Age of Empires 4 is a complex game, one where multitasking is inevitable. Players must simultaneously build their economy and military, while also staying vigilant for enemy attacks. When the time is right, players have to take the fight to their foes in order to achieve ultimate victory.
Throughout this process, the potential for failure is ever-present. Whether someone is a complete newbie or a seasoned veteran of the franchise, everybody falls victim to these mistakes at some point. In the future, being aware of these miscues is half the battle. With a little practice, fans will be able to overcome any obstacle that comes their way in Age of Empires 4.
8 Neglecting The Economy
A robust economy is absolutely essential in Age of Empires 4. Failure to gather resources quickly and efficiently will spell certain doom when playing against the AI or another human opponent. Thus, when it comes to the economy, it's better to err on the side of overkill.
Players bound to commit this cardinal sin at one point or another. An inefficient economy hampers one's ability to produce troops in large enough numbers to stave off attacks. The scale of production certainly wins battles in AOE 4. An enemy who can outproduce the player at every turn has a massive advantage.
7 Failing To Exploit Enemy Weaknesses
Combat in AOE 4 adheres to a rock-paper-scissors format, whereby spearmen beat cavalry, archers beat spearmen, etc. When commanding a huge force, it's tempting to just throw everybody into the melee and hope for the best. A more tactical touch, however, is highly recommended.
Throwing away troops into a mismatched encounter only leads to more casualties that eventually need to be replaced. The same holds true when utilizing siege engines. Always produce a diverse mix of soldiers, and group them via hotkeys. Then, use them where they can play to their strengths.
6 Too Few Defenses At Base
Rushing to outproduce one's enemy isn't always as straightforward as it sounds. Although the economy is tremendously important, that time and investment won't mean anything if the enemy is able to wipe out one's base with a raiding party. Having no reserve forces to defend the camp results in a quick and unsuccessful match.
Military structures need to be erected quickly once the player has pumped out a few villagers to get the economy going. Certain civilizations excel at particular types of combat, so capitalize on those strengths where applicable. Be sure to have walls, castles, and extra manpower on hand to defeat the most aggressive enemy incursions.
5 Leaving Villagers Exposed
Villagers represent the lifeblood of a player's settlement. Without them, production grinds to a halt. Therefore, players must protect their villagers to avoid resource stoppages. This isn't much of an issue while they stick to the confines of their home base. It's when players must expand to locate more resources where protecting villagers becomes an issue.
Assigning villagers to a remote part of the map without any defenses is tempting, but it's not a long-term strategy. It's only a matter of time before an enemy raiding party decimates the unfortunate group. When resources are available, consider building a castle and even some walls to secure a new location. Build military structures nearby to pump out reinforcements when necessary.
4 Not Building Enough Military Structures
Speaking of military structures, it would be a mistake to think that one of each type is enough. Against tougher opponents, especially human ones, players will need a steady source of manpower to defend their territory. Don't be content with just a few structures — think bigger.
Building multiple barracks, archery ranges, stables, and siege workshops ensures a quick and steady recruitment pool. If one structure happens to get destroyed, there are plenty of backups available until it's replaced. With a strong economy, this type of production is possible, so don't be shy about using it to its full potential.
3 Getting Taken By Surprise
With the right preparations, defending against an enemy attack is manageable. However, unexpectedly finding a massive invasion force at one's doorstep isn't a pleasant experience. New players tend to underappreciate the value in removing the fog of war from the map.
Surprise attacks can be disastrous, so knowing beforehand when they're coming is imperative. To do that, players can construct outposts on the perimeter of their base to keep a watchful eye. Scouts can perform the same function. It's best to keep Scouts active to discover incoming threats so that any last-minute preparations can be implemented.
2 Failing To Keep Pace With The Enemy Technologically
A serious problem arises when the enemy is more technologically advanced than the player. Even if one is adept at playing to their strengths, it's possible that enemy units will still overpower them. In skirmish matches, some players may fall victim to failing to keep pace with their enemies technologically.
Players will receive a notification when their foes have advanced to the next age. When that happens, the player must do the same immediately. Fighting an uphill battle can't be sustained for long. Leveling the playing field at one's earliest convenience is the key to survival.
1 Forgetting To Make Upgrades
Like failing to advance to the next age, forgetting to purchase upgrades puts players at a huge disadvantage. Neglecting upgrades for units and structures is akin to arriving at a battle with a hand tied behind one's back. The player may still win in the end, but the margin of error doesn't have to be so narrow.
Prioritize upgrades that apply to the bulk of the army. If cavalry constitutes the main force, focus on the upgrades that benefit them first. Deadlier, more durable units can end combat encounters quickly and with fewer casualties. Unless rushing the enemy with overwhelming force is a viable option, patience and planning will ultimately pay off in the end.
Age of Empires 4 released on October 28, 2021 and is currently available on PC.