Age of Empires IV
Age of Empires IV

Campaign Story & Lore

Relive historical campaigns and conquer battlefields in Age of Empires IV. This walkthrough covers story elements and real-time strategy for each mission.

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Campaign Story & Lore

Welcome, aspiring conquerors, to the definitive guide for navigating the rich historical tapestry and challenging battlefields of Age of Empires IV's campaigns! Unlike the turn-based combat of its Nintendo DS counterpart, Age of Kings, AoE IV returns to the real-time strategy roots, demanding quick thinking, strategic resource management, and masterful unit control. This section will provide you with detailed walkthroughs, crucial item locations, and advanced strategies to ensure your triumph across the ages.

The Norman Campaign: William the Conqueror's Ascent

The Norman Campaign serves as your introduction to the core mechanics of Age of Empires IV, chronicling William the Conqueror's relentless march to secure the English throne. Pay close attention to the tutorial elements, as they lay the groundwork for all subsequent campaigns.

Mission 1: The Battle of Hastings

Lore: This pivotal battle in 1066 saw William, Duke of Normandy, challenge King Harold Godwinson for the crown of England. The English forces, exhausted from their victory at Stamford Bridge, faced William's well-organized Norman cavalry and archers.

Walkthrough & Strategy:

  • Initial Objective: Defeat Harold Godwinson's forces.
  • Early Game: You start with a small contingent of Spearmen, Archers, and Men-at-Arms. Immediately move your forces to the high ground indicated on your minimap. This provides a defensive advantage against the initial English charge.
  • Resource Management: Focus on gathering Wood and Food. Send your Villagers to the nearby Forest Patch to the west and the Berry Bushes to the south. Build a Lumber Camp and a Mill to expedite resource collection.
  • Key Units:
    • Archers: Position them behind your Spearmen on the high ground. use their Volley ability (unlocked at the Archery Range) to deal significant damage to approaching English units.
    • Spearmen: Form the frontline. Their bonus damage against cavalry is crucial for repelling English Knights.
    • Men-at-Arms: A versatile melee unit. Use them to flank enemy formations or reinforce weakened sections of your line.
  • Mid-Game Push: Once you've repelled the initial waves, you'll gain access to a Stable and can train Knights. These are powerful shock units. Use them to target English archers and siege weapons.
  • Item Location: A hidden Relic of St. Valery can be found near the ruined church in the northeast corner of the map. Capturing this Relic with a Monk and placing it in a Monastery will generate a steady stream of Gold, vital for late-game unit production.
  • Winning Strategy: The English often rely on a shield wall formation. Use your Archers to soften them up, then charge with your Knights to break their lines. Focus fire on Harold's personal guard once he appears on the battlefield.

Mission 2: Securing the Coast

Lore: Following Hastings, William needed to secure his supply lines and establish a strong foothold. This mission reflects the early consolidation of Norman power in England.

Walkthrough & Strategy:

  • Initial Objective: Establish a fortified base and repel Saxon raids.
  • Base Building: You start with a small Town Center and a few Villagers. Immediately build a Barracks and an Archery Range. Prioritize defenses, constructing Outposts at key choke points leading into your base. Upgrade these Outposts with Embrasures for increased arrow damage.
  • Resource Rich Area: A large Gold Vein is located to the west, guarded by a small group of Saxon Spearmen. Clear them out early and establish a Mining Camp to secure this valuable resource.
  • Scouting: Send a Scout (or a lone Spearman) to explore the map. You'll discover several small Saxon encampments that will periodically send raiding parties.
  • Countering Raids: Saxon raids typically consist of Spearmen and Archers. A balanced force of Men-at-Arms and Archers, supported by your Outposts, should be sufficient to defend. Keep a small mobile force ready to intercept raiders before they reach your Villagers.
  • Optional Objective: Destroy the Saxon Watchtower located on the central hill. This tower provides vision for the Saxons and can be a nuisance. A small force of Spearmen and a Battering Ram (built at the Siege Workshop) can take it down.
  • Winning Strategy: Build up a strong economy and a robust defensive perimeter. Once your economy is stable and you have a sizable army (around 15-20 units), launch a coordinated attack on the main Saxon stronghold in the north. Focus on destroying their Town Center to cripple their ability to produce units.

