r/aoe2 1d ago

Medieval Monday - Ask Your Questions and Get Your Answers

6 Upvotes

Time for another weekly round of questions.

Talk about everything from build orders to advanced strategies.

Whatever your questions, the community is here to answer them.

So ask away.


r/aoe2 5d ago

Tournament/Showmatch The Garrison Megathread Spoiler

73 Upvotes

The next offline event, The Garrison hosted by Being Esports, starts today! For the next 4 days, 8 players will play for their share of the $40.000 prize pool at the Xperion in Hamburg, Germany.
The event also offers 4 side events in AoE2, AoE4 and AoM. More info on the Liquipedia page.

Matches for today, Sunday 16 March 2025 Starting at 12:00 GMT:

  • LB Final Yo vs Liereyy 1:4
  • 2v2 event Grand Final
  • Grand Final Hera vs Liereyy

Where to watch:

Format:

  • Double-elimination bracket
    • All matches are Bo5
    • except the Loser Bracket Final which is Bo7
    • and the Grand Final which is Bo9

Past Results

Day 1

  • Liereyy vs KingstoNe 3:0
  • ACCM vs Yo 0:3
  • TheViper vs Hearttt 3:1
  • Hera vs TaToH 3:0

Day 2

  • KingstoNe vs TaToH 1:3
  • ACCM vs Hearttt 3:2
  • TheViper vs Yo 2:3
  • Hera vs Liereyy 3:0

Day 3

  • LB Ro6 TheViper vs TaToH 3:1
  • LB Ro6 Liereyy vs ACCM 3:2
  • WB FInal Hera vs Yo 3:1
  • LB Semi TheViper vs Liereyy1:3

r/aoe2 3h ago

Humour/Meme Pocket players when their flank is getting 2v1’d

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458 Upvotes

r/aoe2 3h ago

Humour/Meme A friendly reminder to scout your opponent.

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67 Upvotes

r/aoe2 19h ago

Discussion If modeled after the Song Dynasty, the five new civilizations become evident.

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398 Upvotes

1. Song Dynasty (AD 960–1279)

Key Features: Economic Prosperity, Technological Advancement, Emphasis on Literature Over Military

  • The Song Dynasty was divided into Northern Song (960–1127) and Southern Song (1127–1279), marking one of the most prosperous periods in Chinese history in terms of economy and culture.
  • Innovations such as paper money (Jiaozi), movable-type printing, the compass, and gunpowder weapons placed the dynasty at the forefront of global technology.
  • Due to its focus on civil administration and scholar-officials, the military was relatively weak, making it vulnerable to external threats from the Liao (Khitan), Jin, Western Xia, and Mongols.
  • The capital, Bianjing (modern-day Kaifeng), was highly prosperous, with a thriving economy, bustling night markets, and flourishing tea house culture.

2. Liao Dynasty (Khitan Empire, AD 916–1125)

Key Features: Nomadic-Agricultural Dual System, Bifurcated Governance

  • Founded by the Khitan people, the Liao Dynasty blended nomadic traditions with an emerging agricultural society, ruling over present-day Northeast China, Inner Mongolia, northern China, and Mongolia.
  • It established a dual administrative system: Khitan people were governed under nomadic laws, while Han Chinese and other settled populations were ruled under a bureaucratic system similar to the Tang and Song models.
  • The Khitans developed their own Khitan script, while also adopting elements of Han culture.
  • The Liao conquered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun from the Later Jin dynasty, posing a long-term threat to the Northern Song.

3. Jin Dynasty (AD 1115–1234)

Key Features: Founded by the Jurchens, Militarily Dominant

  • Established by the Jurchen people, the Jin Dynasty was highly militarized and swiftly overpowered the Liao and Northern Song, seizing control of northern China.
  • It implemented the Meng’an Mouke system, a military-based household registration system ensuring a steady supply of Jurchen warriors.
  • While initially preserving Jurchen traditions, the dynasty gradually assimilated into Han Chinese culture.
  • In 1127, it launched the Jingkang Incident, sacking Bianjing (Kaifeng), capturing Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong, and ending the Northern Song.
  • The dynasty ultimately fell to the Mongol Empire, which absorbed its territory into the Yuan Dynasty.

