Guardians

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• Heroes
• Naval
• Guardians
• Urkans

Guardians are units with much higher attributes than regular units, powerful capacities (for example, mind-controlling an enemy unit), and unique Army Actions (for example, teleporting to a nearby tile). They cannot join other armies, nor be joined by other units, nor can they be garrisoned in a city.

Lore

There are older and greater things in the universe than the Endless, whose few hundred centuries barely scrape the surface of history. What of those older entities, those other forces? Did they disappear before the arrival of the Endless, or could the Endless, at the height of their power, have contained and controlled them? And now that the Endless have faded or moved on, might some of these elder beings suddenly rise up again…?

Mechanics

There are five Guardians, one for each unit class (////). An empire can build Guardians up to the number of Guardian technologies researched: for example, if they have researched Guardian of Dust, Guardian of Fire, and Guardian of Earth, they can build up to three Guardians of any kind and cannot build any more until they research another Guardian technology.

Note that the limit only prevents the empire from building new Guardians, but they may still be acquired via other means; for example, some Side Quests will reward a Guardian on completion. It is also technically possible to hire a Guardian mercenary from the marketplace, but this is exceedingly rare and depends on another empire selling a Guardian in the first place.

Unlike other units, a Guardian is built like a district and occupies a tile while it is under construction. The Guardian tile has similar placement restrictions to districts; e.g. it must be adjacent to the city and cannot be placed on an existing district, the city cannot be under siege, and anyone with vision of the tile can see the Guardian being constructed.

Guardian equipment is distinct from regular unit and hero equipment:

• Each Guardian has three weapons unique to them. One is equipped by default and costs only Industry, and the other two cost three different Strategic Resources and have more powerful attributes and capacities.
• They also have a set of shared accessories.

Guardians cannot equip armour.

List of Guardians

Skoros

Skoros One of the five ancient spirits that once protected Auriga, this quick and dangerous Guardian of Dust was attuned to the planet's magical currents. Though it was imprisoned by the Endless, Skoros's chains have faded and it now lives again.

Unit Class Support Unlocked Era III Life 640 Defense 75 Damage 25 Attack 144 Initiative 54 Range 3 Speed 4 Battle Speed 2 Vision 3 Cost 2000 (1200) 20 (5) 20 (5)

Guardian Nature Solitary Range Guardian Aura Mind Control

Image	Name			+	+	+	+	+	Capacities	Lore
	Scepter of Speed	40		40		42				More than just a weapon, this ties the will of the Guardian to its form and its purpose, increasing its speed.
	Scepter of Survival	100	10 6 4	40		62		260		Channeling the Dust within the environment, this weapon adds terrific power to the Guardian's attack.
	Scepter of Supremacy	100	10 6 4	100		42	30			This supreme weapon draws upon the magic of Dust in order to heal, not hurt.

Fotios

Fotios Linked to the primeval force of fire, Fotios is a fast and deadly Guardian that was held in chains by the Endless. Now alive and aware, seeking a cause, it watches across the vast landscapes of Auriga.

Unit Class Ranged Unlocked Era IV Life 500 Defense 18 Damage 100 Attack 100 Initiative 52 Range 3 Speed 4 Battle Speed 2 Vision 3 Cost 2000 (1600) 30 (20)

Guardian Nature Solitary Range Ward Eternal Fire

Image	Name			+	+	+	+	+	Capacities	Lore
	Flame Without Fuel	40				42	50			Inexplicable, this ewapon taps the forces of the Guardian itself to send forth surges of spectacular flame. Infantry units are highly vulnerable.
	Flame Without Hope	100	10 6 4			62	50	260		This is a destructive weapon that both cuts and burns; its flames of chaos incarnate strike with unusual precision.
	Flame Without Mercy	100	10 6 4		70	42	100			An extension of the Guardian, and perhaps the will of the universe, this weapon harnesses the energy of suns to destroy defenses of wood and forest.

Gios

Gios Gios, the Guardian of Earth and as tough and solid as the rock itself, spent millennia in chains forged by the Endless. It has awoken and freed itself, and can once more sense all that moves in or across the planet.

