Summary
Despite its age among RTS titles,Age of Empires 2proves its fast-paced gameplay combined with strategic advancement options added a new spin to the genre that remains compelling to play to this day. After all, with both progression and upgrades locked behind the concept of historical “Ages,” playthroughs ofAge of Empires 2now emphasize not just military supremacy, but also a depth of upgrades and strategic choice.
This extra challenge inAge of Empires 2gameplay is made even more invigorating with the presence of AI opponents, where players can prepare for high-octane multiplayer matches by first mastering combat against them. However, withAge of Empires 2’s most difficultExtreme AI infamous for its quick kills and rushes, just how can players outperform a computer programmed exactly to maximize their gameplay options?
1Try To Observe Common Patterns
Players Should Take Advantage Of Potential Slip-Ups
Even if the Extreme AI is touted as thehighest difficulty settingin theAge of Empirestitle, it’s certainly not undefeatable. Before players decide on any winning strategy, they should check what their AI opponent is doing with Scouts and livestock that manage to travel there en route to the player’s Town Center. However, instead of just checking what the AI “is doing,” players should attempt to predict what their immediate movements imply.
For instance, high-difficulty AI always tends to rush opponents when their economies can support the push. If not Skirmishers and Archers, AI may also build Cavalry units for early attacks. Moreover, since the AI tends to focus hard on countering what players try to hit them back with, players should also form double counters to accommodate sudden shifts in strategy.
2Abuse The Rush
Hit The AI Before It Can Out-Micro The Player
When the Extreme AI inAge of Empires 2gameplay manages to attack players with a large army as soon as they hit the Feudal Age, then the AI likely hasdeveloped a consistent economythat players can’t immediately outpace. In turn, the best way to defeat Extreme AI in any match is to hit it before it gains momentum, which usually occurs in the gathering stages of the Dark Ages. When players get into the Feudal Age first, a few offensive units should do the trick against the AI’s base and will likely land the L to them.
While others see this strategy as “unfair” to the spirit of the RTS, players can use this opportunity to build their momentum against Extreme AI opponents slowly. Players can experiment with delaying their rushes to see how Extreme AI usually counters them and at what point during a match the AI starts to gain momentum. Identifying these moments can help players anticipate AI movements even outside the rush.
3Cost Efficiency Is The Key To Economic Success
Always Aim To Spend Less Than What The Enemy Is Spending
Due to Extreme AI being able to figure out the fastest way to maximize its economy at any given opportunity,Age of Empires 2gameplay can prove challenging for players who simply try to outpace the AI in terms of economic development. Instead of waiting to amass many troops oreasing one’s way into upgrades, players should take a page off the Extreme AI’s playbook: never stay idle.
At its core, players should always maximize their production and resources whenever possible. Moreover, players should stay on the lookout for how much more they need before advancing to the next Age and prepare accordingly. In turn, resource acquisition should always focus on what the following upgrade needs and nothing else. When done correctly, even a small raid from the player can lead to a huge setback on the AI’s part, as resources they can save up for upgrades will be spent defending their base or countering players instead.
4Fast Track Into Feudal
How Players Enter Feudal Age Determines Their Momentum
Despite howAge of Empires 2games play across four upgrade tiers via Ages, it’s usually the Feudal Age that determines the momentum that may lead players or the Extreme AI to victory. When left unchecked, Extreme AI at Feudal Age will likely have enough resources to outpace the players until the endgame. In turn, players need to enter the Feudal Age and hit first as soon as possible.
An efficient way to do this is the21-Pop Strategy, where players fast-track their entry into the Feudal Age by constructing a Lumber Camp, a Mill, and four Houses for the 22 Population cap during the Dark Age. At 20 Population, players can create two Scout Cavalry to attack their gold supply and their wood supply, which should send the AI in a panic to build units to counter the player. At this point, players should have their 21st to 22nd Villager prepared, sending them straight into Feudal while the enemy still tries to produce military units.
5Fast Castle Secures Cashflow
Build The Castle First To Gain The Economic Advantage
Feudal Age leading into Castle Age as soon as possible makes for one of the most classic build orders inAge of Empires 2gameplay, and its efficiency against fellow players in multiplayer also works against Extreme AI. Building upon a fast track into Feudal Age, players should invest their subsequent Villagers in a new Lumber Camp and acquire more gold via a Mining Camp. From there, building the Barracks, Blacksmith, and Stable should unlock the requirements to proceed into Castle Age.
Should players do this correctly, they should be able to train two Knights to initiate an attack against the Extreme AI. By then, it’s likely that the AI is still training Skirmishers and Archers against players, which the Knights could resist. Even if the AI begins building counters against it,the difference in Age and upgradesshould give players enough time to shore up their defenses.
6Archer Rush Forces The Skirmisher Endgame
Push The AI Into An Unnecessary Corner With Archers
An alternate rush build from the Fast Castle would be the Archer Rush, this time making sureAge of Empires 2gameplay reaches Feudal Age firstwith a focus on Archers. To do this, Villagers will still use the same Fast Castle order until they reach Feudal Age, after which they should invest in a House, a Barracks, two Archery Ranges, and a Blacksmith. Once players do this, it’s important to research Fletching to give Archers a much-needed range stat boost.
Theoretically, this should give players enough firepower to create Archers to either harass or outright kill enemy Villagers from a much further distance. Once the Extreme AI senses this, they will probably push much of their resources towards improving their Skirmishers. Should they do this, players should have ample time to upgrade to Castle Age and improve defenses.
7Forward Castle Drop Can Cripple Progression
Pressure Opponents To Fight Castles
While a castle can become one of the best defensive structures in aplaythrough of this RTS, the right momentum can transform the fortress into a method of stopping the enemy’s progression. Known as the Forward Castle Drop, thisAge of Empires 2build sends the fight straight to the Extreme AI, forcing them to focus on destroying the Castle instead of their progression.
Doing this is similar to Fast Castle, except stone acquisition becomes a priority as soon as players enter Castle Age. As soon as players can build their first Castle, upgrades like Fletching can boost the Castle’s available attack range. This way, players can “drop” the castle close to the enemy’s Town Center or even close to routes with many of their VIllagers to harass them, forcing the Extreme AI to focus on the Castle instead of the player’s other developments.
8Tower Rush Redirects Enemy Focus
A Much Cheaper Version Of Castle Drops
Players who want an alternative to the Castle Drop strategy when fighting Extreme AI may want to modify theirAge of Empires 2gameplaywith the Tower Rush. As with the standard Castle Drop, the strategy remains the same up until players go beyond the Feudal Age and construct their Mining Camp.
With the right setup, players can drop Watch Towers near enemy resource lines to harass Villagers and force the AI to build units to destroy the player’s towers. Since these structures are less defensible than Castles but easier to build, players can garrison towers with Archers while Men-at-Arms stay nearby to protect them at melee. Ideally, players should set up towers within each other’s ranges and wall them to further pressure the enemy AI.
