Age of Empires IV
Age of Empires IV

Understanding Game Phases

Understand the distinct game phases in Age of Empires IV. Adapt your strategies for economic development and military expansion from the Dark Age onwards.

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Understanding Game Phases

Mastering Age of Empires IV requires a deep understanding of its distinct game phases. Each phase presents unique challenges and opportunities, demanding adaptive strategies for economic development, military expansion, and technological advancement. Neglecting any phase can lead to a significant disadvantage, so let's break down the critical aspects of each.

I. The Dark Age (Feudal Age Preparation)

This is your foundational phase, focusing on rapid resource gathering and scouting. Your primary objective is to advance to the Feudal Age as quickly and efficiently as possible while laying the groundwork for your economy.

  • Initial Villager Management:
    • Spawn: You begin with 6 Villagers and a Scout. Immediately task 3 Villagers to gather Food from Sheep (or Boar if available and safe), 2 to chop Wood, and 1 to construct a House near your Town Center.
    • Continuous Production: Your Town Center should be constantly producing Villagers. This is non-negotiable. Every second your Town Center is idle in the Dark Age is a lost opportunity.
  • Scouting:
    • Scout Unit: Use your starting Scout to locate all nearby Sheep, identify potential resource nodes (Stone, Gold), and scout for enemy Town Centers. Knowing your opponent's civilization and early build order can be crucial.
    • Sheep Management: Lure Sheep back to your Town Center for efficient food gathering. Aim to have at least 8-10 Sheep under your Town Center for sustained Villager production.
  • Resource Prioritization:
    • Food: Your absolute top priority. You need 500 Food to advance to the Feudal Age. Ensure a steady stream of Villagers are gathering from Sheep, then Berries, and finally Farms if necessary (though try to avoid early Farms due to their high wood cost).
    • Wood: Essential for Houses and your first Landmark. Aim for around 200 Wood before advancing.
  • Landmark Selection:
    • Strategic Choice: Your first Landmark is critical. For most civilizations, a Landmark that boosts food gathering or provides early military presence is ideal. For example, the English's Council Hall provides early Longbowmen, while the French's School of Cavalry offers early Knights.
  • Actionable Steps:
    1. Queue 3 Villagers on Sheep, 2 on Wood, 1 on House.
    2. Send Scout to find Sheep and explore.
    3. Continuously produce Villagers from Town Center.
    4. Once 500 Food and 200 Wood are accumulated, select your desired Landmark and begin the Feudal Age advance.

II. The Feudal Age (Early Aggression & Economic Expansion)

The Feudal Age is where the game truly begins. You'll start developing your military, expanding your economy beyond basic food and wood, and potentially engaging in early skirmishes.

  • Economic Expansion:
    • Farm Transition: As Sheep and Berries deplete, transition Villagers to Farms. Build a Mill and then Farms around it for efficiency. Aim for 4-6 Farms initially.
    • Mining: Begin mining Gold and Stone. Gold is crucial for military units and upgrades, while Stone is needed for additional Town Centers or defensive structures.
    • Lumber Camps: Establish additional Lumber Camps as your wood needs increase for buildings and units.
  • Military Development:
    • Barracks/Archery Range/Stable: Construct at least one military production building based on your civilization's strengths and your chosen strategy.
    • Unit Composition: Focus on a balanced force. Spearmen counter Cavalry, Archers counter Spearmen, and Cavalry counter Archers. Adapt your unit production based on enemy scouting.
    • Early Pressure: Consider a small raid with a few units (e.g., English Longbowmen, French Knights) to disrupt your opponent's economy or scouting.
  • Defensive Measures:
    • Walls/Outposts: If facing early aggression, consider building Palisade Walls or Outposts to protect key resource nodes or your Town Center.
    • Blacksmith: Research early military upgrades like "Melee Attack" or "Ranged Attack" at the Blacksmith to give your units an edge.
  • Landmark Selection (Imperial Age Preparation):
    • Strategic Choice: Your second Landmark should complement your Feudal Age strategy and set you up for the Imperial Age. For example, the Holy Roman Empire's Aachen Chapel provides a strong economic boost, while the Delhi Sultanate's Dome of the Faith allows for faster Scholar production.
  • Actionable Steps:
    1. Immediately after reaching Feudal, task Villagers to build Farms and begin mining Gold.
    2. Construct your first military production building (Barracks, Archery Range, or Stable).
    3. Produce 3-5 military units for defense or early aggression.
    4. Research "Wheelbarrow" at the Town Center for increased Villager efficiency.
    5. Scout continuously to understand enemy intentions.
    6. Once you have 1200 Food and 600 Gold, select your Imperial Age Landmark and begin the advance.