Unit Class Infantry Unlocked Era IV Life 833 Defense 127 Damage 64 Attack 75 Initiative 42 Range 1 Speed 4 Battle Speed 1 Vision 3 Cost 2000 30

Guardian Nature Solitary Fortify Earthquake Crusher Slow 1

Image	Name			+	+	+	+	+	Capacities	Lore
	Club of the World's Root	40			50			180		The Guardian of Earth was created with this weapon as an extension of itself. This simple, brutish weapon uses the Guardian's connection with the soil to improve its senses and perception.
	Club of Dust Strata	100	10 6 4		125	31		180		This epic weapon was formed from the stones that lie at the core of Auriga. Its power is particularly effective against those who strike the Guardian from a distance.
	Club of the Lost Core	100	10 6 4	60	50			450		This ancient weapon is an extension of the strength of Auriga, and wreaks havoc on all nearby troops who attack the Guardian.

Atmos

Atmos Adept at tracking the winds and scents of Auriga, Atmos is one of the ancient spirits that were imprisoned by the Endless. Now that those chains are gone, the tough and dangerous Guardian of Air is free to act as it will.

Unit Class Flying Unlocked Era V Life 820 Defense 140 Damage 60 Attack 160 Initiative 38 Range 1 Speed 6 Battle Speed 3 Vision 4 Cost 2000 (1600) 30 (20)

Guardian Nature Solitary Teleport Blood Rage Winter Wind Fly Urkan Slayer 3 (Added in ELCP)

Image	Name			+	+	+	+	+	Capacities	Lore
	Windchill	40		40	50					The chill blasts of air from this weapon are particularly dangerous to mounted troops.
	Cyclone	100	10 6 4	40	125	31				The blast of wind from the Guardian strikes like a physical force, stunning those who dare to attack it.
	Tempest	100	10 6 4	100	50		30			The powerful blasts from this weapon strike all nearby enemies with the force of Auriga's anger.

Neros

Neros This ancient Guardian, both tough and deadly, was deemed too dangerous by the Endless. Confined for millennia but finally free, it once again listens to the echoes of the present and the past.

Unit Class Cavalry Unlocked Era V Life 900 Defense 48 Damage 100 Attack 100 Initiative 48 Range 1 Speed 6 Battle Speed 4 Vision 3 Cost 2000 30

Guardian Nature Solitary Flood Tsunami Charge Charge 1 River Surfer

Image	Name			+	+	+	+	+	Capacities	Lore
	Vortex of the Waves	40					50	180		Wielding the power of ocean waves, the winds of this whirling vortex are particularly effective against flying units.
	Charybdal Vortex	100	10 6 4	60			75	180		Drawing its strength from the most terrible whirlpool on Auriga, this weapon wreaks havoc in particular on ground units nearby.
	Vortex of the Polar Ice	100	10 6 4		70		50	270		A weapon with the power of the seas and the cold of a glacier, this epic weapon was born in a war of the Lost Gods and serves to protect the Guardian.

Accessories

Guardian accessories are also called Gemstones.

Item	Name	Effects			Lore
	Stone of the Core		60	12	Heavy far beyond its size, the aura of this gem weighs down and slows enemies.
	Crystal of the Loyal Flame		60	12	Stirred by the energies in this fiery gem, your armies' dedication and morale improve.
	Jewel of the Wild Rivers		60	12	Like a powerful stream tumbling over stones, more enemies makes the army more dangerous.
	Shard of the Lost		60	12	An elongated gem that bursts with energy, the gems revitalize armies so they can renew their attacks.
	Jewel of the Azure Wind	-2 Turns on action cooldown		5	This scintillating gem of a deep, royal violet color improves the reflexes and reactions of the Guardian that bears it.

Notes

• Unlike other units, whose industry cost increases with each era, Guardian costs remain fixed, making them very cost-effective in later eras.

Trivia

• Guardians are referred to as "colossi" in the game files.