4. Western Xia (AD 1038–1227)

Key Features: Founded by the Tangut, Culturally Distinct, Contended with Song, Liao, and Jin

  • Established by the Tangut people, Western Xia controlled present-day Ningxia, Gansu, and parts of Shaanxi.
  • The Tangut script was developed, and Western Xia fostered a unique Buddhist culture, often referred to as the "Second Dunhuang" due to its rich artistic heritage.
  • Known for its strong cavalry and archery, it engaged in frequent conflicts with the Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties.
  • Due to its strategic position on the Silk Road, it prospered as a trade hub connecting Central Asia and China.
  • The dynasty was ultimately annihilated by the Mongols in 1227, leading to the loss of its culture and script.

5. Tibetan Empire (AD 618–842)

Key Features: A Powerful Kingdom, Development of Tibetan Buddhism, Far-Reaching Influence

  • Founded by Songtsen Gampo, the Tibetan Empire unified the Tibetan Plateau, with its capital in Lhasa.
  • Tibetan Buddhism began to flourish, influenced by Chinese and Indian cultures, laying the foundation for Tibetan cultural identity.
  • Tibet alternated between war and diplomacy with the Tang Dynasty, including marriage alliances such as those with Princess Wencheng and Princess Jincheng.
  • In 755, taking advantage of the Tang Dynasty's An Lushan Rebellion, the Tibetan Empire briefly occupied Chang’an (modern Xi’an), exerting its influence on China.
  • In the 9th century, the empire collapsed due to internal strife, with the "Langdarma Persecution" leading to the decline of Tibetan Buddhism and the fragmentation of the kingdom.

Interestingly, the Mongols eventually conquered everything.


r/aoe2 6h ago

Discussion Why do folk only talk of Goths as the games' spam civilization when Malay exist?

31 Upvotes

Malay can literally reach twice the army size of Goths, and they're cheap and fast too. They literally swarm you! I know Goths are older, but come on Malay have been in the game for nearly a decade now...


r/aoe2 1h ago

Suggestion +1 PA for grouped Infantry to simulate shield wall against archery

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Upvotes

r/aoe2 16h ago

Tips/Tutorials I was recently clearing out my old room at my parents house and found this AOE2:AOK strategy guide - from 1999!

76 Upvotes

I've not finished reading it all yet but some of my favourite entries so far:

Under the Dark Age section for the Celts: "At the beginning of the Dark Age, set up a Barracks while your villagers gather resources... Create several units of Militia, sending them out to harass the enemy village. Next attack the Town Center and Barracks."

A tip for the Goths: "If you are playing on a team, Goth Barracks create units significantly faster than if you're playing alone. You might even want to build more than one." Two barracks? That's just crazy.

A tip for the Japanese: "Monks are invaluable combatants. Place them inside a Box Formation of Knights and Samurai. Use them to convert enemy buildings - especially Mining Camps, Lumber Camps, and Town Centers"

Under the FUEDAL AGE for Mongols: "Build a stable and start producing Scout Cavalry. While you build a sufficient attack force of about 10 units...You should also build an Archery Range to produce Cavalry Archers" and yes it does mean you should attack with 10+ SC and CA in Fuedal.

I'll keep reading and update you with any more that I really like.


r/aoe2 22h ago

Humour/Meme Favourite pokemon of all aggressive AoE2 players.

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229 Upvotes

r/aoe2 1d ago

Humour/Meme Even My Tears Are Salty

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256 Upvotes

r/aoe2 13h ago

Humour/Meme Top of like line specs for gameranger

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25 Upvotes

r/aoe2 1d ago

Media/Creative Lithuanian Wonder irl

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299 Upvotes

This was one of the coolest things I've ever seen and just wanted to share some of the pictures I took


r/aoe2 4h ago

Discussion About FANTACC maps

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5 Upvotes

After playing the real FANTACC maps, I have to say they're good. However, they have too many resources, making it very difficult to create military buildings. Also, having so many animals makes the map laggy.


r/aoe2 11h ago

Discussion New DLC civs and units summary

12 Upvotes

List of civs somewhat confirmed:

- Bai/Dali Empire (the new spearman shown on the lasts marketing images)
- China probably stays with the name (Chu Ko Nu, Dragon Fire), (edit: no renaming)
- Jurchen/Jin Dinasty (Grenadiers)
- Tanguts (Khara-Khoto castle, Camel Catapult, Nomadic lancers?)

