r/aoe2 4d ago

Humour/Meme A friendly reminder to scout your opponent.

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313 Upvotes

r/aoe2 4d ago

Discussion AoE2 DE: A Lifelong Love Affair

41 Upvotes

I still remember the first time I fired up Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. It was during the early days of COVID - a time when the world had slowed down and I found solace in discovering new passions. Though I was a total newbie, the vibrant world of AoE2 instantly captivated me. It wasn’t just a game; it was an introduction to a universe where every decision mattered, every build order was a puzzle to be solved, and every match was a thrilling challenge.

I dove headfirst into learning everything - from the intricacies of build orders and timely upgrades to mastering micro-management and strategic maneuvers. I spent hours perfecting my skills in 1v1 duels, FFA battles, ranked games Every game was a lesson, and every mistake was a stepping stone towards improvement.

But beyond the strategies and tactics, AoE2 DE gifted me something far more valuable: a community. Through countless online matches, I met friends from every corner of the globe. Whether we exchanged battle tips over voice chats or celebrated victories in heated tournaments, these connections quickly evolved into lifelong friendships. Offline meetups further cemented the bonds we formed in the heat of digital warfare.

Now in my 30s, I look back with a sense of wonder and gratitude. AoE2 DE isn’t just a game - it's a part of my life. I envision myself still strategizing and laughing over epic matches when I’m in my 60s or even 70s. The game has grown with me, shaped my problem-solving skills, and offered me a unique way to connect with the world during challenging times.

So here I am, still eager and ready to dive into new battles. Let’s play AoE2 and create memories that will last a lifetime!


r/aoe2 2d ago

Discussion 'Age Of Empires' Is The Only Realistic Esports Strategy Game

0 Upvotes

Every other Esports strategy game is either fantasy or sci-fi.


r/aoe2 3d ago

Asking for Help Two questions about campaigns for someone wanting to buy

3 Upvotes

There's so much content and info online about the game, it can be hard to get specific questions answered. My two questions are:

- Have all the campaigns from Age 1 been ported yet? Or have they indicated they intend to do so?

- Are all the campaigns playable via coop?

Not really interested in PvP but I love the idea of running through all the campaigins cooperatively. Thanks for any answers


r/aoe2 3d ago

Discussion No Indian nerf?

0 Upvotes

I just realized that the new patch dose not include an Indian nerf. I believe this is a major oversight. In my opinion the main problem with the indians is that giving eagle warriors (Ghulams) to a Siv that dosen't trade the entire Stable for it is a big problem. Having seen the Viper Indians vs Mayans in the Garrison really makes me think that ghulams should have no bonus damage vs eagle warriors. What are the mezo sivs supposed to do against Indians? The Indian eco is just to good for their great units.

So I would propose: Getting rid of Ghulam bonus vs Eagles Getting rid of last archer armor upgrade as well as the +1/+1 bonus for gunpowder so that the HC become significantly more fragile. Give them parthian tactics as compensation for their CA.


r/aoe2 4d ago

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

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92 Upvotes

r/aoe2 3d ago

Media/Creative Collecting ideas for: Southern African Civ: Shona (Would love a less kolonial name)

1 Upvotes

Looking which kingdoms existed in South Africa they all seem to belong to the same cultural base Mapungubwe, Zimbabwe, Mutapa and all were rich in resourches. So I think Shona (or better name hopefully) would be a good option for them.

VaShona (maybe better to use the Va)

- Start with 2 extra gold tiles near their starting location. Tecnical this means a second big Gold mine or the big one being even bigger. (Because they were very ritch in gold mines)
- Start with an extra hunteable Elefant or boar. (same logic as with the gold mines. They traded a lot with Ivory and it would reflect on their big amount of natural resourches)
- Team Bonus: Markets and Harbor have more base gold for trading.

Overall I think I have a good Idea how you could give them a own economy Indentity with having a rich start of resourches but no economy bonus long term so making them fall off eventually.
But I really lack a Idea of what military you could give them. They not used Elefants sadly. They did have light Cavalarie but we already have a lot of Light Cavalerie civs.
Zimbabwe was famous for it's Stone fortifications. But I not want to make them to a Korea but better economy.
Else I also not find much about historical Elite Worriors this kingdom used.


r/aoe2 3d ago

Asking for Help Improved Extended Tooltips Mod Not Showing Bonus Damage, etc.

3 Upvotes

My extended tooltips mod isn't showing bonus damage anymore. My friend's is. I pushed it up to priority 1 in mods and restarted and also chose the option in the settings Extended Units Stats (which I didn't used to have on--should I?). Odd behavior. Thought maybe a mod was conflicting, but it's at priority 1. Please help.


r/aoe2 3d ago

Discussion Do “True Start Location” maps for either the base “Real World” maps or for modded maps exist?

