; +1 Hindu Villager for the Indians)
Age II tech tree aoe3
Baja California Home City (Outlaw Combat) Outlaw Combat Outlaws and mercenaries get +15% hit points and attack (also upgrades Filibusters to Veteran and costs 500 coin for Baja California)
Revolution
  • "TEAM Senegalese Riflemen" is available to the French and Hausa.
  • "Liberation March" is available to the Mexicans and Spanish.
  • "Fencing School" is available to the Europeans (except the French, Maltese, Ottomans, and Spanish) and Indians.
  • "Outlaw Combat" is available to the Mexicans upon revolting to Baja California and Europeans upon revolting to the Barbary States, Hungary, and Mexico.

Africans[]

Card Description Age
Trainspeed africa Feudal Armies All units' train time -15%; hero respawn time -15%
Age III tech tree aoe3
Loyal warriors Loyal Warriors Native warriors, mercenaries, and outlaws cost -15% (also affects shipments)
Age III tech tree aoe3

British[]

Card Description Age
British Home City 2 (Musketeers and Longbowmen Hitpoints) TEAM Grenadier Guards Musket infantry and grenade troopers get +15% hit points
Age II tech tree aoe3

Chinese[]

Card Description Age
Chinese Home City 1 (TEAM Yongle Infrastructure) TEAM Yongle Infrastructure Ships 1 Mongol Scout; infantry, land villagers, healing units, Envoys, and Disciples get +5% speed
Age II tech tree aoe3
Western reforms Western Reforms All units get +8% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Acupuncture aoe3 Acupuncture All units' train time -20%
Age III tech tree aoe3
  • "TEAM Yongle Infrastructure" does not stack with the Inca "TEAM Inca Bridges" card.

Dutch[]

Card Description Age
Dutch Home City 2 (Infantry Hitpoints) TEAM Infantry Hitpoints Infantry get +10% hit points; Dutch-only infantry get +15% hit points instead
Age II tech tree aoe3
Dutch Home City 5 (Dutch States Army) Dutch States Army Mercenary train time -15% and shipments arrive time -20%, and get +7% speed (except Napoleon Guns and Li'l Bombards); enables training of Highlanders at Barracks, Royal Horsemen at Stables, and both at Tavern; Pikemen, Halberdiers, Skirmishers, Hussars, and Ruyters cost +10%
Age III tech tree aoe3

Ethiopians[]

Card Description Age
Ethiopian Home City 2 (TEAM Coffee Consumption) TEAM Coffee Consumption Ranged infantry get +5% speed
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Temenyas Temenyas Gunpowder infantry get +5% attack; Neftenya available in the Commerce Age
Age I tech tree aoe3
Ignatian spirituality Ignatian Spirituality All units get +5% hit points and regeneration capability even while in combat
Age IV tech tree aoe 3

Europeans[]

Card Description Age
Spanish Home City 5 (Hire Highlander) Hire Scottish Highlanders Ships 9 Highlanders; costs 1,000 coin
Age III tech tree aoe3
Spanish Home City 5 (Highland Mercenary Army) Hire Highland Mercenary Army Ships 8 Swiss Pikemen, 6 Highlanders, and 4 Harquebusiers; costs 2,000 coin
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Loyal warriors Loyal Warriors Native warriors, mercenaries, and outlaws cost -15%; "TEAM 4 Zenata Rider", "Recruit Xebec", "Recruit Xebecs", and "15 Berber Allies" cost no coin
Revolution
Canada Home City (Blackwatch Highlanders) 14 Blackwatch Highlanders Ships 14 Black Watches (Highlanders); costs 1,000 coin
Revolution
Gran Colombia Home City (Albion Mercenary Legion) Albion Mercenary Legion Ships 2 Highlanders, 2 Jaegers, and 3 Harquebusiers
Revolution
South Africa Home City (Wanderlust) Wanderlust Land units get +5% hit points; land villagers and wagons get +5% speed
Revolution
  • "Hire Scottish Highlanders" is available to the British, Russians, and Spanish.
  • "Hire Highland Mercenary Army" is available to the British, Dutch, Germans (with +1 extra Swiss Pikeman, Highlander, and Harquebusier), Russians, and Spanish.
  • "Loyal Warriors" is available to the Italians, Maltese, Ottomans, and Portuguese upon revolting to the Barbary States.
  • "14 Blackwatch Highlanders" is available to the British and French upon revolting to Canada.
  • "Albion Mercenary Legion" is available to the Germans, Portuguese, and Spanish upon revolting to Gran Colombia.
  • "Wanderlust" is available to the British and Dutch upon revolting to South Africa, and can be sent 3 times.

