Age of Empires III
Age of Empires III

Campaign Walkthrough: Ice

Age of Empires III Campaign Walkthrough: Ice. Learn how to defend your vulnerable colony from British attacks, build a strong perimeter, and train Musketeers a.

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Campaign Walkthrough: Ice

3.2.1 DEFEND THE COLONY

This mission starts with a small, vulnerable colony. Your primary objective is to defend it from successive waves of British attacks. Focus on establishing a strong defensive perimeter early on.

  • Initial Setup: Immediately build a Barracks and a Stable. Train a mix of Musketeers and Hussars. Position your starting units, particularly your Hero unit, near the main approach points to the colony.
  • Resource Management: Prioritize gathering Wood and Food. Send villagers to chop trees and hunt animals. Build a Mill near berry bushes and a Plantation for sustained coin income as soon as possible.
  • Defensive Structures: Construct Walls around your Town Center and key production buildings. Place Watch Towers at strategic choke points, especially where enemy units are likely to funnel. Upgrade these towers as resources allow.
  • First Attack Wave: Expect the first British attack to come from the north. It will likely consist of a few Redcoats and some light cavalry. Use your Musketeers to counter the Redcoats and Hussars to flank their cavalry.
  • Home City Shipments: Utilize your Home City shipments effectively. Early shipments should focus on resource crates (Wood and Food) to boost your economy, or military units to reinforce your defenses. Consider sending a shipment of Advanced Market or Arsenal upgrades if you have them available.
  • Counter-Attacks (Optional but Recommended): While the primary goal is defense, once you have a stable economy and a decent army, consider launching small counter-attacks on nearby British outposts to disrupt their resource gathering and slow down their attack waves. Look for small mining camps or logging camps outside your immediate colony area.

3.2.2 STRANGE ALLIANCES

In this mission, you'll need to forge alliances with Native American tribes to gain their support against the British. This involves completing specific tasks for each tribe.

  • Locate Tribes: Your first step is to explore the map and locate the various Native American settlements. They are typically marked on the minimap once discovered.
  • Iroquois Alliance: The Iroquois often require you to clear out a nearby British encampment or defeat a specific British patrol. Build a small force of Musketeers and Cannons (if available) to tackle this objective. The Iroquois settlement is usually found to the west or northwest of your starting position.
  • Sioux Alliance: The Sioux might ask you to gather a certain amount of a specific resource, such as Furs (obtained by hunting animals) or Gold (from mines). Ensure you have enough villagers assigned to these tasks. The Sioux settlement is often located in the southern part of the map.
  • Cree Alliance: The Cree may require you to escort a trade caravan or protect a specific resource node from British attacks. Prepare a mobile force, including cavalry, for this task. The Cree settlement is typically in the eastern regions.
  • Native American Units: Once allied, you can train unique Native American units from their settlements. These units often have specific strengths that can complement your existing army. For example, Iroquois Tomahawks are excellent against infantry, and Sioux Dog Soldiers are fast and powerful cavalry.
  • British Interference: Expect the British to attempt to disrupt your alliance efforts. They will send patrols to attack your villagers or interfere with your objectives. Keep a small defensive force near your resource gathering operations and along the routes to Native settlements.

3.2.3 THE RESCUE

This mission focuses on rescuing captured villagers and important figures from British captivity. Stealth and precision are key, though direct confrontation may be unavoidable.

  • Hero-Centric Start: You will likely begin with your Hero unit and a small group of specialized units, possibly including a few Rangers or Light Cavalry.
  • Scouting Ahead: Use your Hero's scout ability or a fast cavalry unit to scout the British-controlled areas. Identify guard patrols, watchtowers, and the locations of the prisoners.
  • Prisoner Locations: The prisoners are usually held in small British outposts or fortified camps. There are typically multiple groups of prisoners to rescue. Look for them in the central and northern parts of the map.
  • Stealth Approach: Whenever possible, try to avoid direct engagement with large British forces. Use terrain to your advantage, moving through forests and along riverbanks to bypass patrols.
  • Eliminate Guards: When you reach a prisoner location, carefully eliminate the guards. Focus fire on ranged units first, then melee. Your Hero unit is particularly effective against individual guards.
  • Escort the Rescued: Once prisoners are freed, they will often follow your Hero. Escort them back to your starting base or a designated safe zone. Be prepared for British reinforcements to pursue you.
  • Reinforcements: As you rescue more prisoners, you may receive small reinforcements from your Home City or discover additional allied units on the map. Use these to bolster your rescue team.
  • Secondary Objectives: There might be secondary objectives, such as destroying a specific British supply depot or disabling a cannon emplacement, which can make the rescue easier. Prioritize these if they are within reasonable reach.

3.2.4 THE SEVEN YEARS' WAR

This mission throws you into the thick of the Seven Years' War, requiring you to defeat multiple British strongholds and secure strategic locations.

  • Establish a Strong Economy: This is a longer mission, so a robust economy is paramount. Build multiple Mills, Plantations, and Lumber Camps. Research all economic upgrades at your Town Center, Market, and Mill.
  • Military Composition: You'll need a balanced army. Musketeers and Skirmishers form your core infantry. Hussars or Dragoons are essential for flanking and dealing with enemy artillery. Cannons (especially Falconets and Heavy Cannons) are crucial for destroying enemy buildings and large unit formations.
  • British Fortifications: The British will have several fortified positions, including Forts, Blockhouses, and numerous Watch Towers. These will require sustained cannon fire to breach.
  • Target Priority: Prioritize destroying British production buildings (Barracks, Stables, Artillery Foundries) to cripple their ability to reinforce. Then, focus on their Town Centers and Forts.
  • Strategic Locations: There will be key strategic locations on the map, such as resource-rich areas or choke points, that the British will attempt to control. Secure these with outposts and a small garrison.
  • Home City Shipments: Use Home City shipments to gain an advantage. Military unit shipments can quickly bolster your forces, while resource shipments can fund your war effort. Consider sending shipments that unlock advanced unit types or powerful upgrades.
  • Naval Engagements (if applicable): If the map features water, the British may have a naval presence. Build a Dock and train War Ships to counter their vessels and protect your trade routes. Frigates are excellent all-around warships.
  • Multiple Fronts: Be prepared to fight on multiple fronts. The British may attack your base while you are assaulting one of their strongholds. Keep a defensive force at home or build strong static defenses.