Nyreason

Introduction

Age of Empires IV is a game of strategy, efficiency, and adaptability. Whether you’re aiming to climb the competitive ladder or optimize your single-player experience, mastering the art of leveling up quickly is key. This guide provides an in-depth analysis of resource management, optimal build orders, military tactics, and civilization-specific strategies to help you gain an edge over your opponents.

1. Resource Management: The Foundation of Success

A. Prioritizing Resources

In Age of Empires IV, efficiently gathering and allocating resources is the cornerstone of fast leveling. The four primary resources—food, wood, gold, and stone—each serve a distinct purpose, and prioritizing them correctly is crucial for rapid advancement.

• Food: Essential for villager and unit production. Prioritize sheep, berries, and farms as you progress.
• Wood: Needed for buildings, archers, and naval units. Secure sustainable woodlines early.
• Gold: Crucial for advancing through ages, training advanced units, and researching technology.
• Stone: Important for fortifications and town center expansions, but less critical in early game.

B. Optimal Villager Distribution

A recommended early-game villager allocation for a balanced economy:

• 8-10 on food (sheep first, then farms or berries)
• 4-6 on wood (for houses, military buildings, and siege units later)
• 3-5 on gold (for age-up requirements and unit production)
• 0-2 on stone (only if planning early defenses or expansion)

Adapt based on your civilization and strategy, shifting workers as needed to prevent bottlenecks.

2. Build Orders for Fast Advancement

A. Standard Feudal Age Build Order (Economic Focus)

1. Queue villagers continuously and send the first 6 to sheep.
2. Next 3 villagers go to wood.
3. Send 2 villagers to gold.
4. Additional villagers split between food and wood, maintaining balance.
5. Build a House and a Lumber Camp early.
6. Once you have 400 food and 200 gold, advance to the Feudal Age.

B. Aggressive Feudal Rush Build (Military Focus)

1. Open with 6 on food, 3 on wood, and 2 on gold.
2. As you age up, transition 2-3 villagers to build military structures.
3. Upon reaching Feudal Age, immediately produce scouts, archers, or spearmen.
4. Pressure your opponent’s economy, forcing them into defensive play.

3. Military Tactics: Dominating the Battlefield

A. Early-Game Harassment

• Use scouts or archers to disrupt enemy resource gathering.
• Target enemy gold and wood lines to slow their progression.
• Delay their age-up timing with continuous pressure.

B. Mid-Game Power Spikes

• Take advantage of unique civilization bonuses (e.g., English longbowmen, Mongol cavalry raids).
• Control sacred sites and relics to gain economic and score advantages.
• Utilize siege units effectively to break fortified defenses.

C. Late-Game Domination

• Transition to elite units and leverage technology upgrades.
• Maintain a strong economy to sustain military production.
• Push for map control, denying enemy expansion opportunities.

4. Civilization-Specific Strategies

A. English (Defensive & Longbowmen Powerhouse)

• Prioritize longbowmen production in Feudal Age.
• Use Network of Castles bonus for enhanced attack speed.
• Transition into strong economic upgrades and keeps in the late game.

B. Mongols (Aggressive & Mobile Playstyle)

• Take advantage of the Ovoo stone mining bonus.
• Use cavalry rushes to harass early game economies.
• Relocate your base as needed to keep up pressure.

C. Holy Roman Empire (Relic-Based Economy Boost)

• Focus on early Prelate production to buff villager gathering rates.
• Secure relics quickly for gold income and powerful military bonuses.
• Maintain a strong infantry-based army with powerful upgrades.

D. Abbasid Dynasty (Economic & Technological Superiority)

• Utilize House of Wisdom tiers for significant eco and military benefits.
• Focus on camel units to counter cavalry-heavy opponents.
• Leverage Golden Age bonuses to outscale opponents over time.

5. Advanced Strategies for Competitive Play

A. Scouting and Adaptation

• Always scout enemy strategies early to adjust your build accordingly.
• Look for weak spots in their economy and defensive structure.
• Use stealth units or cavalry for effective map control.

B. Macro vs. Micro Balance

• Maintain a steady villager production while managing military units.
• Use control groups and hotkeys for efficient army movement.
• Prioritize key engagements, avoiding unnecessary losses.

C. Countering Common Strategies

• Against rushers: Build early defensive structures and train counter-units.
• Against turtlers: Focus on siege weapons and economic harassment.
• Against booming opponents: Maintain aggression to prevent unchecked scaling.

Conclusion: Mastering the Path to Victory

Leveling up quickly in Age of Empires IV requires a balance of economic efficiency, precise build orders, and strategic military execution. By understanding the nuances of each civilization, optimizing resource management, and employing calculated aggression, you can significantly improve your gameplay and outpace your competition. Whether you’re grinding ranked matches or refining your skills in casual play, these strategies will set you on the path to victory.

Now, test your skills and conquer the battlefield!