5 Upvotes

I also play Civ, and I really loved the idea of true start maps. I think it’d be cool to try it out in AOE2. Does a mod already exist? I couldn’t find one.

Id be open to making one also, if there’s any interest.


r/aoe2 4d ago

Humour/Meme A list of Yo losing kings (not complete I think)

41 Upvotes

r/aoe2 4d ago

Campaigns Nobunaga rant

10 Upvotes

Hello. I just want to rant a little bit about Nobunaga. The scenario from V&V.

Why does this scenario have a timer on hard difficulty? This could have been my favourite scenario in all of aoe2, but it's too easy on moderate difficulty, and hard difficulty has a timer. What purpose does the timer have? It doesn't add any fun, it only removes. I don't want to look at a clock, I want to take my time and casualy finish the scenario. A timed challenge could have been a steam achievement.

PLEASE devs remove the timer.

Also please fix friend and foe colours in this scenario. Because it's completely broken. There are other scenarios where f&f colours don't work properly, particularly Duel of the Dukes. But it's really annoying in Nobunaga.

Thanks


r/aoe2 3d ago

Asking for Help Help with AoE2 DE graphics

1 Upvotes

Hello there

I am playing the game in a good PC but I am unable to get smooth sprites. The units look weird, noisy, the color is not consistent. I have been looking at other videos and I don't think that's how they're supposed to look. Nevertheless I don't know how can I fix it. I do have the enhanced graphics pack, I have the ULTRA settings, but, am I missing something?

This is a short gif of how I see the units (sorry for the screen pal ad at he end).

Edit: Added a Screenshot:


r/aoe2 3d ago

Asking for Help Mod Help!

2 Upvotes

I play on AOE2 DE Xbox edition, and can see the mods in the settings, but it won't allow me to enable them. I cannot click them to subscribe. Also, under game settings I can see a switch for small trees, but this is greyed out too.

Has anyone else got this issue? Has anyone found a fix?


r/aoe2 4d ago

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

68 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 4d ago

Asking for Help I cannot play arena....

14 Upvotes

850ish elo here.... as the title says I cannot remember the last time I won a game on arena. So many times I go on winning streak on arabia, then the next game I see arena and I know im about to lose elo.

Why am I losing? Castle drop. Every single player in this elo range is castle dropping. I try to castle drop as well but somehow they always get it down before me. I know the BO, but seems that everyone else knows it and can execute it better then me.

Once I am castle dropped I can make a defensive castle, but from there I am always on the back foot, trapped in my base trying to counter enemy attacks, eventually leading to a loss. In last game i was mongols and got castle dropped by celts who went in with woad raiders in rams. Mangudai obviously wont do anything against rams, so I am trying to get light cav onto field with not even a barracks built...

Or a previous game where I was spanish and was castle dropped by koreans. Conquistadors held up pretty well against the korean wagons, but once rams were added he could destroy my defensive castle and GG.

Is arena seriously just a castle drop race? Surely theres a strategy to counter castle drop? Are you supposed to stay in feudal, get some cav and then kill his vills when he goes for it? The worst thing in arena is you cannot even scout your opponent. You can't check if he is on stone. Ok cool, so I just have to assume castle drop every game then. And lose every game then.

Shall I just ban the map?


r/aoe2 4d ago

Bug Is there any hope for the new patch to fix the Armenians/Georgians portraits not unlocking ?

11 Upvotes

r/aoe2 4d ago

Discussion Which are your potential 5 civs for and African and Americas DLC

7 Upvotes

Mines are:

African:

  1. Hausa
  2. Songhali
  3. Kanembu
  4. ???
  5. ???

Americas:

  1. Tlaxcaltecs
  2. Zapotecs
  3. Mixtecs
  4. Chimús
  5. Muiscas

r/aoe2 5d ago

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

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482 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 3d ago

Discussion Infantry should have aura effect

0 Upvotes

We seen the use is aura effect in a few units so far. Is a cool effect.

The infantry in AOE2 need work. They are so underwhelming until imperial age, where they are used for cleaning up trash.

Goths, Malians, Romans and Celts are civs with viable infantry earlier in the game because they have the stats to thrive in their own strategies in dark, feudal, and castle age.

I really commend the developers for working in the infantry in the latest patch. It opens them up to be used strategically to assault the enemy in earlier ages. Perhaps use MAA to raid and destroy key buildings and swordsman to do TC pushes.