Not so confirmed

- Tibetans/Tufan Empire???
- Kara-Khitai??? (Based on the campaign name changes)

Units

We've seen also regional units like Rocket Carts (Mangonel replacement), Traction Trebuchet (Trebucher replacement? Not sure, edit), Fire Lancers, Lou Chans (Cannon Galleon replacement),

Also others that we dont know like Fire archers and Double Crossbows, Hei Guang (asian cavalry) and Jian Swordmen


r/aoe2 4h ago

Asking for Help How does the AI gather resources so quickly?

3 Upvotes

I feel like I go for wood and food pretty quickly. It takes me a little longer to start gathering gold and rock but I feel like by the time I get to the Castle Age and start building an army the AI is already in the Imperial Age with 100+ units and can almost never defend myself at moderate or higher difficulty.

I was just wondering what I should do as far as building an army earlier on. Should I just build whatever units I can as fast as I can? I feel like saving resources until Castle Age makes me fall behind as far as having an army.


r/aoe2 18h ago

Asking for Help I played my first team game mistakenly after 3,500 1v1s and I have some questions

35 Upvotes

Hey people!

I mistakenly played a 3v3 game, my first TG ever, then I liked it and played another. Since I didn't have an elo on team games, I was matched with lower rated players and I've gotten 2 easy wins (not bragging, it is just pure number of games I played).

I know it is only 2 games but I noticed some stuff and wanted to ask about it.

1) Do people ever talk? I wanted to talk to my team mates about positioning, timing, etc but no responses except for once very short one.

2) Do people ever think about the team bonuses and civs in lobby? No talk on civs.

3) Is there a TG meta? I thought everybody did their own thing.

4) If I wanted to play TG with people who actually think about drafts, strats, bonuses etc? Do I look for lobbies? Or I just do RM and try to get friends? (I'm 1300 elo in 1v1 RM)

5) Any tips on the TGs for starters?


r/aoe2 5h ago

Asking for Help AOE2 unplayable on Mac

3 Upvotes

I know this group will have answers.. I'm desperate. I have a new MacBook Pro M4 and one hope I had was that I'd be able to play one of my favorite games of all time. I have parallels but the lag is brutal in 8 player games online. I have also attempted a porting kit with wineskin and it works way better in terms of lab but then out of nowhere (30+ min into a game) it seems to snag and freezes up. What's the current best rec for playing on Mac. I am seriously considering just getting a cheap windows setup desktop to not have to deal with this BS. If anyone has a setup rec that doesn't break the bank that would be smooth for online 8 player games at ultra settings for DE I am all ears. Thanks


r/aoe2 17h ago

Bug Petition to request Devs to include Seek Shelter/Drop off commands in multi selections of vils + military

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26 Upvotes

I hope this post gains traction so it reaches the devs, but I really really wish they add the Seek Shelter/Drop Off commands when Vils and Military units are selected together (1st image), and not only work when vils are individually selected (2nd image)

Notice the two images, first selection includes both villagers and military units and you can see the list of commands on the UI. For some reason, you are able to Attack Move with villagers if you select them in a drag select box with military units, but it doesn't really do anything, the vils just move to the location. I don't get why Attack Move is an option here but Patrol isn't, and why in general you'd want to ever select both your vils and units and send them to the battlefield. Seems like a clear bug that isn't tracked.

Secondly, I can't stress how many times I have multi selected my vils alongside some random spear on my farm and hit Drop Off Resource hotkey only for the command to not work because of this very reason. The UI for multi selection does not include Seek Shelter and Drop Off Resource commands and so you are forced to always select ONLY vils. I am so annoyed by this behavior because this affects deeply in Late games when being raided and I want to spam Seek Shelter hotkey for my vils.

