Age of Empires IV
Age of Empires IV

Campaign Specific Strategies

Master AoE IV campaigns with mission-specific tactics for the Norman Campaign and the Conqueror. Leverage unique units and map layouts for victory.

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Campaign Specific Strategies

Welcome, aspiring conquerors! This section delves into detailed, actionable strategies for overcoming the unique challenges presented in Age of Empires IV's various campaigns. Forget generic build orders; here, we focus on mission-specific tactics, leveraging unique units, map layouts, and enemy behaviors to secure victory.

The Norman Campaign: The Conqueror

The Norman Campaign, "The Conqueror," chronicles William of Normandy's ascent to the English throne. Expect a blend of economic development, tactical engagements, and siege warfare.

Mission 1: The Battle of Hastings

  • Initial Setup: You begin with a small force of Spearmen, Archers, and a few Knights. Your primary objective is to defeat King Harold Godwinson's forces.
  • Early Game Strategy:
    • Resource Management: Immediately task your starting Villagers to gather Wood and Food. You'll need a steady supply to reinforce your army. Look for the nearby Berry Bushes and Deer for quick food sources.
    • Defensive Positioning: Position your Spearmen at the front of your formation to absorb cavalry charges, with Archers directly behind them for ranged support. Keep your Knights slightly to the flanks, ready to counter-charge enemy cavalry or flank their archers.
    • Scouting: Use a single Scout to quickly reveal the immediate area around your starting position. Identify enemy troop movements and resource locations.
  • Key Engagement: Harold's forces will advance in waves. Focus fire with your Archers on their most dangerous units, typically their Huscarls or Cavalry. Use your Knights to break up their formations and target their ranged units.
  • Special Unit Focus: The Norman Knights are exceptionally powerful in this early mission. Utilize their charge ability effectively to deal massive damage and disrupt enemy lines.

Mission 3: The Siege of London

  • Objective: Capture London by destroying its Keep and Town Center.
  • Resource Expansion: This mission requires significant resource gathering. Establish multiple Lumber Camps near dense forests and Mining Camps near Gold and Stone deposits. Prioritize Stone for building siege engines and defensive structures.
  • Army Composition:
    • Siege Engines: Crucial for breaking London's formidable defenses. Build at least 3-4 Mangonels or Trebuchets from your Siege Workshop. Mangonels are excellent for clearing enemy archers on walls, while Trebuchets are better for destroying buildings from a safe distance.
    • Infantry: A core of Spearmen and Men-at-Arms will be needed to protect your siege engines and engage enemy units that sally forth.
    • Archers: Provide ranged support and help clear enemy units from walls once breaches are made.
  • Siege Tactics:
    • Breaching Walls: Use your Trebuchets to target sections of London's walls. Once a breach is made, send in your infantry to secure the opening.
    • Keep Focus: Prioritize destroying the enemy Keep. This will significantly reduce their defensive capabilities and unit production.
    • Countering Defenders: London will field a mix of units, including Longbowmen and Knights. Use your own Knights to counter their cavalry and your Mangonels to suppress their archers.
  • Hidden Objective/Bonus: Look for a small, lightly defended village to the west of London. Capturing its Town Center will provide additional Villagers and a steady income of resources, significantly aiding your siege efforts.

The Rus Campaign: The Golden Horde

The Rus Campaign, "The Golden Horde," focuses on the rise of the Rus principalities against the Mongol invasion. Expect rapid expansion, defensive fortifications, and strategic use of unique Rus units.

Mission 2: The Battle on the Ice

  • Unique Mechanic: The frozen lake in the center of the map is a critical strategic point. Heavy units (Knights, Siege Engines) will cause the ice to crack and eventually break, drowning units. Lighter units (Spearmen, Archers, Horsemen) can traverse it more safely.
  • Early Defense: You start with a small base and will face early Mongol raids. Build a second Town Center quickly to boost your economy and unit production. Prioritize building Stone Walls and Outposts at key choke points leading to your base.
  • Army Composition:
    • Streltsy: These unique Rus gunpowder units are excellent against heavy armored units and can be produced from the Age III Barracks. Massing them is crucial.
    • Horse Archers: Highly mobile and effective for harassing enemy siege engines and flanking maneuvers.
    • Monks: Essential for healing your units, especially your Streltsy, and converting enemy units if you have the "Conversion" technology researched at the Monastery.
  • Lake Strategy:
    • Lure and Trap: Lure heavy Mongol units onto the ice. Once they are positioned, send in your own heavy units (if you have any to spare) to intentionally break the ice, drowning their forces.
    • Light Unit Dominance: Utilize your Horse Archers and Spearmen to control the lake, preventing the Mongols from crossing easily and harassing any units that attempt to do so.
  • Resource Control: The map features several valuable Gold mines and Stone deposits scattered around the lake. Securing and defending these will be vital for sustaining your army and fortifications.