Campaign Walkthrough: The Asian Dynasties

Campaign Walkthrough: The Asian Dynasties

Welcome, intrepid strategists, to our comprehensive guide for the "Asian Dynasties" campaign in Age of Empires III! This expansion introduces three new civilizations – the Japanese, Chinese, and Indians – each with unique units, technologies, and Home City shipments. Mastering these campaigns requires a blend of aggressive expansion, careful resource management, and strategic unit composition. This walkthrough will provide detailed, actionable steps to guide you through each mission, ensuring victory even on the highest difficulties.

General Campaign Strategies for The Asian Dynasties

• Home City Shipments: Unlike the base game, Asian civilizations utilize a "Consulate" system. Carefully choose your ally (e.g., British for economic boosts, French for military units) based on the mission's objectives and your current needs. research Consulate technologies!
• Wonder Victory: Many missions in The Asian Dynasties campaigns revolve around building and defending a Wonder. Prioritize gathering resources for its construction and ensure a strong defensive perimeter once it's underway.
• Monk/Disciple Units: These units are crucial for gathering relics, converting enemy units, and often possess powerful healing abilities. Utilize them effectively.
• Trade Routes: Establishing and defending trade routes (either by building Trading Posts or controlling existing ones) is a vital source of experience and resources.
• Scouting: Early and continuous scouting is paramount. Knowing enemy positions, resource locations, and potential attack routes will give you a significant advantage.

Japanese Campaign: The Samurai's Path

Mission 1: The First Shogun

Objective: Establish a thriving settlement and defeat the local bandits.

This introductory mission focuses on basic economic and military management. You start with a small town center, a few villagers, and some military units.

1. Initial Setup: Immediately assign your starting villagers to gather food from Berry Bushes and wood from nearby forests. Train additional villagers from your Town Center.
2. Resource Gathering: Prioritize establishing a steady flow of food and wood. Once you have enough, start gathering coin from nearby gold mines.
3. Scouting: Send your starting military units (likely Samurai and Ashigaru Musketeers) to scout the immediate area. You'll discover small bandit encampments marked on your mini-map.
4. Building Up: Construct a Barracks and a Market. Research basic economic upgrades at the Market (e.g., "Hunting Dogs" for faster food gathering).
5. First Attack: Once you have a small force of 5-7 Samurai and 8-10 Ashigaru Musketeers, attack the closest bandit camp. Focus fire on enemy ranged units first.
6. Expanding: After clearing the first camp, expand your resource gathering to the newly secured areas. Consider building a second Town Center if resources allow for faster villager production.
7. Final Push: Continue training units and upgrading your military at the Barracks. Once you have a formidable army (around 15-20 military units), systematically clear out the remaining bandit camps. Look for the main bandit stronghold, often fortified with Palisades and a few towers. Use your Samurai to tank damage while your Ashigaru Musketeers deal ranged damage.

Mission 2: The Unification of Japan

Objective: Conquer rival Daimyos and unify Japan under your banner. Build and defend a Wonder.

This mission introduces the concept of Wonder victory and requires more strategic military engagements.

1. Early Game & Economy: Start by establishing a robust economy. Focus on food and wood initially to build up your villager count and construct essential buildings like a Barracks, Stable, and Artillery Foundry.
2. Home City Shipments: Utilize your Home City shipments to bolster your economy (e.g., "Villagers" or "Resource Crates") or military (e.g., "Samurai" or "Ashigaru Musketeers"). Consider allying with the British at the Consulate for economic benefits.
3. First Daimyo Encounter: You'll encounter your first rival Daimyo relatively early. They will likely send small raiding parties. Build a few Watch Towers near your resource gathering points for early defense.
4. Building the Wonder: Once your economy is stable and you have a decent military force (around 10-12 Samurai, 15-20 Ashigaru Musketeers, and 2-3 Yabusame), begin constructing your Wonder. Choose a central, defensible location within your territory.
5. Defensive Perimeter: As the Wonder construction progresses, enemy Daimyos will become more aggressive. Fortify the area around your Wonder with walls, additional Watch Towers, and a strong garrison of units. Keep a few Mortars or Falconets on hand to deal with enemy siege units.
6. Offensive Strikes: While defending your Wonder, you'll need to proactively attack and weaken the rival Daimyos. Target their Town Centers and Barracks to cripple their unit production. Use your Yabusame to harass enemy villagers and your Samurai to break through their defenses.
7. Controlling Trade Routes: There will be several Trade Route nodes on the map. Build Trading Posts on these to gain a steady stream of experience and resources. Defend them vigorously as they will be prime targets for enemy raids.
8. Final Defense: The last few minutes of the Wonder countdown will be the most intense. Expect large-scale attacks from all remaining Daimyos. Ensure you have a strong reserve of units and resources for continuous training. Use your Monks to heal your units and convert any powerful enemy units that get too close.