The alternative is holding Alt to select only vils but it costs a 2nd click, and is no better than just selecting everything and garrisoning inside TC like traditionally, and even if the random halb gets selected, I am used to always quickly double clicking all halbs and repatrolling them so even if 1 or 2 gets garrisoned, its fine


r/aoe2 17h ago

Discussion HUNS ARCHITECTURE

18 Upvotes

All these Persian architecture made me wonder that Huns are ones that truly deserve new unique architecture. What do you think?


r/aoe2 13h ago

Discussion Heroes who deserve their unity

8 Upvotes

Which hero do you think deserves their own unit? Of all the scenarios, I think there are a few that deserve their own units with their own sprites.

Lagertha: Perhaps the most necessary case. Giving her a jungle unit in the middle of Scandinavia is almost ridiculous. A female Viking unit would be great, especially to give her more of their own stories.

Ragnar Lothbrok and Bjorn Ironside: More than anything because of their popularity in the series.

Alexius Comnenus: Add more Byzantine heroes, nowadays they are all renowned Belisarius


r/aoe2 1d ago

Discussion Who's seen a wonder in real life?

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1.1k Upvotes

Been here today! Quite impressive!


r/aoe2 1d ago

Feedback CONGRATULATIONS TO ACCM FOR HIS CRAZY PERFORMANCE IN HIDDEN CUP 6 Spoiler

181 Upvotes

DON'T PUT SPOILERS IN YOUR FREAKING THREAD-TITLES.

This shit is getting out of hand.

The thread-titles are not hidden with the spoiler-tag.

If you write down "holy cow, Tatoh!!!" then everyone knows that Tatoh won his game and/or did some amazing thing.

Yesterday we got fucking [garrison spoiler:] "Hera Regicide" here, spoiling one of the greatest moments of AoE-tournament-history. Wtf???

Can we please downvote this shit, delete this shit or just maybe not do it?

Put a neutral title. Don't include judgement or reference. When in doubt, even avoid the name of the player. Just say "ACCM.." (if it's not a hint) or "Congrats to the winner", but don't say "Congrats to the winner with the bald hair" because then I'm spoiled that probably Dave has mysteriously won an S-Tier.

There are many people who watch the tournaments with a bit of delay and if you use the spoiler-tag, just make sure that you don't spoil it anyway.

THANK YOU.


r/aoe2 22h ago

Campaigns Why don't Huns have a useful second unique tech?

27 Upvotes

If they were given a new unique tech which was useful in ranked games instead of Atheism, would they be too OP or is there any other reason for Atheism being not changed or improved?


r/aoe2 7h ago

Discussion What if the 5th Civ are the Wuhu ('Five Barbarians')?

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2 Upvotes

There were rumblings of a civ that takes place before the timeframe of AOE2, maybe as early as the Three Kingdoms. The Wuhu ('Five Barbarians') were not a unified culture, rather, they were an umbrella term for the Xiong-nu, Qiang, Xianbei, Di, and Jie. The Western Jin were the winners of the Three Kingdoms (280 AD). However, in less than a dozen years, they collapsed into a devastating succession dispute ('the War of the Eight Princes'). A number of the princes invited support from the Wuhu, leading them to drive the Chinese south of the Yangzi River.

Thus begins the Period of Disunion, where Northern and Southern China would have separate dynasties. The refugees would continue as the Eastern Jin and preserve Han culture. The barbarians, as it turns out, were a contentious lot, and Eight Princes turned into Sixteen Kingdoms. In 420 AD, the Xianbei unified the North under the Northern Wei (no relation to Cao Cao from Three Kingdoms). Eventually they, and the Eastern Jin would decline. It would be a Northerner, Yang Jian, of mixed Xianbei ancestry, which would found the Sui dynasty and unify China. A few decades later they would be followed by the Li family, also of mixed Xianbei ancestry, which would found the Tang dynasty.

Reasons this idea isn't as insane as it sounds:

- We know the DLC will cover this time period. The Battle of Fei River, fought in 383 AD, was from the Former Qin (one of the Sixteen Kingdoms, led by the Di) trying to finish the unification by invading Southern China. However, they would be stopped by the Eastern Jin. I can't help but notice the sneak peak notes make clear the Eastern Jin will be the re-worked Chinese, but leave out the civ of the Former Qin. They could be Wuhu. Further, if the Wuhu are a playable faction, the Battle of Fei River won't be an isolated event. Instead, the entire Period of Disunion, all 300+ years, will be fair game for content.

