Part 8

[8.8] Bad News
Invade the bandit stronghold in a two-prong attack. Use hotkey 'H' to cycle through town centers and group units effectively. Build 5-10 villagers per camp (20 total) and move military closer to gates. Build farms for food and advance to the Heroic Age by building an armory. Use Apollo's 'Underground Passage' god power to circumvent gates, but ensure sufficient units are built beforehand. Alternatively, power up to the Mythic Age with Hephaestus for the 'Plenty' god power and Colossus, slowly pushing through enemy defenses. Build fortresses as you destroy enemy ones and link up forces. Use helepolis and heavy troops to take down gates and fortresses. There are two artifacts: one to the south (use Chiron) and another to the west atop a mountain near two gold mines. Build new town centers on encountered settlements. The final gate is on the north part of the map.

[8.9] Revelation
Destroy the Gate Ram before Gargarensis breaks open the Underworld Gate. Send heroes ahead to deal with mythic creatures. Head east to find a Nemean Lion that will join you. Send reinforcements to link up with heroes. Knock over boulders to block enemy advance once reinforced two or three times. Use god powers or lower difficulty if needed. Archers and centaurs are good for picking off units; infantry and cavalry are better for destroying the ram. Monitor reinforcements and anticipate ambushes. Leave a hero or two to guard the route before sending them to the ram.

[8.10] Strangers
Escape the Underworld with the help of Shades. Always keep at least one Shade; they are crucial for scouting and recovering other Shades. Many things in the level do not need to be fought; use a Shade to recover another. When attacked by Cyclops, sacrifice all but one Shade. Keep non-hero units out of the main battle as heroes regenerate and reappear if killed. Cross the River Styx simultaneously. Be mindful of your transport boat near Krakens. Rushing through the river and dropping off your crew quickly is an option as ships don't last long. Each artifact secured is a trap but grants a god power. On the third artifact, scout ahead with Shades. Use Shades to recover more and find a good spot to use Colossus or Lightning Storm god power (which will damage enemies significantly). Mop up remaining enemies and bring artifacts to temples. There are three artifacts in this mission.

[8.11] The Lost Relic
Recover the Lost Relic. This mission has one Sword artifact.