Technologies & Upgrades Guide

Welcome, aspiring emperors and strategists! In Age of Empires IV, the concept of "Items & Equipment" deviates significantly from traditional RPGs. You won't find lootable swords or armor drops here. Instead, your army's effectiveness is profoundly shaped by a sophisticated network of Technologies and Upgrades. These are permanent enhancements, researched at various buildings, that fundamentally alter unit statistics, unlock new abilities, or improve your economy. Think of them as your civilization's evolving "loadout" – crucial for adapting to battlefield challenges and securing victory.

Mastering this system is paramount. A well-timed upgrade can turn the tide of battle, while neglecting key technologies can leave your forces vulnerable and outmatched. This guide will break down the various types of upgrades, where to find them, and strategic considerations for their implementation.

Understanding the Upgrade Ecosystem

Technologies and upgrades in Age of Empires IV can be broadly categorized by their scope and acquisition method:

• Global Technologies: These are researched at central technology buildings like the Blacksmith and University. They provide civilization-wide stat increases (e.g., armor, damage, health) and apply to all relevant units across your entire empire. These are foundational and should be prioritized early.
• Unit-Specific Upgrades: Found at unit-producing buildings such as the Barracks, Archery Range, Stable, and Siege Workshop. These enhancements often act as specialized "equipment" for a particular unit class, improving their combat effectiveness or granting unique abilities. Examples include Incendiary Arrows for Archers or Elite unit veterancy transformations.
• Economic & Utility Upgrades: Researched at buildings like the Mill, Lumber Camp, Mining Camp, and Dock. These focus on improving resource gathering rates, increasing carrying capacity, or enhancing naval capabilities. Crucial for maintaining a strong economy to fund your military.
• Civ-Unique Abilities & Landmark Technologies: Many civilizations boast unique upgrades or abilities tied to their specific buildings or Age-up Landmarks. These often define a civilization's playstyle and offer powerful strategic advantages. Examples include the English Network of Castles for attack speed bonuses or the Mongol Yam Network for movement speed.

Key Upgrade Buildings and Their Offerings

To help you navigate the vast array of available technologies, here's a detailed breakdown of the primary buildings where you'll be researching your civilization's advancements:

The Blacksmith: Forging Your Army's Edge

The Blacksmith is one of the earliest and most vital technology buildings. It focuses on improving the offensive and defensive capabilities of your military units. Prioritizing these upgrades is crucial for early and mid-game dominance.

• Melee Attack Upgrades:
  • Iron Undermesh (Feudal Age): +1 Melee Attack for all Melee Infantry and Cavalry.
  • Steel Plating (Castle Age): +1 Melee Attack for all Melee Infantry and Cavalry.
  • Damascus Steel (Imperial Age): +1 Melee Attack for all Melee Infantry and Cavalry.
• Ranged Attack Upgrades:
  • Bodkin Arrows (Feudal Age): +1 Ranged Attack for all Ranged Infantry and Ships.
  • Bracer (Castle Age): +1 Ranged Attack for all Ranged Infantry and Ships.
  • Chemistry (Imperial Age): +1 Ranged Attack for all Ranged Infantry and Ships, and unlocks Bombards.
• Melee Armor Upgrades:
  • Woven Textiles (Feudal Age): +1 Melee Armor for all Melee Infantry and Cavalry.
  • Chain Mail (Castle Age): +1 Melee Armor for all Melee Infantry and Cavalry.
  • Plate Armor (Imperial Age): +1 Melee Armor for all Melee Infantry and Cavalry.
• Ranged Armor Upgrades:
  • Padded Armor (Feudal Age): +1 Ranged Armor for all Melee Infantry and Cavalry.
  • Scale Mail (Castle Age): +1 Ranged Armor for all Melee Infantry and Cavalry.
  • Splint Mail (Imperial Age): +1 Ranged Armor for all Melee Infantry and Cavalry.

Strategy Tip: Early Blacksmith upgrades are incredibly cost-effective. Even a single armor or damage upgrade can significantly swing early skirmishes in your favor. Pay attention to your opponent's unit composition and prioritize the relevant upgrades.

The University: Unlocking Advanced Warfare

Available from the Castle Age, the University is where you research powerful late-game technologies that can provide significant advantages in combat, economy, and siege warfare. These upgrades are often expensive but offer substantial returns.

