Age of Empires IV presents a compelling challenge: balancing resource management with timely advancements through the ages. Successfully transitioning to later ages is crucial for victory. This guide will break down the strategies and considerations needed to efficiently advance through the ages in AoE IV, ensuring you dominate the battlefield.
Understanding the Age-Up System in AoE IV
Before diving into strategies, let's clarify the core mechanics. Each civilization in AoE IV has unique strengths and weaknesses, influencing your approach to age advancement. However, the fundamental requirements remain consistent across all civilizations:
- Resource Collection: Accumulating the necessary resources (wood, food, gold, and stone) is the cornerstone of age progression. Each age requires a specific amount of these resources, increasing in quantity with each advancement.
- Building the Town Center: Your Town Center is the engine of your civilization. Upgrading it unlocks access to new technologies and units, making it pivotal to your progression.
- Technological Advancements: Certain technologies might expedite the age-up process or provide crucial advantages in the next age. Prioritize technologies that complement your chosen strategy.
Optimizing Resource Gathering for Age Advancement
Efficient resource management is paramount. Here are some tips to maximize your resource output:
Early Game Strategies:
- Early scouts: Send out scouts early to locate key resources such as berry bushes, boar, sheep, and stone. Prioritize collecting those initially.
- Effective Villager Assignments: Don't waste villagers. Assign them strategically to ensure consistent resource flow. Focus on food early on, then balance your gathering based on the needs of the next age.
- Hunting and Farming: While hunting provides early game boosts, transitioning to farms is crucial for a consistent food supply that supports a larger population needed for later ages.
- Resource location: Build near multiple resources to minimize villager travel time. Don't spread out your villagers too much early on.
Mid-Game Strategies:
- Mining and Lumberjacking: As you progress, focus on establishing efficient mining and lumber camps.
- Trade: Establish trade routes to boost your economy, especially gold.
- Technology: Research technologies that increase resource gathering rates.
Strategic Age-Up Choices: When to Advance
There's no magic number of villagers or resources dictating the perfect time to age up. Several factors influence this crucial decision:
- Map Control: Do you control enough territory to safely build up to the next age? A rushed age-up without sufficient defenses can be catastrophic.
- Opponent's Progress: Keep an eye on your opponent's progress. If they're significantly ahead, you might need to accelerate your age-up to catch up.
- Strategic Goals: What is your game plan? A focus on military dominance may require an earlier age-up compared to a more economically-focused strategy.
Civilization Specific Strategies
Each civilization in AoE IV has unique strengths that can be leveraged for more efficient age advancements. For instance, some civilizations might have bonuses to resource gathering, enabling faster progress. Experiment with different civilizations to discover optimal strategies.
Conclusion: Mastering the Ages in AoE IV
Successfully navigating the ages in AoE IV requires careful planning, efficient resource management, and a keen awareness of your opponent's actions. By implementing the strategies outlined above and adapting your approach based on the specific circumstances of each match, you can master the art of age advancement and dominate your opponents. Good luck, and may your empire prosper!