The Hundred Years' War Campaign: English vs. French

This campaign plunges you into the tumultuous Hundred Years' War, showcasing the evolving tactics and iconic figures of this protracted conflict. Prepare for more complex engagements and the introduction of powerful siege weaponry.

Mission 1: The Battle of Sluys

Lore: This naval battle in 1340 was a decisive English victory, establishing English naval supremacy early in the war. While Age of Empires IV focuses on land battles, this mission cleverly translates the naval dominance into a land-based siege.

Walkthrough & Strategy:

  • Initial Objective: Destroy the French port defenses and capture the French Supply Ships.
  • Starting Position: You begin with a small army and a forward operating base. Your immediate goal is to establish a strong economy.
  • Resource Priority: Gold and Stone are paramount here. Gold for advanced units and upgrades, Stone for fortifications and siege engines. There's a rich Stone Outcropping to the east of your starting position.
  • Siege Warfare: This mission introduces the Siege Workshop. Build one as soon as possible. Your primary siege weapon will be the Mangonel for area denial and destroying enemy structures, and the Battering Ram for breaking down walls.
  • French Defenses: The French port is heavily fortified with Stone Walls, Towers, and Keeps. They will also field a mix of Spearmen, Archers, and early Knights.
  • Pathfinding: There are two main approaches to the port: a direct frontal assault or a flanking maneuver through the wooded area to the west. The flanking route is less defended initially but requires more scouting.
  • Key Strategy: Use your Mangonels to clear out enemy archers on walls and destroy towers. Protect your Mangonels with Spearmen and Men-at-Arms. Once the defenses are breached, send in your main army to destroy the French Barracks and Archery Range to halt their unit production.
  • Capturing Supply Ships: After breaching the defenses, move your units to the docks. Simply having units in proximity to the French Supply Ships will initiate their capture. Be wary of any remaining French defenders.

Mission 2: The Siege of Calais

Lore: Following Sluys, Edward III laid siege to Calais, a strategically important port. This prolonged siege tested the endurance of both sides and showcased the brutal realities of medieval warfare.

Walkthrough & Strategy:

  • Initial Objective: Breach the walls of Calais and capture the Calais Town Center.
  • Economy Focus: This is a long mission. Establish a robust economy early. Build multiple Farms around your Town Center and secure all nearby Gold Veins and Stone Outcroppings.
  • Advanced Defenses: Calais is a formidable fortress. The walls are thick, and the French will deploy Springalds and Cannons (once they age up) to counter your siege engines.
  • Counter-Siege: You will need your own Springalds to counter the French siege weapons. Build several and keep them protected. Research Siege Engineering at the University to increase the health and damage of your siege units.
  • Unit Composition: A balanced army is essential. Include a strong core of Longbowmen (with the Volley and Network of Castles upgrades for increased damage and attack speed), Men-at-Arms for frontline defense, and Knights for flanking and targeting high-value units.
  • Breaching the Walls: Focus your siege on one section of the wall. Use multiple Battering Rams or Trebuchets (unlocked in the Imperial Age) to create a breach. Once a section is down, send in your melee units to secure the breach.
  • Inner City Combat: The inner city of Calais will be heavily defended. Expect ambushes and strong resistance. Use your Longbowmen to clear garrisoned units from buildings.
  • Item Location: A valuable Royal Decree Scroll can be found in a small, unguarded tent near the southern gate of Calais. Retrieving this scroll with a Scout will grant you a temporary boost to unit production speed.
  • Winning Strategy: Patience and overwhelming force are key. Don't rush. Slowly chip away at the French defenses, maintain a strong economy, and constantly reinforce your army. Once you've breached the walls and eliminated the immediate threats, push directly for the Calais Town Center to secure victory.