Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is a refined celebration of one of the most iconic real-time strategy (RTS) franchises in gaming history. With updated civilizations, expanded campaigns, balance changes, and quality-of-life improvements, this edition offers players a modern yet faithful experience of medieval strategy.
But as rich as the game is, new players and even veterans often find themselves overwhelmed by the many systems, units, and strategies. Success requires more than building armies—you must manage resources, expand territories, and adapt tactics against different civilizations. This guide will take you step by step, showing you how to play, improve, and eventually dominate Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
Understanding the Basics of Age of Empires IV
Before diving into complex strategies, you must learn the basics. The Anniversary Edition builds upon the original release but introduces new civilizations, expanded balance, and refined visuals. Players choose from diverse factions like the English, Mongols, Rus, and Ottomans, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.
The game is structured around Ages, which represent technological progress. Advancing through them unlocks new units, buildings, and strategic options. The sooner you understand the rhythm of progression, the smoother your gameplay will become. Remember, the fundamentals—gathering food, wood, gold, and stone—are at the heart of every victory.
How to Get Started as a Beginner
Starting out can be intimidating, but the Anniversary Edition offers tutorials and campaigns designed for newcomers. Begin by playing through the campaigns; they teach not only history but also mechanics like resource management, military tactics, and defense building.
When trying skirmish matches, pick a beginner-friendly civilization such as the English. They excel in straightforward defensive and economic play, allowing you to practice fundamentals without being punished too heavily for mistakes.
Beginner Tips
- Focus on building villagers constantly.
- Don’t idle your Town Center; production is your lifeline.
- Learn to scout early—information is power.
How to Manage Resources Efficiently
Resource management is the backbone of Age of Empires IV. The four main resources—food, wood, gold, and stone—fuel every action. Mismanaging them leads to stalled production, weak armies, or delayed Age progression.
In the early game, prioritize food and wood. Food fuels villager creation, while wood builds your economy. Gold becomes crucial when advancing to later Ages or training advanced units. Stone is less urgent early but important for fortifications and landmarks.
1: Balancing the Economy
Always aim for a balanced economy. Overinvesting in one resource creates bottlenecks. Shift villagers as needed depending on your goals—whether it’s advancing to the next Age or preparing for a rush.
2: Economic Upgrades
Research upgrades like Wheelbarrow and Double Broadaxe as soon as possible. These boosts compound over time, giving you long-term efficiency that can decide close matches.
How to Advance Through the Ages
Progressing through Ages is not just about unlocking new technologies—it’s about timing. Advancing too early with weak defenses leaves you vulnerable, while delaying too long puts you behind opponents in tech and units.
The Anniversary Edition gives each civilization unique landmarks that shape strategy. For example, the English may prioritize defensive structures, while the Chinese benefit from economic multipliers. Learning when and why to age up is crucial for tailoring strategies to your chosen faction.
Tips for Timing Age Progression
- Age up once you have at least a basic defensive army.
- Plan your Age advancement around your enemy’s timing.
- Use the landmark’s unique benefit to shift momentum in your favor.
How to Build Strong Defenses
Defenses are vital, especially in the early and mid-game. Without proper fortifications, raids can cripple your economy before your army matures. Walls, towers, and garrisons can buy you precious time.
However, over-investing in defenses can slow your expansion. The key is balance—enough to protect your villagers while still leaving resources for an army. Think of defenses as insurance, not your main strategy.
Defensive Checklist
- Build walls to funnel enemy troops.
- Position towers near resources.
- Always garrison villagers during raids to minimize losses.
How to Train and Command Armies
Military management is where Age of Empires IV shines. Each civilization has unique units, so understanding their strengths is essential. For example, Mongols excel at mobility with cavalry, while the English thrive with longbowmen.
Commanding armies effectively requires formation, positioning, and knowing when to engage. Avoid sending units piecemeal—always group them strategically. Flanking with cavalry, protecting archers with infantry, and using siege weapons correctly can swing battles in your favor.
1: Unit Composition
Mixing units ensures balance. Relying only on one type, like cavalry, makes you vulnerable to counters such as spearmen. Learn the “rock-paper-scissors” mechanics of unit matchups.
2: Micro and Macro Skills
Micro means controlling individual units effectively during battles, while macro refers to managing your economy and production. Mastering both is key to success.
How to Adapt Strategies Against Civilizations
Every civilization plays differently, and so should you. Knowing how to counter your opponent’s strengths is essential. The Anniversary Edition balances factions carefully, but counters still exist.
For example, when facing the Mongols, prepare for fast cavalry raids by building early defenses. Against the Rus, who thrive on hunting, consider denying them access to deer. Adapting strategies mid-game separates average players from masters.
Civilization Counter Tips
- Use spearmen to counter cavalry-heavy civilizations.
- Deploy siege weapons against heavily fortified opponents.
- Disrupt economic bonuses unique to each faction.
How to Use Diplomacy and Multiplayer Tactics
In multiplayer, diplomacy adds another layer of strategy. Forming temporary alliances can help eliminate a common threat, but betrayal is always around the corner. Manage trust carefully and prepare for backstabs.
Multiplayer also emphasizes speed and adaptation. Human opponents are less predictable than AI, so scout continuously, adjust strategies, and never get complacent. The Anniversary Edition makes online matches smoother, giving you a competitive platform to test your skills.
Multiplayer Survival Tips
- Scout constantly—knowledge prevents surprises.
- Keep reserves of troops to respond to sudden attacks.
- Don’t trust alliances blindly; always prepare for betrayal.
How to Improve Through Practice and Analysis
Like any RTS, mastery comes with practice. Play regularly, experiment with different civilizations, and reflect on your losses. Every defeat teaches you something valuable—whether it’s a missed timing, poor economy, or weak defense.
Watching replays is an excellent way to learn. The Anniversary Edition includes tools to review games, helping you spot mistakes and improve. Additionally, studying pro matches gives insight into high-level strategies you can adapt for your own gameplay.
1: Continuous Improvement
- Focus on one civilization until you master it.
- Set small goals each match, like improving resource balance.
- Join communities to share strategies and learn faster.
How to Transition from Beginner to Master
Becoming a master takes dedication, but the Anniversary Edition provides the perfect platform. As you improve, focus on refining small details—perfect scouting routes, efficient villager distribution, and sharper army micro.
Over time, you’ll develop an instinct for when to attack, defend, or expand. Mastery is about adaptability—reading the game, predicting opponents, and executing strategies with precision.
Final Mastery Checklist
- Master economy balance.
- Learn each civilization’s strengths and counters.
- Develop both micro and macro management skills.
Conclusion
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition is not just a nostalgic celebration—it’s a modern, competitive, and endlessly rewarding RTS experience. By learning the basics, mastering resource management, advancing strategically, building strong defenses, and adapting against diverse civilizations, you can steadily rise from a beginner to a seasoned strategist.
Remember that mastery doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey of practice, reflection, and smart decision-making. With patience and dedication, you can command armies, forge empires, and leave your mark on the battlefield of Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition.