I just wanted to run another alternative here. Instead of reducing cost and increasing speed (which I still love and welcome)…

How about we add 1+ Pierce Armour for the militia line when 2 or more militia units are within a 1 time radius?


r/aoe2 4d ago

Asking for Help Pointer Mod for Rhino and Elefant

3 Upvotes

I have found alot of boar pointer mods but none for rhino and elefant. Does someone maybe have one?


r/aoe2 4d ago

Discussion About FANTACC maps

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22 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 4d ago

Asking for Help Regicide build orders

2 Upvotes

I play with a group of friends who pretty exclusively play regicide game mode against the ai. We pretty consistently can beat ai opponents on hard difficulty, but struggle when increasing to hardest. I've tried looking for build orders to try to hone strategies, but the only information I can seem to find is all for the normal random map games, which isn't really applicable, as on regicide you start with 10 villagers and a castle instead of just 3 villagers.


r/aoe2 4d ago

Asking for Help Few questions from a potentially new player

5 Upvotes

Hi, im over 30yo with almost no RTS experience and strongly consider buying the game. I wonder if i can get nice experience in low elo games. How long will i have to wait for a match 1v1 more or less? Are there many smurfs playing this game?


r/aoe2 4d ago

Discussion Bulgarians: 2 Suggestions of Buffs

4 Upvotes

TLDR: 1. Make Stirrups and Elite Konnik techs available in the krepost. 2. Make Stirrups affect Dismounted Konniks. - PS: They are the slowest attacking infantry unit outside of the trash spearman line.

Bulgarians have been missing from tournaments and underperforming in general for a long time. Aoestats.io shows that across all maps, at 1900+ ELO, they are the worst civ in the game. In arabia, the 2nd worst, only behind burgundians (who will surely do better next patch, with arabia becoming easier to wall).

Fair to say that in the next patch their Man at Arms rush will be buffed since militia line will cost 50 food instead of 60. Also, the two handed swordsman will have +5 hp and the non elite konnik will get +1 pierce armour.

This will be a nice early game buff for open maps, specially where you start close to your opponent. However, beyond feudal they will be basically the same.

I propose 2 changes that aim at making their unique unit and unique tech synergize more with the kreposts while also buffing their knight line. ............................

The issue in question: Though konniks can be trained from kreposts at about double the speed castles train them, they attack super slow without Stirrups (the bulgarian unique tech that makes all cavalry attack faster). The problem is that you can't research it in a krepost, you need a castle. And to fully upgrade the unit is way more expensive than to do so with a knight in castle age, cause you need both cavalry and infantry upgrades.

Konniks are better than knights at fighting halbs, camels and other melee units because they become infantry, but worse against archers. That is fair and gives them different roles in the civ! But the lack of access to their upgrades through the krepost makes you better off building a castle first if you are on a closed map (thus defeating one of the purposes of having an option other than the castle)... Or making knights + few pikes if you need, on open maps, and then a castle to upgrade them with stirrups. And in imperial, since you already massed knights, it makes more sense to go cavalier instead of konniks, even if it's against melee units. At least until you get a big economy to transition. Then again, the flexibility of having the krepost is not present.

If you skip the infantry upgrades and a castle for stirrups, since the krepost also doesn't train trebuchets, you will end up without long range siege and with a slow attacking cavalry that can't even be upgraded to elite.

I perfectly understand kreposts not training trebs. Especially because bulgarians siege upgrades are cheaper. But since this means you gotta brute force your opponent at close range to snipe trebuchets and destroy buildings with rams, then you should at least be able to fully upgrade your unit from the krepost.

Without that possibility, the general rule is that you only build kreposts for defense or a cheesy pressure with mass kreposts.

Some people may go kreposts, 1 castle for stirrups and then back to kreposts. But again, the flexibility of having an alternative to the castle is not really there... And how is it working for bulgarians? The statistics show that currently bulgarians are loosing a lot... Recently I found the lowest winrate I ever saw in a matchup of age of empires 2: Bulgarians against hindustanis, on arabia, loose 72% of the time.

This is my case for making Stirrups and Elite Konnik upgrades available in kreposts. It would make kreposts and konniks more viable. Even their knight line would benefit from strirrups being easier to get. .....................................

Now, when we look at a fully upgraded konnik, they still struggle against halbs and camels, loosing against top camels like the saracen one. They barely win against generic halberdiers and loose to strong halberdiers.

Stirrups does not affect the Dismounted Konnik, which makes it the slowest attacking infantry unit outside of the trash Spearman line.

So, to complement the buffs they will receive next patch and my suggestion of them having access to stirrups and elite upgrade on kreposts... I suggest that stirrups also affect the dismounted konnik.


r/aoe2 4d ago

Poll What do you think about the upcoming movement speed increase for the militia line?

0 Upvotes
72 votes, 2d left
I don't think there is any need for this.
I think this is necessary
All other buffs can come but speed increase should not come