Age up in Age of Empires IV is crucial for accessing stronger units, buildings, and technologies. This guide will break down the process, strategies, and tips to help you efficiently advance through the ages and dominate your opponents.
Understanding the Age Up System in AoE 4
In AoE 4, advancing to the next age requires accumulating a specific amount of resources and then constructing the appropriate Age Up building. This isn't just a simple resource dump, though! Strategic planning and resource management are vital for a smooth transition.
Resource Requirements: The Key to Progression
Each age requires a specific amount of resources:
- Dark Age to Feudal Age: Typically requires a moderate amount of resources, setting the stage for your early game economy.
- Feudal Age to Castle Age: Demands a significantly larger amount of resources, highlighting the importance of efficient resource gathering during the Feudal Age.
- Castle Age to Imperial Age: Requires the most resources of all ages, demanding a well-established and robust economy.
Important Note: The exact resource requirements vary slightly depending on your chosen civilization. Familiarize yourself with your chosen civilization's unique bonuses and resource needs.
Age Up Buildings: The Gateway to the Next Era
Each age requires the construction of a specific building to trigger the Age Up process:
- Feudal Age: Requires the construction of a Feudal Age Town Center upgrade.
- Castle Age: Requires the construction of a Castle.
- Imperial Age: Requires the construction of a Imperial Age Town Center upgrade.
Building these structures consumes resources and time. Planning their construction in advance is essential to ensure a timely age up.
Strategic Age Up Timing: When to Make the Leap
Timing your age up is as crucial as the process itself. Rushing too early can leave you vulnerable, while delaying too long can allow your opponents to gain a decisive advantage.
Factors Influencing Your Age Up Strategy
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Opponent's Progress: Keep a close eye on your opponents' development. If they are significantly ahead, you may need to prioritize age up to catch up. Conversely, delaying your age up might be advantageous if your opponent is struggling.
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Resource Accumulation: Don't rush the age up before you have the necessary resources. A delayed but secure age up is far superior to a rushed and unprepared transition.
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Military Strength: Consider your current military strength. A strong military presence can buy you valuable time to accumulate the necessary resources.
Mastering the Art of the Smooth Age Up
- Resource Prioritization: Focus on gathering the necessary resources for the age up before focusing on expansion or military production.
- Building Placement: Position your Age Up buildings strategically for optimal protection and resource access.
- Defensive Structures: Don't neglect your defenses while focusing on Age Up. Consider building defensive structures to protect your economy and vulnerable buildings.
- Technology Research: Research relevant technologies during the Age Up to further enhance your economy, military, and overall progress.
Civilizations and Age Up Strategies: Tailoring Your Approach
Different civilizations possess unique strengths and weaknesses affecting their optimal age up strategy. Understanding these nuances is crucial for maximizing your success. For example, some civilizations might have bonuses that help speed up resource gathering making earlier age ups viable. Others might excel in late-game scenarios, benefiting from a more deliberate approach.
Conclusion: Mastering Age Ups for Victory
Efficient and strategic age ups are the backbone of a successful AoE 4 campaign. By understanding the resource requirements, building placement, and overall timing, you can gain a significant advantage over your opponents. Remember to adapt your strategy based on your chosen civilization and the prevailing game conditions. Mastering the art of the age up is key to unlocking victory in Age of Empires IV!