French[]

Card Description Age
French Home City 3 (Royal Fencing School) Royal Fencing School Infantry and shock infantry train time -40%; +3 Royal Musketeers
Age II tech tree aoe3

Germans[]

Card Description Age
German Home City 5 (Improved Mercenaries) Improved Mercenaries Mercenaries get +15% hit points and attack; +3 Uhlans
Age III tech tree aoe3

Haudenosaunee[]

Card Description Age
Iroquois Home City 2 (Scout Infantry) TEAM Scout Infantry Ships 1 Native Scout; infantry get +8 Line of Sight
Age II tech tree aoe3
Iroquois Home City 3 (Conservative Tacticcs) Conservative Tactics Infantry get +10% hit points and attack
Age II tech tree aoe3
Haudenosaunee Home City 5 (Covenant Chain) Covenant Chain Ships 4 Irish Brigadiers, 4 Highlanders, 3 Harquebusiers, and 2 Heavy Cannons; costs 2,000 coin
Age IV tech tree aoe 3

Hausa[]

Card Description Age
Hausa Home City Cards 5 (Sahelian Kingdoms) Sahelian Kingdoms Native warriors get +15% hit points and attack; mercenaries and outlaws get +10% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3

Inca[]

Card Description Age
Inca Home City 2 (Road Building) Road Building Land military units get +10% speed
Age II tech tree aoe3
Inca Home City 2 (TEAM Inca Bridges) TEAM Inca Bridges Ships 1 Chasqui; infantry, land villagers, healing units, and Envoys get +5% speed
Age I tech tree aoe3
  • "TEAM Inca Bridges" does not stack with the Chinese "TEAM Yongle Infrastructure" card.

Indians[]

Card Description Age
Dravidian martial arts Dravidian Martial Arts All units get +15% hand attack; Rajputs get +20% hand attack instead; +1 Hindu Villager
Age II tech tree aoe3
Shivajis tactics TEAM Shivaji's Tactics All units get +5% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Indian Home City 3 (Conscript Sepoys) Zamindars Infantry train time -20%; receives 2 Sepoys instead of 1 Hindu Villager with every Home City shipment; +2 Sepoys
Age II tech tree aoe3

Italians[]

Card Description Age
Iroquois Home City 2 (Infantry Hitpoints) Infantry Hitpoints Infantry get +15% hit points
Age II tech tree aoe3
Italian Home City 2 (Schiavoni Swords) Schiavoni Swords Infantry and cavalry get +15% hand attack
Age II tech tree aoe3

Japanese[]

Card Description Age
Onin war Onin War Infantry get +33% siege attack
Age II tech tree aoe3
Bakufu Bakufu Daimyo and Shogun Tokugawa get +5% speed, +10 Line of Sight and train units 15% faster; land military unit train time -20%, artillery and banner army train time -10% instead
Age III tech tree aoe3

Lakota[]

Card Description Age
Sioux Home City 2 (Wind Runner) Moccasins Infantry get +10% speed
Age IV tech tree aoe 3

Maltese[]

Card Description Age
Maltese Home City 2 (TEAM Knights of the Round Table) TEAM Knights of the Round Table Ships 1 Hospitaller for each Town Center owned by the player; all units get +2% hit points
Age I tech tree aoe3
Maltese Home City 3 (Squires) Squires Military buildings train and research work 80% faster, except Forts which train and research work 340% faster
Age III tech tree aoe3

Mexicans[]

