Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, a real-time strategy game, has been popular since its 1999 debut and continues to draw new players after its late 2019 release. Early game strategy involves scouting to locate resources and the enemy’s base, collecting resources, and disrupting the enemy’s economy with “scout rush” tactics. With mid-game play, players need to transition from early- to late-game and focus on army composition and understanding civilization bonuses and unique units. In the late game, players need defensive structures, the destruction of the enemy’s economy, and effective teamwork to coordinate attacks and defenses.

Winning Strategies for the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a timeless classic real-time strategy game that debuted in 1999. It had a resurgence in late 2019 with the release of the Definitive Edition. The game has been a popular choice for players looking for a challenging and rewarding experience. In this article, we will provide you with winning strategies for playing Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.

Early Game

The first minutes of the game are crucial. It will determine who will be the initial aggressor, who will have control of the resources, and who will have an advantage in the late game. Thus, here are the following things you should focus on:

Scouting

The goal of scouting is to locate resources and the enemy’s base so that you can plan accordingly. You can do this by creating a scout unit or sending a villager to explore the map. Always prioritize finding resources such as gold mines, stone quarries, food sources, and wood lines. Once you locate the enemy’s base, take note of their defenses and army composition.

Resource Collection

Collecting resources is vital in the early game. Always make sure that you have enough resources to sustain your economy. Remember the following resource requirements: Food for Villagers, Wood for Buildings and Archers, Gold for Military Units and Upgrades.

Scout Rush

A scout rush is a type of rushing strategy where the player’s objective is to disrupt the enemy’s economy as early as possible by sending small groups of fast-moving cavalry units to raid the opponent’s villages. This strategy works best when launched in the early game before the enemy establishes their base fully.

Mid Game

The mid-game is where players start to make significant progress towards victory. It is a critical phase where a player must transition from the early game to the late game. Here are some things to focus on:

Army Composition

Army composition is one of the essential factors of victory. Players must ensure that they have a proper mix of offensive and defensive units to counter their opponent’s army. For instance, if the enemy has a large number of archers and spearmen, you may need to produce skirmishers and cavalry to counter them.

Civilization Bonuses and Unique Units

It is essential to understand the civilization bonuses and unique units of your chosen civilization. A civilization bonus is a unique trait specific to a particular civilization, while a unique unit is a unique military unit that only a specific civilization can produce. By utilizing your civilization’s bonuses and unique units, you can gain a significant advantage in combat.

Late Game

The late game is where critical decisions are made. It is the stage where players must make a final push towards victory. Here are some things to focus on:

Defensive Structures

With armies getting bigger and bigger, defensive structures like walls, towers, and castles are critical in keeping the enemy at bay. Towers are cheap and efficient, while castles can deal high damage and provide a large amount of defense.

Destroying the Enemy’s Economy

The enemy’s economy is their biggest weakness. If you can destroy their primary source of resources, you will have a significant advantage. Use stealthy and fast-moving units such as cavalry to raid their villages while your main army is blocking the enemy’s army.

Teamwork

When playing in a team, teamwork is especially critical. Communication is key, and players must work together to coordinate attacks and defenses. One player can focus on producing military units while the other teammate produces villager units or resources.

Conclusion

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is a challenging game. A player must have a plan and execute it well. The early game is vital for establishing a good foundation for the mid and late game. Remember that scouting, resource collection, and early game rushes can make or break your game. Army composition and taking advantage of your civilization’s bonuses and unique units can give you an upper hand. Defensive structures and destroying the enemy’s economy are critical in the late game, while teamwork is paramount when playing with others. By following these winning strategies, you can become a fearsome conqueror in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.