Age of Empires III
Age of Empires III

Mission 1: The Revolution

Guide for Age of Empires III campaign Mission 1 (Act III): 'The Revolution'. Capture supply wagons and defeat the British garrison.

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Act III: Steel

Mission 1: The Revolution

Overview: This mission marks the beginning of Act III: Steel, placing you in command of Amelia Black as she aids the American colonists during the Revolutionary War. The primary focus is on defending a vulnerable settlement from British incursions and then launching a decisive counter-attack to dismantle their local presence. effectively manage their economy, build robust defenses, and assemble a powerful army to achieve victory.

Primary Objectives:

  • Defend the Town from British Attacks
  • Destroy the British Fort

Secondary Objectives:

  • Train 10 Militia
  • Gather 1000 Coin

Phase 1: Initial Defense and Resource Gathering

You begin this mission with control over a small American town, including a Town Center, a few Villagers, and a small military force led by Amelia Black. The British forces will soon launch attacks, so your immediate priority is to establish a stable economy and prepare your defenses.

Starting Units: Amelia Black (Hero), 5 Villagers, 5 Musketeers, 2 Skirmishers.

Initial Steps:

  1. Assign Villagers: Immediately put your existing Villagers to work. Assign 3 to gather food (from berry bushes or hunting nearby animals) and 2 to gather wood. Food is crucial for training more Villagers and military units, while wood is needed for essential buildings.
  2. Train More Villagers: Continuously train Villagers from your Town Center. A strong economy is the backbone of your defense and eventual assault. Aim for at least 15-20 Villagers working on resources as quickly as possible.
  3. Build Essential Buildings:
    • Mill: Construct a Mill near berry bushes or a farmable area to efficiently gather food.
    • Lumber Camp: Build a Lumber Camp near a dense forest for wood collection.
    • Barracks: This is critical for training additional military units to defend your town. Place it strategically, perhaps slightly behind your Town Center or near a chokepoint.
    • Market: Once you have some excess resources, build a Market. This allows you to trade surplus resources for needed ones and research economic upgrades.
  4. Defensive Posture: Position your starting military units, including Amelia, near the most likely British attack routes. The British will typically attack from the north or northeast. Use Amelia's powerful attack and abilities to target key enemy units.

Phase 2: Defending the Town

The British will begin their assaults shortly after the mission starts. These attacks will increase in frequency and strength. Your goal is to repel these attacks while continuing to build your economy and army.

British Attack Waves: Expect waves consisting primarily of British Musketeers and Grenadiers, often supported by Hussars. Later waves may include Cannons.

Defense Strategy:

  • Train a Balanced Army: From your Barracks, prioritize training Musketeers (effective against cavalry and other infantry) and Skirmishers (excellent against heavy infantry and ranged units). A good early ratio is 2 Musketeers for every 1 Skirmisher.
  • Utilize Outposts: As you gather wood, construct Outposts at key entry points to your town. Garrisoning units inside Outposts significantly increases their firepower and provides a safe haven.
  • Amelia's Leadership: Keep Amelia Black actively involved in defending. Her high damage output and ability to heal nearby units (if upgraded) are invaluable. Use her to focus fire on dangerous units like Grenadiers or enemy heroes if they appear.
  • Home City Shipments: Strategically use your Home City shipments. Early shipments of "3 Villagers" or "700 Wood/Food" can jumpstart your economy. During heavy attacks, "7 Musketeers" or "5 Skirmishers" can provide much-needed reinforcements.
  • Secondary Objective - Train 10 Militia: This objective is easily completed by continuously training units from your Barracks. Militia are your basic infantry and will form the core of your early defense.
  • Secondary Objective - Gather 1000 Coin: Establish a Mining Camp on a gold mine as soon as possible. Assign Villagers to gather coin. This resource will be crucial for advanced units and upgrades later.

Phase 3: Preparing for the Assault

Once your town is secure and your economy is thriving, it's time to prepare for the counter-attack against the British Fort. This requires a significant military buildup and strategic planning.