Card Description Age
Mexican Home City 2 (Plan of Tuxtepec) Plan of Tuxtepec [Plan] Turns all Salteadores into Soldados; musket infantry get +1 Line of Sight and range; costs 500 food, 500 wood
Age III tech tree aoe3
Mexican Home City 2 (TEAM Mariachi) TEAM Mariachi For the next 30 seconds, military buildings work 400% faster and units get +10% speed
Age I tech tree aoe3
Federal card colegio de san nicolas Colegio de San Nicolás Ships 500 XP; units get +4 and buildings (except Walls) get +8 Line of Sight; sees what enemies can see for 20 seconds
Age II tech tree aoe3
Federal card bustamante Bustamante The General can build Field Hospitals for free; musket infantry get +10% hit points; Field Hospitals can train Soldados
Age III tech tree aoe3
Federal card national servant National Servant All units get +10% hit points; Padre healing 200% faster
Imperial Age
Rio Grande Home City (Bastimento) Bastimento Villager train time -20%; infantry train time -25%, Revolutionary train time -50% instead
Revolution
Maya Home City (Pok Ta Pok) Pok Ta Pok Infantry get +10% speed and -10% train time
Revolution
  • "Colegio de San Nicolás" is available upon selecting the Michoacán Federal State.
  • "Bustamante" is available upon selecting the San Luis Potosí Federal State.
  • "National Servant" is available upon selecting the Estado de México Federal State.
  • "Bastimento" is available upon revolting to Rio Grande.
  • "Pok Ta Pok" is available upon revolting to the Maya.

Ottomans[]

Card Description Age
Ottoman Home City 3 (Matrakci School) Matrakci School Infantry and shock infantry train time -30%; Janissary, Azap, Nizam Fusilier, Abus Gunner, and Humbaraci train time -40% instead
Age II tech tree aoe3

Portuguese[]

Card Description Age
Portuguese Home City 2 (Gunpowder Infantry Hitpoints) TEAM Gunpowder Infantry Hitpoints Gunpowder infantry get +15% hit points
Age IV tech tree aoe 3

Russians[]

Card Description Age
Russian Home City 2 (Ransack) Ransack Infantry get +50% siege attack
Age III tech tree aoe3
Russian Home City 3 (Dueling School) Dueling School Infantry train time -25%
Age I tech tree aoe3

Spanish[]

Card Description Age
Spanish Home City 2 (Peninsular Guerrillas) Peninsular Guerrillas Ranged infantry get +20% attack, musket infantry get +10% attack instead; Skirmishers now see the Line of Sight of enemies they attacked for 3 seconds
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Spanish Home City 3 (Inquisition) TEAM Spanish Inquisition Ships 1 Inquisitor; all units get +10 Line of Sight
Age II tech tree aoe3

Swedes[]

Card Description Age
Swedish Home City 2 (TEAM House of Bernadotte) TEAM House of Bernadotte Heavy infantry get +15% hit points
Age II tech tree aoe3
Swedish Home City 5 (German Mercenary Contracts) German Mercenary Contracts Mercenaries get +20% hit points and attack; Jaegers and Landsknechts can be trained at Barracks and Galleons; Black Riders can be trained at Stables and Galleons
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Spanish Home City 5 (Hire Highlander) Contract Scottish Highlanders Ships 9 Highlanders; Highlanders can be trained at the Tavern and Barracks; costs 1,000 coin
Age III tech tree aoe3

United States[]

Card Description Age
US Home City 2 (United States Army) United States Army The General, Minutemen, and heavy infantry get +15% hit points and attack
Age III tech tree aoe3
Immigrants scottish Scottish Immigrants [Immigrant] Ships 1 Highlander for each Saloon, Meeting House and Trading Post (up to 10); costs 400 coin
Age III tech tree aoe3
US Home City 5 (Poker) Poker Ships 13 random mercenaries; up to 3 random mercenaries available at Saloon; costs 3,500 coin
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
Federal card indiana mobilization Indiana Mobilization Ships 1 Carbine Cavalry for each shipment sent so far this game including this one; unit train time (except Heavy Cannons), technology research time, and age-up time -10%; costs 250 food, 250 wood
Age III tech tree aoe3
Federal card hamilton's own Hamilton's Own Ships 4 Napoleon Guns and 2 Li'l Bombards; mercenaries get +25% hit points and attack; costs 2,500 coin
Imperial Age
  • "Indiana Mobilization" is available upon selecting the Indiana Federal State.
  • "Hamilton's Own" is available upon selecting the New York Federal State.