• Military Technologies:
  • Ballistics (Castle Age): Improves projectile accuracy against moving targets. Essential for archer-heavy armies.
  • Siege Engineering (Castle Age): Allows construction of Mangonels and Springalds.
  • Bombard (Imperial Age): Unlocks the powerful Bombard siege unit (requires Chemistry from Blacksmith).
  • Biology (Imperial Age): Increases the health of all Cavalry units by a significant percentage.
  • Murder Holes (Imperial Age): Allows Keeps and Town Centers to attack units directly beneath their walls.
• Economic Technologies:
  • Wheelbarrow (Feudal Age - often available at Town Center or Mill for some civs): Increases Villager carry capacity and movement speed. (While often not strictly a University tech, its impact is similar to other foundational upgrades).
  • Banking (Imperial Age): Increases resource generation from Traders.

Strategy Tip: University technologies are often game-changers. Ballistics is a must-have for ranged armies, while Biology can make your cavalry nearly unstoppable. Don't neglect these late-game power spikes.

Unit Production Buildings: Specialized Enhancements

Each unit production building offers upgrades specific to the units it trains. These are crucial for tailoring your army to specific roles and countering enemy compositions.

Barracks (Infantry)

• Veteran/Elite Upgrades: Transforms basic units into stronger, more resilient versions (e.g., Veteran Spearmen, Elite Men-at-Arms).
• Specific Technologies:
  • Scholasticism (Holy Roman Empire): Increases the health of all infantry.
  • Incendiary Arrows (English Longbowmen): Adds bonus damage to Longbowmen.

Archery Range (Ranged Infantry)

• Veteran/Elite Upgrades: Improves ranged units.
• Specific Technologies:
  • Crossbowman (Castle Age): Unlocks the Crossbowman unit.
  • Arbalest (Imperial Age): Upgrades Crossbowmen to Arbalests.
  • Steeled Sinews (Generic): Increases Archer damage.

Stable (Cavalry)

• Veteran/Elite Upgrades: Enhances cavalry units.
• Specific Technologies:
  • Lancer (Castle Age): Unlocks the Lancer unit.
  • Knight (Castle Age): Unlocks the Knight unit.
  • Heavy Lancer (Imperial Age): Upgrades Lancers.
  • Chivalry (French): Heals Knights out of combat.

Siege Workshop (Siege Units)

• Siege Crew Training (Castle Age): Increases siege unit health.
• Roller Shutters (Imperial Age): Increases siege unit movement speed.

Economic Buildings: Fueling Your Empire

These upgrades are often overlooked but are fundamental to maintaining a robust economy capable of supporting a large army and rapid technological advancement.

Mill (Food)

• Horticulture (Feudal Age): Increases farm gathering rate.
• Fertilization (Castle Age): Further increases farm gathering rate.
• Plow (Imperial Age): Maximizes farm gathering rate.

Lumber Camp (Wood)

• Double-Bit Axe (Feudal Age): Increases wood gathering rate.
• Bow Saw (Castle Age): Further increases wood gathering rate.
• Two-Man Saw (Imperial Age): Maximizes wood gathering rate.

Mining Camp (Gold/Stone)

• Mining Efficiency (Feudal Age): Increases gold/stone gathering rate.
• Gold Shaft Mining (Castle Age): Further increases gold gathering rate.
• Stone Arch Mining (Castle Age): Further increases stone gathering rate.

Dock (Naval)

• Naval Armor/Attack Upgrades: Similar to Blacksmith, but for ships.
• Shipwright (Feudal Age): Reduces ship build time.
• Explosive Charges (Castle Age): Increases demolition ship damage.

Common Pitfalls and Strategic Considerations

• Neglecting Economy Upgrades: It's tempting to focus solely on military, but a strong economy fuels everything. Prioritize early economic upgrades like Wheelbarrow, Double-Bit Axe, and Mining Efficiency to ensure a steady resource flow.
• Over-Upgrading: Don't research every single upgrade. Focus on those that synergize with your chosen army composition and counter your opponent's strategy. For example, if your opponent is not building cavalry, Biology might be less impactful than other options.
• Timing is Everything: Some upgrades are crucial at specific stages of the game. Getting Siege Engineering too late can leave you unable to push fortified positions, while getting it too early might drain resources you need for units.
• Civilization Uniques: Always be aware of your civilization's unique technologies and Landmark bonuses. These are often powerful and can define your entire strategy. For instance, the Abbasid Dynasty's Golden Age bonuses or the Delhi Sultanate's free research can dramatically alter upgrade priorities.
• Scouting is Key: Knowing what units and technologies your opponent is researching allows you to make informed decisions about your own upgrade path. If they are massing archers, prioritize ranged armor. If they are going for heavy cavalry, invest in spearmen upgrades and anti-cavalry technologies.

By understanding and strategically utilizing the vast array of technologies and upgrades available in Age of Empires IV, you will equip your civilization for success and dominate the battlefield. Remember, knowledge is power, and a well-researched army is an unstoppable force!