Real-time strategy games can be intimidating, but Age of Empires IV (AoE4) makes it easier than ever to jump in and enjoy. With a bit of foundational knowledge and practice, you’ll be managing an empire and defeating opponents in no time. This guide will walk you through the essentials to get started confidently.
Victory Conditions in AoE4
You can win a match in AoE4 through several routes:
- Destroy all enemy landmarks.
- Control all sacred sites for a set amount of time.
- Build and defend a wonder until the timer expires.
Most games are won by military dominance, often leading to resignation before the victory condition is formally triggered—similar to resigning in chess when defeat is inevitable.
Economy vs. Military: The Core Balance
Winning in AoE4 depends on managing two critical systems:
- Economy: Gathering resources to support construction and unit production.
- Military: Training and deploying units for offense and defense.
A strong player maintains a balance—developing their economy without falling behind in military strength.
Getting Started: Your Opening Setup
At the beginning of a match, you’ll have:
- A Town Center: Trains villagers and serves as a resource drop-off and defensive hub.
- Several Villagers: Your primary workforce for gathering and building.
- A Scout: Explores the map and collects sheep for food.
Primary Resources:
- Food – Needed for villagers, military units, and advancing ages.
- Wood – Used to build structures and units.
- Gold – Required for technology, advanced units, and age progression.
- Stone – Mostly for fortifications and additional Town Centers.
Resource Sources:
- Food: Gathered from sheep, berries, deer, boars, fish, and farms.
- Tip: Use multiple villagers for hunting boars—they fight back!
- Note: Muslim civilizations cannot harvest boars but receive berry bonuses.
- Wood: Chopped from nearby forests.
- Gold/Stone: Mined from deposits on the map.
Efficient Resource Collection
Build the following drop-off buildings to maximize efficiency:
- Mill – For food.
- Lumber Camp – For wood.
- Mining Camp – For gold and stone.
Some civilizations have unique mechanics, but these are the basics for all.
Mastering Controls and Interface
Efficiency is key in RTS games. Learn the interface:
- Left-click: Select a unit or building.
- Right-click: Issue commands like move, gather, or attack.
- Shift + Right-click: Queue multiple actions.
- Ctrl + (#): Assign control groups for fast unit selection.
- Mini-map: Provides a global overview of units and events.
- Idle Villager Button: Use this to avoid wasting economic potential.
Aging Up: How Progression Works
AoE4 features four ages:
- Dark Age
- Feudal Age
- Castle Age
- Imperial Age
To advance, you must build a landmark, with different options offering varied strategic advantages. Each age unlocks new units, tech, and buildings.
Basic Military Unit Roles
Understanding unit counters is essential:
- Spearmen: Counter cavalry.
- Man-at-Arms: Durable frontline units.
- Archers: Effective against unarmored infantry.
- Crossbowmen: Best against armored units.
- Knights: Fast, strong cavalry but vulnerable to spears.
Siege Units:
- Rams and Trebuchets: Effective against buildings and clustered units.
Early Game Build Order: Building Your Empire
- Keep Villager Production Constant – Never idle your Town Center.
- Start Gathering Food – Prioritize sheep, then move to berries or deer.
- Scout Early – Reveal the map, gather sheep, and locate key resources.
- Villager Allocation Example:
- 6 on food
- 3 on gold
- 3 on wood
- Others based on need and age-up timing.
- Age Up – Once you have enough resources, construct your first landmark to reach Feudal Age.
Keep at least 50% of your population as villagers to maintain a strong economy.
Learning and Improving
- Play Against AI First – Practice mechanics before going multiplayer.
- Experiment with Civilizations – Each offers unique bonuses and strategies.
- Play What You Enjoy – Don’t chase the “meta”; fun leads to improvement.
- Treat Losses as Lessons – Every defeat helps sharpen your decision-making.
Explore the Community
Expand your knowledge and connect with other players:
- Reddit: r/aoe4 offers tips and strategies.
- AoE4World: Great for match stats and build orders.
- YouTube Creators: Learn from experienced players and walkthroughs.
Final Thoughts
Age of Empires IV is a deeply rewarding RTS with layers of depth. As a beginner, your goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Start small, build confidently, and enjoy the journey of becoming a strong empire leader.
See you on the battlefield—and don’t forget to have fun!
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