Chinese Campaign: The Dragon's Ascent

Mission 1: The Great Wall

Objective: Construct sections of the Great Wall and defend against Mongol invaders.

This mission emphasizes defensive strategy and efficient resource management under pressure.

1. Initial Setup & Economy: You start with a small base and several villagers. Immediately assign villagers to food and wood. Train additional villagers from your Town Center.
2. Wall Construction: The primary objective is to build sections of the Great Wall at designated points. Assign a dedicated group of villagers (5-7) to wall construction. Prioritize sections that are most vulnerable to early Mongol attacks.
3. Military Production: Build a Barracks and a War Academy. Train a mix of Chu Ko Nu (ranged infantry) and Changdao Swordsmen (melee infantry). Consider adding some Steppe Riders from the War Academy for quick defense and raiding.
4. Defensive Towers: Construct Watch Towers along your wall sections, especially at choke points and near resource gathering areas. Upgrade their attack and health at the Town Center.
5. Mongol Raids: The Mongols will launch frequent, increasingly powerful raids. Pay attention to the mini-map for incoming attacks. Use your Chu Ko Nu to focus fire on enemy cavalry and your Changdao Swordsmen to engage their melee units.
6. Home City Shipments: Use your Home City shipments for military reinforcements (e.g., "Chu Ko Nu" or "Changdao Swordsmen") or defensive structures (e.g., "Wall Sections" or "Fortifications"). Consider allying with the Russians at the Consulate for powerful cavalry units.
7. Resource Management: Keep a close eye on your wood and coin reserves, as wall construction and unit training are resource-intensive. Establish Trading Posts on any available trade routes for extra income.
8. Counter-Attacks (Optional but Recommended): While primarily defensive, consider launching small counter-attacks against nearby Mongol encampments if you have a surplus of units. Destroying their production buildings will reduce the frequency and intensity of their raids.
9. Final Stand: As the last sections of the Great Wall are completed, the Mongols will unleash their strongest attacks. Ensure all wall sections are fully garrisoned with units and supported by Watch Towers. Use your siege units (if you've built any) to break up large enemy formations.

Indian Campaign: The Lion and the Tiger

Mission 1: The Rise of the Marathas

Objective: Establish a strong economy, train a powerful army, and defeat rival Indian factions.

This mission introduces the unique Indian civilization mechanics and requires a balance of economic growth and military aggression.

1. Initial Setup & Economy: Begin by assigning your starting villagers to gather food from Berry Bushes and wood. Train additional villagers from your Town Center. The Indian civilization has unique "Sacred Cows" that generate experience and can be fattened at a Livestock Pen. Prioritize building a Livestock Pen early.
2. Resource Gathering: Establish a steady flow of all three resources: food, wood, and coin. Build a Market and research economic upgrades.
3. Military Production: Construct a Barracks and a Stable. Train a mix of Sepoy (musketeers) and Sowar (cavalry). The Sowar are excellent for hit-and-run tactics and raiding enemy villagers.
4. Home City Shipments: Utilize your Home City shipments to gain an advantage. "Villagers" or "Resource Crates" are good early choices. Later, consider "Sepoy" or "Sowar" shipments to reinforce your army. Consider allying with the French at the Consulate for powerful military units.
5. Scouting & Expansion: Send out a few Sowar to scout the map. You'll discover rival Indian factions with their own bases and resource operations. Identify their weaknesses and resource locations.
6. First Engagements: Rival factions will likely send small raiding parties. Defend your base with your Sepoy and Sowar. Build a few Watch Towers at key defensive points.
7. Elephant Units: The Indian civilization has powerful War Elephants and Howdah Elephants. As your economy grows, build an Elephant Stable and begin training these units. War Elephants are excellent for tanking damage and breaking through enemy lines, while Howdah Elephants provide powerful ranged support.
8. Aggressive Expansion: Once you have a sizable army (around 10-12 Sepoy, 8-10 Sowar, and 2-3 Elephant units), begin attacking the weakest rival faction. Focus on destroying their Town Center and Barracks to cripple their ability to produce units.
9. Controlling Trade Routes: Secure and defend any Trade Route nodes on the map by building Trading Posts. These provide valuable experience and resources, which are crucial for maintaining your elephant army.
10. Systematic Conquest: Continue to build up your army and systematically defeat the remaining rival factions. Use your Elephant units to lead the charge, supported by your Sepoy and Sowar. Remember to use your Monks to heal your units during and after battles.