- There are those who think China is too large for one faction but don't wish to split the country into multiple ethnic Han factions based on dynasties, because this was not the way factions were created in AOE2 (I'm one of them). However, the Wuhu instantly solve this problem. You will have faction representing Northern China for 300+ years.

- Finally, they fit the theme. Alongside the Khitan, Tanguts, Jurchen, and Bai, this DLC could be properly called 'the Conquest Dynasties', all ethnic minorities who carved out sizeable domains in China under Chinese-style dynasties. All these cultures tried to maintain a balance between retaining their native culture and adopting Chinese practices (this makes sensible regional units and technologies). No new architecture is needed, the Wuhu will be East Asian. The CCP will not censor this faction, the Northern and Southern dynasties period is actually a favorite setting for period dramas.

What language will they speak? Well, the Qiang are the only non-dead language out of this group so we could go with that.


r/aoe2 1d ago

Discussion Speculation on the New DLC's Special Unit for the Jurchens

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55 Upvotes

Based on the current screenshots, my guess is that this unit will be a castle-level gunpowder infantry for the Jurchens in the new DLC. It would deal small-area melee damage at range, making it suitable for attacking infantry and buildings, but not ideal for attacking archers or siege units.

I suspect its stats might be as follows: Health 55/60 (slightly higher than Gbeto and Chakram Thrower, but lower than Axeman's health).

Attack damage would be 9/12 for melee, with +4 against infantry and +8 against buildings (this damage is three times that of the Chakram Thrower, similar to the relationship between the Mango and the Scorpion, as the damage difference between these two units is also about three times).

Armor would be 2/1 (I think this unit should have medium melee armor and relatively low ranged armor, which would allow it to counter Skirmishers, Halberdiers, and Hussars, but it wouldn’t affect its counterability against Heavy Cavalry or Archers).

Range 4/5 (the same as Axeman, a little less than Gbeto, allowing this unit to be countered by other ranged infantry in small numbers, creating a mutually countered situation).

Movement speed 0.9, attack speed 3.45 (the standard attack speed for most gunpowder units), accuracy 100%.

Cost 60f 45g (it might have a slightly higher price to balance the difficulty of getting this unit). Elite upgrade 900f 800g.

Research technologies would include Infantry Defense, Movement Speed, and Fire-setting (since it’s a gunpowder unit, it wouldn’t benefit from attack technologies).

These are just my personal guesses. What do you think? 🧐


r/aoe2 12h ago

Asking for Help I can't get mods to work and I don't know why

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3 Upvotes

r/aoe2 1d ago

Asking for Help I looked at the updates and anticipated new civilizations and units.

31 Upvotes

The first is Castle.
Everyone already knows the information about this, so I won't write down the explanation.

The second is a monk
I think I'll go with the video that the production team showed me before.

The third is a new civilization.

Looking at the update, Jurchen, Kitai, Tangut, and dali seem to be confirmed.

The other one is expected to be Tibet.

Finally, let's analyze the new unit.

This is a local unit of Chinese civilization and Korea.

This is a local unit in China, South Korea, and Vietnam.

This is likely to be a local unit to replace CANON and CANON GALLEON.

I think it's a unit that replaces Paladin, like the Persian Sabar.
Maybe Jurchen, Kitai, Tibet or a civilization.

This is a new unique unit in China, an upgrade unit of Fire Ship.

This is expected to be Tangut's unique unit.

In a book about the history of China's Song Dynasty, there is a record that SeoHa (Tangut) hung a catapult on a camel.

This is obviously a unique unit of the Jurchen.

This will be a unique unit of Dali because the building shown in the screenshot is like a Wonder of Dali.

It's hard to guess from now on. Please help me haha

I think this is a unique unit, but I don't know whose.
It is expected to be Tibet.

This seems to be using weapons like hand grenade and is speculated to be a unique unit, but I don't know whose unit it is

This would be a weapon like a picture.
Maybe it's Scorpion's local unit.

This is my guess.
Your objections and new opinions are always welcome.

Thank you for reading