Side Quests & Activities

Beyond the main campaign, Age of Empires III offers specific side activities through "Historical Battles" and the "Art of War" trials. Historical Battles, such as the Siege of Algiers or the Battle of New Orleans, challenge you with unique victory conditions and fixed starting resources that deviate from standard build orders. For those seeking to master competitive mechanics, the Art of War trials serve as objective-based challenges that grade your performance on critical skills like "Early Economy" and "Fast Fortress." Completing these with Gold medals provides substantial Home City experience and unlocks unique cosmetic rewards. Additionally, keep an eye out for "Minor Civ" quests found at Trading Posts on specific maps, where completing tasks for local allies can grant you free military units or unique technology upgrades not available in your standard tech tree.