All[]

Card Description Age HC level
Spanish Home City 3 (Fencing School) Fencing School Infantry train time -40% (also +2 Uhlans for the Germans; +1 Villager for the Indians)
Age II tech tree aoe3
10
  • "Fencing School" is available to the Europeans (except the Ottomans) and Indians.

Chinese[]

Card Description Age HC level
Western reforms Western Reforms All units get +8% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
40
Acupuncture aoe3 Acupuncture All units' train time -20%
Age III tech tree aoe3
10

Dutch[]

Card Description Age HC level
Dutch Home City 2 (Infantry Hitpoints) TEAM Infantry Hitpoints Infantry get +15% hit points
Age II tech tree aoe3
10

Europeans[]

Card Description Age HC level
Spanish Home City 5 (Hire Highlander) Hire Scottish Highlanders Ships 9 Highlanders; costs 1,000 coin
Age III tech tree aoe3
10
Spanish Home City 5 (Highland Mercenary Army) Hire Highland Mercenary Army Ships 8 Swiss Pikemen, 6 Highlanders, and 4 Harquebusiers; costs 2,000 coin
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
25
  • "Hire Scottish Highlanders" is available to the British, Russians, and Spanish.
  • "Hire Highland Mercenary Army" is available to the British, Dutch, Germans (with +1 extra Swiss Pikeman, Highlander, and Harquebusier), Russians, and Spanish.

French[]

Card Description Age HC level
French Home City 2 (Ranged Infantry Attack) TEAM Ranged Infantry Attack Gunpowder infantry and archers get +15% attack
Age III tech tree aoe3
10

Germans[]

Card Description Age HC level
German Home City 5 (Improved Mercenaries) Improved Mercenaries Mercenaries get +20% hit points and attack; +3 Uhlans
Age III tech tree aoe3
10

Haudenosaunee[]

Card Description Age HC level
Iroquois Home City 2 (Scout Infantry) TEAM Scout Infantry Infantry get +8 Line of Sight
Age II tech tree aoe3
10

Indians[]

Card Description Age HC level
Dravidian martial arts Dravidian Martial Arts All units get +15% hand attack; +1 Villager
Age II tech tree aoe3
40
Shivajis tactics TEAM Shivaji's Tactics All units get +5% hit points and attack
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
25

Japanese[]

Card Description Age HC level
Onin war Onin War Infantry get +33% siege attack
Age II tech tree aoe3
40

Portuguese[]

Card Description Age HC level
Portuguese Home City 2 (Gunpowder Infantry Hitpoints) TEAM Gunpowder Infantry Hitpoints Gunpowder infantry get +15% hit points
Age IV tech tree aoe 3
10

Russians[]

Card Description Age HC level
Russian Home City 2 (Ransack) Ransack Infantry get +50% siege attack
Age III tech tree aoe3
25
Russian Home City 3 (Dueling School) Dueling School Infantry (except Skull Knights), Old Han Army, and Territorial Army train time -25%; Black Flag Army, Standard Army, Ming Army, and Imperial Army train time -12%
Age II tech tree aoe3
25

Spanish[]

Card Description Age HC level
Spanish Home City 3 (Inquisition) TEAM Inquisition All units get +10 Line of Sight
Age I tech tree aoe3
10

Marauding Highlander[]

The Marauding Highlander is a treasure guardian variant of the Highlander. It uses slightly modified stats from the base unit.

Changelog[]

Definitive Edition[]

Knights of the Mediterranean[]

  • With update 14.43676, Highlanders shipped by The Black Watch received new models.

In-game dialogue[]

The Highlander speaks Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic language, which is also spoken by Morgan Black.

Trivia[]

  • The Highlander is based on Seven Years' War period Highlander regiments.
  • The Black Watch version is based on Napoleonic Wars period Highlander regiments.

