Mesoamerica (Civ3)

Intro screen for Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica is a scenario in Civilization III: Conquests. It was developed by Robert Waters and Michael Fetterman to showcase the Mayan and Incan civilizations.

Description

The Mesoamerican cultures of the Pre-Columbian era have captured the imagination of anthropologists and historians alike. From the industrious Inca and their imperial road system, to the magnificant temples of Mayan Tikal, and on into central Mexico where the mighty Aztecs paid blood homage to the god-king Quetzalcoatl, these cultures stood as a testament to the ingenuity and glory of ancient man. Can you, as either the Aztecs, the Maya, or the Inca, lead your people to victory, and forge an empire to withstand the coming of the Conquistadors?

Intro

Background

The date is 300 AD, the beginning of the Classic Age of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Many cultures live within the lush and mountainous regions of Mexico, Central and South America. Some are on the rise, while others fight to stave off their inevitable decay. Yet all share common traits: the worship of the jaguar and the feathered-serpent, the building of grand temples of limestone and granite, the capture and enslavement of enemy soldiers, and the giving of thanks to the gods through human sacrifice. These traits and more dominate the scene as the sun rises and sets on your bountiful lands. But unbeknownst to all, a pale flame smoulders in the east, and when it begins its steady rage westward, its embers will cook your salty beaches and tear asunder your mighty thrones... or will it?

Special

This scenario opens with three civilizations on the rise: The Maya, the Aztecs, and the Inca. Three others are in decline: The Olmecs, the Toltecs, and the Moche.

Victory

Victory is achieved either through acquiring enough "culture" for a Cultural Victory, or by gaining 35% of the terrain and 50% of the population. Otherwise, the winner is the side with the highest score at game end (1500 AD; 175 turns).

Notes

(1) The Amazon Rainforest - All forest spaces east of the Andes Mountains are impassable "rainforest"; (2) Jungle - Jungle terrain does not cause disease; (3) Ritual Sacrifice - An "enslaved" enemy unit can be delivered to a friendly city and "sacrificed" for Culture Points. For details, see the "Ritual Sacrifice" rule in the Civilopedia.

Gameplay

The scenario starts in 300 AD and ends in 1500 AD. The playable civilizations are the Aztecs of northern Mexico, the Mayans of the Yucatán, and the Incans of the Peruvian Andes. The non-playable civilizations are the Olmecs of eastern Mexico, the Toltecs of southern Mexico, and the Moche of Columbia. This scenario features unique government types, wonders, buildings, advances, and music.

In the multiplayer version of the scenario, all non-playable civilizations become playable.

There are two ways to achieve victory in this scenario:

• Accumulate enough culture for a Cultural Victory.
• Control 35% of the world's land surface and 50% of its population (i.e., a simplified Domination Victory).

If neither of these conditions is met, the player with the most Victory Points after 175 turns wins.

Civilizations

Playable

• Great Instigator Smoke-Jaguar (Maya)
  • Strengths: Industrious, Scientific
  • Starting Advances: Craftsmanship, Masonry
  • Unique Unit: Javelin Thrower
• Sapa-Inca Pachacuti (Inca)
  • Strengths: Agricultural, Expansionist
  • Starting Advances: Masonry, Pottery
  • Unique Unit: Chasqui Scout
• Revered Speaker Montezuma (Aztecs)
  • Strengths: Militaristic, Religious
  • Starting Advances: Ceremonial Burial, Warrior Code
  • Unique Unit: Jaguar Warrior

Non-Playable

All playable in multiplayer version.

• Lord Sipan (Moche)
  • Strengths: Industrious, Religious
  • Starting Advances: Ceremonial Burial, Masonry
  • Unique Unit: Chasqui Scout
• Spirit Jaguar (Olmecs)
  • Strengths: Agricultural, Religious
  • Starting Advances: Ceremonial Burial, Pottery
  • Unique Unit: Jaguar Warrior
• High Priest Ce Acatl Topiltzin (Toltecs)
  • Strengths: Militaristic, Religious
  • Starting Advances: Ceremonial Burial, Warrior Code
  • Unique Unit: Javelin Thrower

Special features

Advances

• Ball Games
• Blood Cult
• Body Ornamentation
• Celestial Knowledge
• Craftsmanship
• Enslavement
• Military Strategy
• Military Tactics
• Mummification
• Pacal's Laws
• Pack Animal
• Ritual Sacrifice
• Stone Carving
• Storytelling
• Terrace Farming

Tech tree

Mesoamerica Classic Age tech tree

Mesoamerica Post-Classic Age tech tree

Buildings

• Ball Court
• Codex
• Fishing Dock
• Natural Defenses
• Netzahualcoyotl's Court
• Sacrificial Altar
• Stela
• Tambo

Eras

• Classic Age
• Post-Classic Age
• The Future (not used)
• The Far Future (not used)

Governments

• Blood Cult

Resources

• Cacao Plant
• Exotic Birds
• Fruit
• Guinea Pigs
• Jade
• Llamas
• Maize
• Salt
• Stone Quarry

Terrains

• Rain Forest

Units

• Acáli
• Great Acáli
• Quetzal Bowman
• Silent Hunter
• Temple Guard

Wonders

• The Great Pyramid
• Palace of the Inca
• Sipan's Tomb
• Temple of Kukulcan
• Temple of the Moon
• Temple of the Sun
• Tezcatlipoca's War Rage

Small Wonders

• Caracol Observatory
• Palace of the Masks

Gallery

The map of the Mesoamerica Conquest

Mesoamerica Ritual Sacrifice screenshot

See also

• The Three Sisters: Introductory Conquest 2 (Civ3)
• Mesoamerica in other games

External links

• https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/20/civ-iii-conquest-designer-diary

Civilization III Scenarios [edit]
Age of DiscoveryC Ancient Treasures: Introductory Conquest 1C Fall of RomeC MesoamericaC MesopotamiaC Napoleonic EuropeC New Alliances: Introductory Conquest 3C Sengoku - Sword of the ShogunC The Middle AgesC The Rise of RomeC The Three Sisters: Introductory Conquest 2C WWII in the PacificC
C Added in the Conquests expansion pack