Campaign Story & Lore

Welcome, aspiring mythologist, to the epic saga of Age of Mythology's single-player campaign! This section delves deep into the narrative, offering not just a walkthrough but also insights into the rich lore that underpins each mission. Understanding the story and the motivations of the gods and heroes will not only enhance your enjoyment but also inform your strategic decisions.

The campaign, "The Fall of the Trident," follows the Atlantean hero Arkantos as he journeys across the ancient world, confronting mythological beasts, treacherous foes, and even the gods themselves. Each mission is a chapter in this grand tale, blending historical elements with fantastical legends.

General Campaign Strategy

• Resource Management: Always prioritize a balanced economy. Wood, Food, Gold, and Favor are crucial. Don't neglect one for too long.
• Scouting: Early scouting is paramount. Knowing enemy positions, resource locations, and potential choke points will give you a significant advantage. Use your starting scout unit or an early cavalry unit.
• God Powers: use God Powers strategically. They can turn the tide of battle, provide crucial resources, or offer defensive capabilities. Save powerful ones for key engagements.
• Myth Units: Understand the strengths and weaknesses of your Myth Units. Some excel against human units, others against buildings, and some are specialized anti-myth units.
• Hero Units: Arkantos and other hero units are incredibly powerful against Myth Units. Keep them alive and use them wisely in combat.
• Defense: Don't overextend. Establish a strong defensive perimeter with walls, towers, and military units before pushing too far into enemy territory.

Mission Walkthrough: The Fall of the Trident

This section provides a detailed breakdown of each campaign mission, offering specific objectives, recommended strategies, and lore insights.

Mission 1: Arkantos's First Battle

Lore: We are introduced to Arkantos, a general of Atlantis, and his initial skepticism regarding the gods. He is tasked with defending his homeland from a pirate raid, unknowingly beginning a journey that will intertwine him with the fate of the world.

Objectives:

1. Defend the Atlantean settlement from pirate attacks.
2. Destroy the pirate camp.

Strategy:

• Initial Defense: Focus on building up your economy quickly. Train additional Villagers from your Town Center. Prioritize Wood and Food.
• Military Production: Immediately begin training Atlantean Citizen-Soldiers from your Barracks. These units are versatile and effective against the early pirate units.
• God Power: Your starting God Power, "Vision," is excellent for scouting the pirate camp's location early on. Use it to identify their main base and any outlying resource collection points.
• Counter-Attack: Once you have a force of approximately 8-10 Citizen-Soldiers, push towards the pirate camp located to the north-east of your starting position. Focus fire on their Barracks and Town Center first to cripple their unit production.
• Arkantos's Role: Keep Arkantos at the forefront of your attack. His bonus damage against human units makes him invaluable in this early mission.

Mission 2: The Gates of Erebus

Lore: Arkantos is sent to investigate strange occurrences in the Underworld, guided by the enigmatic Kemsyt. This mission introduces the concept of the Underworld and the dangers lurking within.

Objectives:

1. Locate the entrance to the Underworld.
2. Destroy the Cyclops guarding the entrance.
3. Enter the Underworld.

Strategy:

• Exploration: You start with Arkantos and a small contingent of units. Explore the map carefully, avoiding direct confrontation with large groups of Myth Units initially.
• Resource Gathering: There are scattered resource piles (e.g., Gold Piles, Berry Bushes) around the map. Use your starting Villagers to gather these to advance ages and gain access to better units.
• Finding the Entrance: The entrance to the Underworld is typically found in the central-western portion of the map, marked by a large, ominous gate.
• Dealing with the Cyclops: The Cyclops is a powerful Myth Unit. Focus all your available units on it. If you have advanced to the Classical Age, consider training some Hippikons from your Stable, as their speed and attack can be beneficial. Use Arkantos to tank some damage and deal significant blows.
• God Power: If you chose a god that offers a damaging God Power (e.g., "Bolt" from Zeus), save it for the Cyclops to quickly eliminate it.

Mission 3: The Dragon's Lair

Lore: Arkantos's journey continues as he seeks answers, leading him to confront a powerful Dragon. This mission highlights the growing threat of mythological creatures and the need for divine intervention.

Objectives:

1. Locate and defeat the Dragon.
2. Secure the artifact guarded by the Dragon.

Strategy:

• Early Expansion: Establish a strong economy quickly. You'll need a robust military to face the Dragon. Build multiple Barracks and Stables.
• Unit Composition: The Dragon is a formidable foe. Focus on ranged units like Toxotes from the Archery Range, as they can attack without taking direct damage from the Dragon's melee attacks. Supplement them with some heavy infantry like Hoplites from the Barracks to protect your ranged units.
• Myth Unit Counter: If you have access to Myth Units that are strong against other Myth Units (e.g., Minotaurs from Ares, if you chose him as a minor god), they can be very effective here.
• The Dragon's Location: The Dragon is usually found in a heavily fortified area, often surrounded by other enemy units. Scout ahead to plan your approach.
• Artifact Retrieval: After defeating the Dragon, a hero unit (Arkantos) must move to the artifact's location to secure it. Ensure the area is clear of any remaining enemies before doing so.

This is just the beginning of your epic journey. Each subsequent mission will introduce new challenges, new allies, and deeper insights into the intricate tapestry of Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies that define Age of Mythology.