Technology Tree

Mastering the Technology Tree is paramount to success in Age of Empires IV. Each civilization boasts a unique set of advancements, but understanding the core principles and strategic timings for research is universal. This detailed guide will walk you through the essential technologies, their locations, and optimal research paths to dominate your opponents.

General Technology Principles

Technologies are researched in various buildings, becoming available as you advance through the Ages. Prioritizing technologies based on your current strategy and your opponent's actions is key. Don't research everything; focus on what gives you the most immediate advantage.

Research Locations

• Town Center: Houses Age-up advancements and some economic upgrades.
• Blacksmith: Crucial for military unit upgrades (armor and attack).
• University: Advanced economic and military technologies, often available from the Castle Age onwards.
• Monastery: Religious technologies, including healing and conversion upgrades.
• Dock: Naval unit upgrades and economic improvements for water maps.
• Lumber Camp, Mining Camp, Mill: Resource gathering efficiency upgrades.

Early Game (Dark Age & Feudal Age)

Your initial technological focus should be on economic efficiency and basic military strength to secure resources and defend against early aggression.

Dark Age Priorities (Age I)

Upon starting, your primary goal is to gather resources efficiently and prepare for the Feudal Age.

• Wheelbarrow (Town Center): This is a critical early economic upgrade. Researching Wheelbarrow significantly increases Villager carry capacity and movement speed, boosting all resource gathering rates. Aim to research this as soon as you have a steady food income and are approaching the Feudal Age.
• Loom (Town Center): While less impactful on resource gathering, Loom provides a crucial +10 health bonus to all Villagers. This can be a game-changer against early raids or wild animal attacks. Research it if you anticipate early aggression or are struggling with resource collection near dangerous wildlife.

Feudal Age Priorities (Age II)

Once in the Feudal Age, your options expand significantly. Balance economic growth with foundational military upgrades.

Economic Upgrades

• Double-Bit Axe (Lumber Camp): Increases wood gathering rate. Essential for any wood-intensive strategy, including building more structures or producing archers.
• Horse Collar (Mill): Boosts farm food gathering rate. Critical for sustaining a growing population and military production.
• Stone Mining (Mining Camp): Increases stone gathering rate. Important for defensive structures and later Age-ups.
• Gold Mining (Mining Camp): Increases gold gathering rate. Gold is vital for advanced units and technologies.

Military Upgrades (Blacksmith)

The Blacksmith becomes active in the Feudal Age, offering crucial combat improvements.

• Melee Attack Upgrades (Blacksmith):
  • Forging: +1 Melee Attack for all melee units. Prioritize this if you're planning early aggression with Spearmen or Men-at-Arms.
• Ranged Attack Upgrades (Blacksmith):
  • Fletching: +1 Ranged Attack for all ranged units (Archers, Crossbowmen). Essential if you're building an archer-heavy army.
• Armor Upgrades (Blacksmith):
  • Scale Mail Armor: +1 Melee Armor for all infantry.
  • Padded Armor: +1 Ranged Armor for all infantry.
  • Prioritize these based on the enemy's unit composition. If they're spamming archers, Padded Armor is more valuable.

Mid Game (Castle Age)

The Castle Age opens up powerful new units and technologies. This is where your civilization's unique strengths truly begin to shine.

Castle Age Priorities (Age III)

Focus on advanced economic boosts, specialized military upgrades, and preparing for siege warfare.

Economic Upgrades

• Hand Cart (Town Center): An improved version of Wheelbarrow, further increasing Villager carry capacity and movement speed. Research this as soon as possible to maintain economic momentum.
• Bow Saw (Lumber Camp): Further increases wood gathering efficiency.
• Heavy Plow (Mill): Further increases farm food gathering rate.
• Stone Shaft Mining (Mining Camp): Further increases stone gathering rate.
• Gold Shaft Mining (Mining Camp): Further increases gold gathering rate.

Military Upgrades (Blacksmith & University)

• Advanced Attack Upgrades (Blacksmith):
  • Iron Casting: +1 Melee Attack (total +2).
  • Bodkin Arrow: +1 Ranged Attack (total +2).
• Advanced Armor Upgrades (Blacksmith):
  • Chain Mail Armor: +1 Melee Armor (total +2).
  • Leather Armor: +1 Ranged Armor (total +2).
• Ballistics (University): This technology is a game-changer for ranged units and defensive structures. It allows projectiles to hit moving targets more accurately. Research this early in the Castle Age if you rely on Archery Ranges or defensive towers.
• Siege Engineering (University): Unlocks the ability to construct Siege Workshops and produce powerful siege units like Mangonels and Battering Rams. Essential for breaking through enemy defenses.

Late Game (Imperial Age)

The Imperial Age is about maximizing your economy, fielding elite armies, and deploying powerful siege and defensive technologies to close out the game.

Imperial Age Priorities (Age IV)

At this stage, you should have a robust economy. Focus on the final tiers of upgrades and technologies that give your units a decisive edge.

Economic Upgrades

• Two-Man Saw (Lumber Camp): The final wood gathering efficiency upgrade.
• Crop Rotation (Mill): The final farm food gathering efficiency upgrade.
• Stone Mining Efficiency (Mining Camp): The final stone gathering efficiency upgrade.
• Gold Mining Efficiency (Mining Camp): The final gold gathering efficiency upgrade.

Military Upgrades (Blacksmith & University)

• Elite Attack Upgrades (Blacksmith):
  • Blast Furnace: +1 Melee Attack (total +3).
  • Bracer: +1 Ranged Attack (total +3).
• Elite Armor Upgrades (Blacksmith):
  • Plate Mail Armor: +1 Melee Armor (total +3).
  • Plate Armor: +1 Ranged Armor (total +3).
• Chemistry (University): Increases the attack of all gunpowder units and siege weapons. Absolutely vital if you plan to use Cannons, Hand Cannoneers, or Bombards.
• Siege Works (University): Further improves siege unit effectiveness, often increasing their health or attack.

Civilization-Specific Technologies

Remember that each civilization has unique technologies and Landmark bonuses that can significantly alter your tech path. Always consult your chosen civilization's specific tech tree for optimal play. For example:

• English: Benefit from early longbowman upgrades and unique defensive technologies at their Town Centers.
• Delhi Sultanate: Research technologies without cost, but at a slower pace, making their Scholar production and research speed upgrades crucial.
• Abbasid Dynasty: Their House of Wisdom offers unique wing bonuses that act as powerful economic or military technologies, such as Fresh Foodstuffs for cheaper Villagers.

By understanding these general principles and adapting them to your chosen civilization and game situation, you will effectively navigate the Age of Empires IV Technology Tree and lead your empire to victory!