Ever dreamed of seeing Joan of Arc leading Roman Centurions into battle? Or perhaps Hannibal Barca commanding Japanese Samurai to sack Rome? With the latest update to Age of Empires Mobile, these scenarios are now possible thanks to the exciting new Mercenary Troops system.

Once you hit level 26, you'll unlock the Mercenary Camp structure, which allows you to contract and recruit powerful units from other factions. This system not only lets you field units normally locked to your faction but also comes with unlockable technology to further enhance their capabilities. Plus, you can secure your first mercenaries for free through a new event that's currently live.

The Mercenary units you can add to your army include Byzantine Cataphracts, Swiss Pikemen, Persian Immortals, Indian Battle Elephants, Roman Centurions, Egyptian Chariot Archers, Japanese Samurai, and Korean Archers. Each of these units comes with technology upgrades to boost their already formidable abilities on the battlefield.

The introduction of the Mercenary Troops system evokes memories of Total War games, like Rome: Total War and Medieval II, where overwhelming the enemy with hired swords was a thrilling strategy. However, opinions may vary, with some players feeling this could disrupt the game's balance.

Only time will tell how this new system will play out in the hands of players. There's also the potential for future additions, such as historical units like the Landsknechts. It's an exciting development that we'll have to watch closely.

If you're looking to get started with the best heroes to unlock, be sure to check out our guides for Age of Empires Mobile. Our tier list ranks all heroes by power, helping you decide who's worth your time and who isn't.