Economic Expansion:

  • Upgrade Resource Gathering: At your Mill, Lumber Camp, and Market, research all available economic upgrades (e.g., "Placer Mining," "Sawmill," "Fertilizer"). These will significantly boost your resource income.
  • Build Farms/Plantations: As berry bushes deplete, transition your food gathering to Farms. For coin, build Plantations if gold mines run out or are too far.
  • Trade Route: If a trade route is available on the map, consider building a Trading Post to gain a steady income of experience and resources.

Military Buildup:

  • Expand Military Buildings: Consider building a second Barracks to speed up unit production. Also, construct a Stable for cavalry units (Hussars are excellent for flanking and raiding) and an Artillery Foundry for Cannons.
  • Research Military Upgrades: At your Barracks, Stable, and Artillery Foundry, research all available unit upgrades for attack, health, and armor. These are vital for your army's effectiveness against the fortified British position.
  • Army Composition for Assault:
    • Musketeers (15-20): Your primary frontline infantry, good against most unit types.
    • Skirmishers (10-15): Essential for taking down enemy ranged units and heavy infantry.
    • Hussars (6-8): Fast cavalry for flanking, raiding, and engaging enemy Cannons.
    • Falconets (2-3): Crucial for destroying enemy defensive structures (Fort, Outposts, walls) and dealing splash damage to grouped enemy units. Protect them at all costs.
  • Home City Shipments: Save some Home City shipments for powerful military reinforcements. "2 Falconets" or "Advanced Artillery" can be game-changers for breaking through the Fort's defenses. Shipments of "Heavy Cavalry" or "Veteran Infantry" can also provide a strong boost.

Phase 4: Destroying the British Fort

The British Fort is a heavily fortified position, likely defended by numerous units, Outposts, and potentially other defensive structures. A direct, uncoordinated assault will result in heavy losses. Plan your attack carefully.

Scouting the Fort:

  • Before committing your main army, use a single fast unit (like a Hussar or Amelia) to cautiously scout the perimeter of the Fort. Identify the location of Outposts, walls, and the main Fort building itself. Note any concentrations of enemy units or Cannons.

Assault Strategy:

  1. Initial Push with Artillery: Lead your assault with your Falconets. Position them safely behind your infantry and use them to systematically destroy enemy Outposts and any visible enemy Cannons. Prioritize structures that pose the biggest threat to your advancing army.
  2. Infantry Advance: Once the initial defenses are softened, advance your Musketeers and Skirmishers. Use Musketeers to engage enemy melee units and absorb damage, while Skirmishers focus fire on enemy ranged units and heavy infantry. Maintain a formation that protects your Skirmishers and Falconets.
  3. Flanking with Cavalry: Use your Hussars to flank the enemy lines. Their primary targets should be enemy Cannons, Skirmishers, or any Villagers that might be exposed outside the Fort. They can also disrupt enemy formations, allowing your infantry to gain an advantage.
  4. Amelia's Role: Keep Amelia Black at the forefront of the attack, but be mindful of her health. Use her to target high-priority units like enemy heroes, Grenadiers, or to quickly dispatch weakened units.
  5. Focus Fire on the Fort: Once the surrounding defenses and enemy units are largely neutralized, direct all your military units, especially your Falconets, to attack the British Fort building itself. The mission concludes once the Fort is destroyed.
  6. Replenish and Reinforce: Be prepared for casualties. Continue to train replacement units from your Barracks and Stable during the assault. Use Home City shipments for emergency reinforcements if needed.

Common Pitfalls & Tips:

  • Neglecting Economy: Don't stop training Villagers or researching economic upgrades once you start building your army. A strong economy allows for continuous unit production and upgrades.
  • Unbalanced Army: Relying too heavily on one unit type will leave you vulnerable. Ensure a good mix of infantry, ranged units, and artillery.
  • Ignoring Home City Shipments: These are powerful tools. Use them wisely for economic boosts or military reinforcements.
  • Poor Cannon Protection: Falconets are powerful but vulnerable. Always keep infantry or cavalry near them to protect them from enemy melee units.
  • Rushing the Fort: Attacking the Fort without sufficient units and artillery will likely lead to defeat. Build up a strong, upgraded army before launching your final assault.
  • Scouting: Always scout ahead. Knowing enemy positions and defenses allows you to plan a more effective attack.