Aksum

Unique Ability

"Kingdom of Natural Wealth" increases Gold from Resources in Settlements adjacent to Coast tiles (increasing further in the Modern Age), increases Trade Route limits both for Aksum and for civilizations trading with Aksum, and gives Trade Routes to or from Aksumite Settlements unlimited range.

Unique Unit

The Dhow is a unique Naval unit with increased Combat Strength on Coast tiles that can cross other civilizations' borders and carries a set number of charges to establish a naval Trade Route on demand. The Tankwa is a unique Trader unit that can't be pillaged and has +10 Trade Route range, making Aksum's trade network unusually hard for rivals to disrupt.

Unique Infrastructure

The associated Wonder, the Great Stele, grants increased Production and a set amount of Gold per Age whenever any Wonder (including itself) is completed. It must be built on a Flat tile.

How to Play Aksum

• Settle on the coast deliberately — nearly every part of Aksum's kit (the Gold bonus, the Dhow, unlimited trade range) depends on coastal access.
• Prioritize Sailing early to get the Dhow into play and start pressuring coastal rivals before they've built up naval defenses.
• Don't neglect land support for naval assaults — Dhows alone struggle to actually capture a Settlement without ground units backing them up.

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