Age of Empires 4 (AoE4) is a real-time strategy game that has captivated both veterans of the series and newcomers alike. Released in October 2021, it continues the legacy of its predecessors while introducing new mechanics, civilizations, and gameplay features. If you're just starting your journey in this dynamic world, this guide will provide you with essential tips and strategies to build your empire, manage resources, and dominate your enemies.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into advanced strategies, it’s crucial to grasp the basic mechanics of Age of Empires 4. The game revolves around several core components:
1. Civilizations
Each civilization in AoE4 comes with unique strengths, weaknesses, and technologies. Here are some noteworthy civilizations to consider as a beginner:
- English: Strong defensive capabilities, excellent archers, and farms that generate food without requiring villagers.
- French: Fast cavalry units, strong economy due to their unique farming system, and powerful knights.
- Holy Roman Empire: Focused on heavy infantry and strong economic bonuses from their landmarks.
- Mongols: Highly mobile, with unique abilities to move their base and gather resources quickly.
Selecting a civilization that aligns with your preferred playstyle can significantly influence your success in the game.
2. Resources
In AoE4, resources are critical for building your empire. The primary resources include:
- Food: Gathered from farms, hunting animals, and fishing. Essential for training units and advancing ages.
- Wood: Acquired by chopping down trees. Used for building structures and creating units.
- Gold: Mined from gold mines or collected through trade. Crucial for advanced units and technologies.
- Stone: Mined from stone deposits. Important for constructing buildings and fortifications.
Understanding how to efficiently gather and manage these resources is essential for a strong economy.
Starting Your Game
The initial phase of the game is critical. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:
1. Gathering Resources
As soon as the game begins, focus on gathering resources. Here's a step-by-step approach:
- Create Villagers: Use your Town Center to produce new villagers continuously.
- Assign Tasks: Distribute your villagers wisely:
- 4-5 on food (hunting or gathering berries)
- 2-3 on wood
- 1-2 on gold (as soon as you have enough food)
- Explore the Map: Send a scout to find resources, enemy positions, and potential expansion sites.
2. Building Your Economy
As you gather resources, it's crucial to build your economy effectively:
- Construct Additional Town Centers: As soon as you can, build more Town Centers to increase villager production.
- Upgrade Technologies: Invest in economic upgrades that improve resource gathering efficiency.
- Balance Resource Allocation: Make sure to adjust your villagers' tasks based on your immediate needs.
Advancing Ages
Advancing to the next age unlocks new technologies, units, and buildings that can enhance your capabilities. Here’s how to do it effectively:
1. Age Advancement Requirements
To advance to the next age, you usually need:
- A certain number of resources (food, wood, etc.)
- Specific buildings constructed (like a Barracks or a Stable)
2. Timing Your Advancement
Knowing when to advance is essential:
- Timing: Aim to advance quickly while maintaining a solid economy. A good benchmark is advancing to the Feudal Age within the first 5-10 minutes.
- Defensive Preparations: Before advancing, ensure you have defensive structures in place, as opponents may attack during this vulnerable phase.
Military Strategy
Once you have a stable economy and have advanced ages, it's time to focus on military tactics.
1. Unit Composition
A balanced army is crucial for success. Here’s a typical composition strategy:
- Infantry: Useful for holding ground and absorbing damage.
- Archers: Effective against infantry and can deal damage from a distance.
- Cavalry: Great for raiding enemy resources and flanking attacks.
- Siege Weapons: Essential for taking down enemy buildings and fortifications.
2. Scouting and Map Control
- Use Scouts: Keep scouting your enemies to anticipate their moves and assess their unit composition.
- Control Key Areas: Secure important points on the map, such as resource locations, choke points, and strategic high ground.
Defensive Tactics
Not every game will be a straightforward offensive strategy. Here are tips for defending your empire:
1. Building Placement
- Walls and Gates: Construct walls to delay enemy advances and funnel them into kill zones.
- Towers: Build defensive towers to protect key resource areas and your Town Center.
2. Unit Positioning
- Defensive Units: Position archers and siege equipment behind walls or in elevated areas for maximum effect.
- Patrol Routes: Set patrol routes for your units to respond quickly to enemy movements.
Late Game Strategies
As the game progresses, strategies will shift. Here are tips for dominating in the late game:
1. Technology Advancements
- Upgrade Units: Invest in upgrades for your units to enhance their effectiveness in battle.
- Research Economic Upgrades: Improve your economy further to sustain a larger army.
2. Map Control and Expansion
- Expand Wisely: Take control of more resources by establishing new Town Centers.
- Aggressive Tactics: Apply pressure on your opponent by attacking their weak points and disrupting their economy.
Multiplayer and Team Play
If you’re venturing into multiplayer, teamwork can be a key factor in victory.
1. Communication and Coordination
- Coordinate Attacks: Work with teammates to launch synchronized attacks on enemies.
- Resource Sharing: Share resources when necessary to help each other build stronger economies.
2. Understanding Roles
- Specialize: Each player can focus on specific roles, such as economy management, military production, or scouting.
Final Tips for New Players
- Practice: The more you play, the better you will understand the mechanics and strategies of the game.
- Watch Replays: Learn from your games by watching replays to identify mistakes and improve.
- Learn from Others: Engage with the community through forums, videos, and streams to gain insights and strategies from experienced players.
In conclusion, Age of Empires 4 offers a rich and complex gameplay experience. By understanding the fundamentals, managing your economy, and employing effective strategies, you'll be well on your way to building a powerful empire. Remember, practice and patience are key, so embrace the learning process and enjoy your journey in AoE4!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best civilizations for beginners in Age of Empires 4?
The English and French civilizations are great for beginners. The English have strong archers and defensive structures, while the French excel in cavalry and have easier resource gathering.
What is the importance of economy management in Age of Empires 4?
Economy management is crucial as it determines your ability to gather resources, create units, and build structures. Focus on balancing your food, wood, gold, and stone collection to maintain a strong economy.
How can beginners effectively scout the map in Age of Empires 4?
Use your initial scout unit to explore the surrounding area early in the game. Look for resources, enemy positions, and potential choke points. Scouting helps you make informed decisions about your strategy.
What strategies should beginners focus on during the early game?
Focus on gathering resources efficiently, building a strong economy, and creating a balanced mix of units. Prioritize advancing to the next age quickly to unlock new technologies and units.
How do I advance to the next age in Age of Empires 4?
To advance to the next age, you need to gather enough resources and construct a specific building, such as a Feudal Age with a Barracks or a Castle Age with a Stone or Wood structure, depending on your civilization.
What role do military units play in Age of Empires 4?
Military units are essential for both defense and offense. They protect your economy from enemy attacks and allow you to pressure opponents, control map resources, and eventually lead to victory.
How can I improve my unit control in Age of Empires 4?
Practice using hotkeys to select and manage groups of units efficiently. Learn to use formations and utilize the terrain to your advantage. Regular practice in skirmishes or against AI can help improve your control.
