In Age of Empires 4, the Normans Campaign gives players a taste of what they can expect from the rest of the game. It offers an ideal collection of scenarios for beginners learning the ropes. By and large, there isn't anything too difficult in the Normans Campaign.
Nevertheless, there are certain moments throughout the campaign that can be a bit challenging. Players still need to be proactive when it comes to managing their economies and military forces. A few tips and strategies for the campaign's more hectic moments will definitely come in handy for those still getting their feet wet in Age of Empires 4.
Always Have Troops Queued To Replace Losses
This tip can apply to pretty much any scenario in the Normans Campaign. Players should certainly keep this in mind during the second mission, "North to York." At the beginning of this scenario, players will start with a significant force already under their command. Rebel towns can be swept aside with little fuss.
However, the final objective of reclaiming York itself is a tougher nut to crack. No matter how formidable one's military forces may seem, it's good to get into the habit of always having troops in the queue. Assaulting a fortified position is costly. It's better to have troops continuously fed into a fight rather than risking it all and having to start from scratch if things go south.
Take Your Time & Purchase Upgrades
Since the action in campaign scenarios can often be dramatic, it may feel tempting to rush into the thick of a fight. Taking the time to build up one's forces and purchase all available upgrades is a perfectly viable strategy. This advice can be applied from the third scenario, "The Fall of Bayeux," and onward.
Upgrades that increase melee/ranged damage and armor ratings should be purchased whenever possible. Making sure that one's troops are equipped in the best manner possible can actually save time in the long run. Build defenses, such as Keeps, to keep enemy raiding parties at bay. Then, feel free to take it slow, maxing out the population cap while applying upgrades.
Recruit A Diverse Force In "The Battle Of Tinchebray"
The fourth scenario, "The Battle of Tinchebray," operates a bit differently than the rest of the campaign missions. With no villagers or economy, players need to collect piles of Gold scattered across enemy encampments. That Gold can be used to purchase regiments of soldiers in the form of Spearmen, Archers, Men-at-Arms, or Knights.
The final battle between Duke Robert and the player serves as the climax of the scenario. Duke Robert possesses a diverse force composed of all four unit types. If the player recruits too many regiments of the same type, they may find themselves at a disadvantage. It's far better to recruit a mix of troops and deploy them strategically in the final battle.
Prioritize Longbowmen & Cavalry In "The Siege Of Wallingford"
"The Siege of Wallingford" can be quite challenging since it requires a fair bit of speed and multitasking on the player's part. From the very start of the mission, fans will be under constant assault from the enemy. Battering Rams and Siege Towers pose a regular annoyance. What's worse, the player's starting forces are meager.
Recruiting Longbowmen and placing them atop the stone walls is a great first step. Let them take care of the enemy infantry. Meanwhile, recruit plenty of Light Cavalry to dispose of the siege equipment. When friendly reinforcements arrive, eliminate at least one enemy outpost to take some of the pressure off. Assaulting more than one outpost when the reinforcements first arrive is risky. It's safer to garrison them inside the base as a reserve army while more significant forces are being recruited.
Build Defenses Quickly In "The Siege Of Rochester"
In the ninth mission, "The Siege of Rochester," players have two tasks: destroying Rochester Keep and defending their base. The latter task is a bit tricky since the enemy will start sending raiding parties almost immediately. With limited space for a base, construction needs to start pronto on Barracks, Archery Ranges, and Stables.
The enemy can attack from the north or, more sneakily, from the east. Building a few stone walls that seal off the player's base in the east and stationing some Longbowmen there is recommended. In the north, constructing at least two Keeps, along with infantry/cavalry support, should keep that sector quiet.
Rochester is extremely tough to conquer in a single assault. Make liberal use of Trebuchets to knock down gates, towers, walls, and military production buildings. Mangonels can decimate clumps of infantry and cavalry. Set the rally points of one's production buildings to the frontlines to ensure a steady stream of reinforcements. Destroy Rochester Keep as soon as possible to end the mission.
Age of Empires 4 was released on October 28, 2021 and is currently available on PC.