The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Age of Empires 3

by Fernando Diaz / Game Guides, General Guides / 17 May 2020

Age of Empires III is a classic real-time strategy game that has captivated players for over a decade. In this game, you’ll take control of one of several civilizations and lead them to greatness through military might, economic prowess, and technological advancement. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the franchise, these tips will help you on your journey to becoming a true conqueror. So without further ado, let’s dive in and explore some of the key strategies and tactics that will help you dominate the battlefield and emerge victorious in AOE III.

Use hotkeys and control groups

One of the most important things you can do to improve your gameplay in Age of Empires 3 is to become proficient at using hotkeys and control groups. This will allow you to quickly access and control different units and buildings, which can make a big difference in the heat of battle. Some key hotkeys to remember include:

F1-F10 keys can be used to select control groups of units or buildings. To create a control group, select the units or buildings you want to include, then press one of the F1-F10 keys to assign them to that group. You can then quickly select the entire group by pressing the corresponding hotkey.

The “Shift” key allows you to select multiple units at once. This can be useful for organizing your units or issuing orders to multiple units at once. Shift + F1-F10 combinations can be used to add units or buildings to an existing control group. For example, if you have a control group of soldiers assigned to F1, you can select additional soldiers and press Shift + F1 to add them to the group.

Ctrl + F1-F10 keys can be used to remove units or buildings from a control group.

Organize your units

The rally point is a designated area where your units will gather after they are trained. You can set the rally point to a specific location on the map, which can be useful for organizing your units and preparing for attacks.

Walls and fortifications

Another key strategy in Age of Empires 3 is to use walls and fortifications to defend your base. These can be especially useful if you are being attacked by a large number of enemy units, as they can slow down or even stop the enemy’s advance.

Use them to create a bottleneck: By building walls in strategic locations, you can create a bottleneck that forces enemy units to pass through a narrow area, making it easier for you to defend.

Place them in front of key buildings: If you have important buildings, such as resource gathering buildings or your Town Center, make sure to place walls and fortifications in front of them to protect them from enemy attacks.

Upgrade them: As you progress through the game, you will have the opportunity to upgrade your walls and fortifications. Make sure to do this, as it will make them more effective at defending your base.

Build a strong economy early on

In Age of Empires 3, your economy is the foundation of your success. Make sure to prioritize building farms, plantations, and other resource-gathering structures in the early game. This will give you the resources you need to train units and build up your military.

Your villagers are your main source of resources and are essential to your success. Make sure to assign them to gather resources efficiently, and don’t leave them idle for too long.

Use scouts effectively

Scouts are fast, lightly-armed units that are great for exploring the map and gathering information about enemy movements. As soon as you start a game, send out a scout to explore the surrounding area and reveal any nearby resources or enemy units. If you see enemy units moving towards your base, send a scout to follow them and gather information about their numbers and composition.

If you see enemy units gathering resources, send a scout to harass them and disrupt their gathering.

Build outposts to expand your territory

Outposts are small, fortified buildings that can be placed on the map to claim territory. They are a good way to expand your territory and gain access to resources.

Use artillery effectively

Artillery units, such as cannons and mortars, are powerful units that can deal a lot of damage from a distance.

Place them on high ground: Artillery units are most effective when they are placed on high ground, as this gives them a better line of sight and allows them to fire over obstacles.

Protect them: Because artillery units are slow and vulnerable to enemy attacks, make sure to protect them with other units or walls.

Use them to attack enemy buildings: Artillery units are especially effective at attacking enemy buildings, so use them to target enemy resource gathering buildings or Town Centers to disrupt their economy.

Experiment with different civilizations

Each civilization in Age of Empires 3 has its own unique units and abilities. Experimenting with different civilizations can help you find one that fits your playstyle and can give you an advantage in multiplayer matches.

Train a diverse army

In AOE III, each civilization has access to unique units and technologies. Make sure to train a mix of units to take advantage of these strengths. For example, the British have access to powerful ranged units like the Redcoats and the Indian Sepoys, while the Russians have access to powerful cavalry units like the Cossacks and the Hussars.

Don’t neglect your navy

The naval aspect of Age of Empires III can often be overlooked, but it’s important to have a strong navy to defend against enemy naval attacks and to transport units across the map. Make sure to build a variety of ships and upgrade them as you progress through the game.

Take control of key resource points

Resources are crucial in AOE III, and controlling key resource points can give you a significant advantage. Make sure to send units to secure key resource points, such as gold mines or huntable animals, to give yourself an edge.

Overall, Age of Empires III is a complex and challenging game that requires strategy, resource management, and quick decision-making. By following these advanced tips and tricks, you can improve your skills and become a more effective player.

Fernando Diaz

Fernando is doing what he always did, sharing his honest opinions about games whenever he can. The difference is now he is writing and not talking about it.
View all posts