III. The Castle Age (Mid-Game Dominance & Siege)

The Castle Age introduces powerful new units, technologies, and the ability to construct Castles. This phase is often decisive, as players vie for map control and prepare for late-game engagements.

  • Advanced Economy:
    • Trade: Establish Trade Routes with Neutral Markets or allied Town Centers to generate a steady income of Gold.
    • Multiple Town Centers: Build additional Town Centers (requires Stone) to accelerate Villager production and expand your economic footprint.
    • Resource Upgrades: Research advanced resource gathering upgrades at your Mills, Lumber Camps, and Mining Camps.
  • Powerful Military:
    • Unique Units: Access your civilization's unique units, which often provide significant advantages. For example, the Rus' Streltsy or the Mongols' Mangudai.
    • Siege Workshop: Construct a Siege Workshop and begin producing siege units like Mangonels or Springalds. These are crucial for breaking through enemy defenses.
    • Monasteries/Mosques: Build religious structures to train Monks/Imams for healing, converting enemy units, or collecting relics for powerful bonuses.
  • Map Control:
    • Outposts and Keeps: Utilize Outposts for vision and Keeps (requires Stone) for strong defensive positions and forward bases.
    • Relic Collection: Send Monks/Imams to collect Relics scattered across the map and garrison them in Monasteries/Mosques for a passive Gold income.
  • Landmark Selection (Imperial Age Preparation):
    • Strategic Choice: Your third Landmark should solidify your position and provide a strong late-game advantage. Examples include the Abbasid Dynasty's House of Wisdom upgrades or the Chinese's Imperial Academy for technology research.
  • Actionable Steps:
    1. Immediately after reaching Castle Age, establish trade routes and build a second Town Center.
    2. Construct a Siege Workshop and begin producing siege units.
    3. Research advanced military upgrades at the Blacksmith and University.
    4. Expand your military force with unique units and a balanced composition.
    5. Secure Relics and strategic map locations.
    6. Once you have 2400 Food and 1200 Gold, select your Imperial Age Landmark and begin the advance.

IV. The Imperial Age (Late-Game Warfare & Victory)

The Imperial Age is the pinnacle of technological and military power. This phase is characterized by large-scale battles, advanced siege warfare, and the pursuit of victory conditions.

  • Ultimate Economy:
    • Full Production: Ensure all your Town Centers are constantly producing Villagers until you hit your population cap.
    • Advanced Trade: Maximize your trade routes, potentially establishing multiple Markets for increased Gold flow.
    • Resource Management: Continuously monitor your resource income and spend it efficiently on units, upgrades, and buildings.
  • Dominant Military:
    • Elite Units: Research all available upgrades for your military units, including unique civilization technologies.
    • Advanced Siege: Produce powerful siege units like Bombards and Trebuchets to destroy enemy Keeps and Town Centers.
    • Mass Production: Build multiple military production buildings to quickly reinforce your army during large engagements.
  • Technological Superiority:
    • University: Research all available technologies at the University, focusing on those that boost your military or economy.
    • Unique Technologies: Research your civilization's unique technologies, which often provide game-changing bonuses.
  • Victory Conditions:
    • Conquest: Destroy all enemy Landmarks and Town Centers.
    • Sacred Sites: Control all Sacred Sites on the map for a set period.
    • Wonder: Construct a Wonder and defend it for a set period.
  • Actionable Steps:
    1. Research all remaining economic and military upgrades.
    2. Build a powerful, balanced army with advanced siege units.
    3. Execute a decisive attack on your opponent's key structures or military.
    4. Adapt your strategy based on enemy counter-attacks and remaining resources.
    5. Focus on achieving your chosen victory condition.