Ngao Mbeba (Civ6)

Ngao Mbeba
Melee unit of the Classical Era
Introduced in Civilization VI
Unique to	Kongolese
Unique to	Kongolese
Replaces	Swordsman
Replaces	Swordsman
Unlocked by	Iron Working
Obsoleted by	Replaceable Parts
Resources
Resource	Iron
Resource	Iron
Cost
Production	110
Production	110
Gold	440
Gold	440
Maint.	2
Maint.	2
Stats
Movement	2
Movement	2
Melee	38
Melee	38
Sight	2
Sight	2
Upgrade path
Upgrades from
Warrior
Warrior
Upgrades to
Man-At-Arms
Man-At-Arms
Notes
Kongo unique Classical era unit that replaces the Swordsman. +10 Combat Strength when defending against ranged attacks. Can move and see through Woods and Rainforest.

Back to List of units in Civ6

The Ngao Mbeba is a unique melee unit of the Kongolese civilization. It replaces the Swordsman.

In the Gathering Storm expansion, the Ngao Mbeba requires 5 Iron to train.

• Common abilities:
  • +5 Combat Strength vs. anti-cavalry units.
• Special abilities:
  • Does not suffer Movement or sight penalties in Woods or Rainforests.
  • +10 Combat Strength when defending against ranged attacks.
• Special traits:
  • Higher Combat Strength (38 vs. 35).
  • Higher Production cost (110 vs. 90).

Strategy

The Ngao Mbeba gives the Kongolese player great advantage in Woods or Rainforests because of its much greater maneuverability. Furthermore, this unit is more resistant against the bane of the melee units - Archers and the like - and in vanilla Civilization VI and Rise and Fall it may be built even when the civilization doesn't have access to Iron. Its defensive advantages against ranged units allow it to stand toe-to-toe with Crossbowmen, and even reliably win one-on-one battles against them.

Use these advantages to expand your civilization while others are still struggling to overcome all the early game difficulties that Woods and Rainforests present. Ideally, you should target and conquer a nearby civilization also based around these features (Brazil, for example) to secure a strong start in the game. Scout surrounding areas well and if such a civilization exists, mass-produce Ngao Mbebas and attack!

Civilopedia entry

The Kingdom of Kongo’s army was a mass of archers with a smaller contingent of heavy infantry, which carried swords and shields. The colonial Portuguese referred to the latter in their accounts as adagueiros (“shield-bearers”) while in the few surviving native documents the Swahili term ngao mbeba is used. While the archers were militia conscripts in time of war, there is some evidence that the standing ngao mbeba were supported by stipends from the king. Perhaps as many as 20 thousand were garrisoned in the capital, with smaller contingents in the provinces under the command of the local authority. Under king Afonso I, a small unit of Portuguese-armed native musketmen was raised, and eventually the old shield-bearers were replaced by the deadlier youngsters.

Gallery

Ngao Mbeba concept art

Ngao Mbeba in game

Historic Moment for building the Ngao Mbeba