How to Play Age of Empires IV: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
Introduction
Greetings, readers! Welcome to the captivating world of Age of Empires IV, the latest installment in the iconic real-time strategy franchise. As you embark on your journey through the annals of history, this comprehensive guide will serve as your trusty companion, providing invaluable insights and strategies to guide you towards victory.
Laying the foundation for your empire takes time and meticulous planning. Begin by establishing a robust economy, constructing resource-generating buildings and securing a steady flow of food, wood, gold, and stone. With resources at your disposal, you can expand your civilization by deploying villagers to construct additional structures and form a formidable army to defend against potential threats.
Mastering the Art of Warfare
Unit Management:
Each civilization in Age of Empires IV offers a diverse roster of units, from basic infantry and archers to siege weapons and cavalry. To succeed in battle, it’s crucial to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each unit type. Infantry excels in close combat, while archers can inflict damage from afar. Cavalry provides swift mobility and charge power, but they are vulnerable to anti-cavalry units.
Formation Strategies:
Employing effective formations is essential for maximizing the combat effectiveness of your armies. Shield-bearing units can form shield walls to protect archers and siege weapons from enemy attacks. Spearmen and pikemen excel at countering cavalry, while cavalry excels at flanking and overwhelming enemy formations.
Siege Warfare:
Siege warfare plays a pivotal role in breaking down enemy fortifications. Deploy siege weapons such as trebuchets and siege towers to bombard buildings and walls. However, remember that siege weapons are slow-moving and vulnerable to enemy fire, so protect them with your army.
Resource Management and Economy
Gathering Resources:
Secure a stable resource supply by assigning villagers to farms, forests, mines, and gold deposits. Ensure you have a balanced resource income to meet the demands of your empire and army.
Trading:
Establish trade routes with other civilizations to exchange surplus resources for those you lack. Trade can also provide access to specialized units or technologies that your civilization may not possess.
Market Manipulation:
The market allows you to buy and sell resources at fluctuating prices. Monitor the market closely to capitalize on opportunities and prevent shortages.
Building and Civilization Management
Town Centers:
Town centers are the heart of your civilization. They produce villagers, train units, and research technologies. Place town centers strategically to optimize resource gathering and defensive capabilities.
Housing:
Villagers require housing to live and work. Construct houses and other housing structures to accommodate a growing population and increase resource production.
Universities and Scholars:
Universities allow you to conduct research and unlock new technologies. Scholars can be assigned to universities to accelerate research and gain access to advanced units and abilities.
Advanced Gameplay Mechanics
Espionage:
Use spies to infiltrate enemy bases, gather intelligence, and sabotage their operations. Espionage can provide valuable insights into enemy defenses and plans.
Relics:
Relics are powerful artifacts that provide bonuses to your civilization or units. Control and defend relics to enhance your economic, military, or religious capabilities.
Diplomacy and Alliances:
Forge alliances with other civilizations to gain support, trade, and even coordinate military efforts. Diplomatic relations can help you navigate the complex political landscape of the Age of Empires IV world.
Table: Age of Empires IV Civilizations
| Civilization | Unique Unit | Special Ability |
|---|---|---|
| English | Longbowmen | Crenelations (defensive bonus) |
| French | Royal Knights | Chivalry (cavalry bonus) |
| Mongols | Keshiks | Drill (increased archer and cavalry attack speed) |
| Chinese | Chu Ko Nus | Great Wall (construct walls faster and cheaper) |
| Delhi Sultanate | War Elephants | Tower of Victory (automatically garrison buildings with archers) |
| Abbasid Dynasty | Mamelukes | House of Wisdom (reduced research time) |
| Rus | Streltsy | Kremlin (produces gold and houses units) |
| Holy Roman Empire | Landsknechts | Regnitz Cathedral (provides relics) |
Conclusion
Readers, as you embark on your Age of Empires IV adventure, remember that mastering the game requires a combination of strategic thinking, resource management, and military prowess. Explore the nuances of each civilization, experiment with different tactics, and adapt to the ever-changing battlefield.
Join the ranks of legendary conquerors and carve your name into the annals of history. Conquer your enemies, expand your empire, and emerge victorious in the realm of Age of Empires IV.
To delve deeper into the world of Age of Empires IV, check out our other articles that explore advanced strategies, civilization matchups, and the latest updates to the game.
FAQ about Age of Empires IV
How do I start a new game?
Click on the "New Game" button in the main menu. You can then select the map, game mode, and difficulty level.
What are the different game modes?
There are three game modes:
- Campaign: Play through a series of historical battles.
- Skirmish: Play against AI opponents on a custom map.
- Multiplayer: Play against other players online or over a LAN.
What are the different civilizations?
There are eight civilizations in Age of Empires IV:
- English: A well-rounded civilization with a strong focus on economy.
- French: A powerful military civilization with strong cavalry units.
- Mongols: A nomadic civilization with fast and agile troops.
- Rus: A defensive civilization with strong fortifications.
- Chinese: A technologically advanced civilization with unique units.
- Holy Roman Empire: A versatile civilization with a strong focus on siege warfare.
- Delhi Sultanate: A civilization with a strong focus on elephants.
- Abbasid Dynasty: A civilization with a strong focus on camels and scholars.
How do I build units?
To build units, you need to construct production buildings. Each civilization has different production buildings that can produce different types of units.
How do I collect resources?
You can collect resources by building resource-generating buildings. These buildings include farms, mills, mining camps, and lumber camps.
How do I attack other players?
To attack other players, you need to build military units. You can then control these units and move them into enemy territory to engage in combat.
How do I win a game?
There are three ways to win a game of Age of Empires IV:
- Conquest: Destroy all enemy landmarks.
- Wonder Victory: Build and complete a Wonder.
- Score Victory: Reach a certain score by collecting resources and killing enemy units.
How can I improve my gameplay?
There are a few ways to improve your gameplay:
- Practice: The more you play, the better you will become.
- Study: Read guides and watch tutorials to learn more about the game’s mechanics and strategies.
- Experiment: Try different civilizations and strategies to find what works best for you.