History[]

The Highlanders were clansmen warriors and soldiers from the highlands of Scotland. A group of Highlanders raised in 1745 under the banner of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charles or the Young Pretender, fought against English royalist armies with the goal of restoring the Scottish line of kings (the Stuarts) to the throne of England. They were ultimately unsuccessful and many highlanders scattered to mainland Europe and America to escape the ruthless oppression of the Scottish Highlands. In their new homes, regiments of these Scotsmen fought as part of other armies.

Highlanders carried swords, daggers and rifles. They wore kilts, bonnets (a seamless and brimless woolen cap typically with a strip of tartan around the headband) and double-breasted coats.

Gallery[]

Mercenary and Outlaw units in Age of Empires III
Aoe3 unit type mercenary Mercenaries
InfantryMercenary armored pistoleer portrait Armored Pistoleer · Arsonist aoe3de Arsonist · Askari aoe3de portrait Askari · Corsair de Barbary Corsair · Cannoneer portrait aoe3de Cannoneer · Dahomey amazon aoe3de portrait Dahomey Amazon · Fusilier de Fusilier · Mercenary giant grenadier portrait Giant Grenadier · Highlander de Highlander · Mercenary irish brigade portrait Irish Brigadier · Iron troop aoe3de Iron Troop · Jaeger portrait aoe3de updated Jaeger · Landsknecht de Landsknecht · Ninja de Ninja · Mercenary pandour portrait Pandour · Ronin de Ronin · Swiss pikeman aoe3de Swiss Pikeman · Zouave icon aoe3de Zouave
CavalryBlack rider aoe3de Black Rider · Mercenary bosniak rider portrait Bosniak · Elmeti aoe3de Elmetto · Gatling camel aoe3de portrait Gatling Camel · Hackapell aoe3de Hackapell · Harquebusier icon Harquebusier · Jat lancer de Jat Lancer · Kanuri guard aoe3de portrait Kanuri Guard · Mameluke aoe3de Mameluke · Manchu de Manchu · Mercenary mounted rifleman portrait Mounted Rifleman · Mercenary royal horseman portrait Royal Horseman · Sennar horseman aoe3de portrait Sennar Horseman · Stradiot aoe3de Stradiot · Yojimbo aoe3de Yojimbo · Zenata rider aoe3de portrait Zenata Rider
ArtilleryLil bombard aoe3de Li'l Bombard · Napoleon gun icon aoe3de Napoleon Gun · Gatling camel aoe3de portrait Gatling Camel
ShipBattleship portrait Battleship · Privateer aoe3de Privateer · War dhow portrait aoe3de War Dhow · Wokou junk aoe3de Wokou Junk · Xebec portrait aoe3de Xebec
Outlaws
InfantryAfrican vagabond portrait African Vagabond · Colonial looter portrait Colonial Looter · Dacoit aoe3de Dacoit · Desert archer portrait aoe3de Desert Archer · Desert warrior portrait aoe3de Desert Warrior · Hajduk portrait Hajduk · Highwayman dismounted portrait Highwayman · Inquisitor portrait Inquisitor · Pistolero aoe3de Pistolero · Renegado aoe3de Renegado · Thuggee aoe3de Thuggee · Blind monk aoe3de Wokou Monk · Wayward ronin aoe3de Wokou Ronin
Shock infantryPirate aoe3de Pirate · Wokou pirate aoe3de Wokou Pirate
CavalryComanchero icon aoe3de Comanchero · Cossack daredevil portrait Cossack Daredevil · Crabat portrait Crabat · Desert raider portrait aoe3de Desert Raider · Highwayman dismounted portrait Highwayman · Wokou horseman aoe3de Wokou Horseman
ArtilleryCaptured mortar aoe3de Captured Mortar
ShipCatamaran aoe3de Marathan Catamaran
Flag American act3 aoe3de United StatesGunslinger aoe3de Gunslinger · Cowboy aoe3de Cowboy · Owlhoot aoe3de Owlhoot
Flag MexicanDE MexicansDesperado portrait Desperado · Vaquero portrait Cuatrero · Bandido portrait Bandido
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