The French, renowned for their powerful knights and versatile playstyle, offer a unique and rewarding experience in Age of Empires 4. Mastering their economic focus and strategic options allows you to control the battlefield with grace and efficiency. This guide delves into a detailed Age of Empires 4 French build order and strategies, transforming you from a novice commander to a formidable French leader.
Age of Empires 4 French Build Order
1. Understanding Your Strengths: The Power of France
To master Age of Empires 4 French build order, one must know their strengths. The French boast several key advantages that set them apart:
- Early Economy Bonus: Their civilization bonus grants bonus sheep gather rate, boosting your early food income and allowing for faster villager production.
- Powerful Knights: French knights excel in mounted combat, offering a strong offensive core for your army.
- Versatile Landmarks: Choose between the School of Cavalry for enhanced knight production and upgrades or the Royal Palace for economic benefits and unique units.
- Strong Technology Options: French benefit from superior technology options, like stronger Town Centers and advanced armor upgrades for their units.
2. Laying the Foundations: Early Game Strategies
Your opening moves in Age of Empires 4 French build order are crucial for establishing a strong economic base and setting the stage for your chosen strategy:
- Prioritize Villager Production: Begin by constantly training villagers at your Town Center (TC).
- Initial Focus on Food: Send your first villagers to gather from sheep, maximizing your early food income.
- Wood Gathering: Dedicate a few villagers to collecting wood for building construction.
- Gold Mining: As resources allow, send villagers to build a Mining Camp near a gold deposit.
- Scout and Gather: Build a Scout early to explore the map, locate resources, and identify potential enemy locations.
3. Choosing Your Path: The Landmark Decision
Selecting your first landmark defines your early game strategy and sets the tone for your overall approach:
- School of Cavalry: This landmark prioritizes military dominance. It unlocks unique technologies and upgrades for your knights, making them even more formidable in battle.
- Royal Palace: This landmark focuses on economic stability and flexibility. It provides additional housing space, boosts villager production speed, and unlocks unique technologies that enhance resource gathering efficiency and access to unique units like Royal Knights.
4. Early Domination: Utilizing Knights and Economy
The Age of Empires 4 French build order excel at early game pressure with their powerful knights and strong economy:
- Early Archery Range: Build an Archery Range early to train archers for defense and early harassment. Consider researching technologies like Fletching for increased attack range.
- Knight Production: Once your economy is stable and you have researched key technologies like Horse Collar, begin producing knights from the School of Cavalry or Royal Stable (depending on your chosen landmark).
- Harass and Scout: Utilize your knights to harass enemy villagers, scout their base, and disrupt their early game development.
- Economic Focus: While maintaining pressure with your knights, continue building your economy by prioritizing food production and resource gathering.
- Early Trade Route: Establish an early trade route with a neutral market to generate additional income and access valuable resources.
5. Mid-Game Expansion: Building Your Strength
The mid-game Age of Empires 4 French build order is where you transition from early pressure to building your army and strengthening your economy:
- Landmark Construction: Build your chosen Dynasty landmark as soon as possible. Opt for the School of Cavalry for continued knight dominance or the Royal Palace for a stable economy and access to unique units.
- Tech Focus: Research key technologies that complement your chosen strategy. Consider technologies like Double-Bit Axe for faster resource gathering or Doctrines of War for military upgrades.
- Diverse Army Composition: Supplement your core army with additional archers, crossbowmen (later in the game), and siege weapons like Mangonels. This versatility allows you to counter various enemy strategies and adapt to the situation.
- Map Control: Secure key strategic locations and resources like gold mines to solidify your economic advantage and deny resources to your opponent.
6. Late-Game Strategies: Securing Victory
The late game Age of Empires 4 French build order is about utilizing your economic and military might to secure victory:
- Upgrading Your Army: Invest in further upgrades for your core units like knights and crossbowmen. Consider researching technologies like Bracer and Plate Barding for increased attack range and defense, respectively.
- Siege Warfare: Utilize Mangonels and Trebuchets to siege down enemy Town Centers and other fortifications.
- Micromanagement: Effective micromanagement of your knights and archers is crucial. Utilize hit-and-run tactics to keep them safe and maximize their damage output.
- Adaptability: Remain flexible and adapt your strategy based on your opponent’s composition. If they counter your knights with heavy infantry, consider transitioning to more archers and crossbowmen.
Mastering the French: Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips to help you master the Age of Empires 4 French build order playstyle:
- Utilize Landmark Bonuses: If you choose the Royal Palace, capitalize on its economic benefits. Utilize technologies like Wheelbarrow and Loom to further enhance resource gathering and villager production.
- Knight Flanking: Utilize your knights’ mobility to flank enemy formations and target vulnerable units like archers and siege weapons.
- Combined Arms: Combine your knights with ranged units like archers and crossbowmen for a balanced and effective army composition.
- Late-Game Ally: Consider forming an alliance with a civilization specializing in gunpowder units, like the Chinese or the Abbasid Dynasty. This can help you overcome heavily fortified enemy bases.
8. Conclusion: Leading France to Glory
By understanding the French strengths, utilizing their powerful knights and versatile economic options, and adapting your strategy according to the Age of Empires 4 French build order guide, you can transform your French army into a dominant force on the battlefield. Remember, practice, experimentation, and a strategic mind are crucial for conquering your opponents and establishing French dominance in Age of Empires 4. Go forth, leader, and claim your rightful place among the legends of chivalry and conquest!
FAQs:
1. Which French landmark is better for Age of Empires 4 French build order: School of Cavalry or Royal Palace?
The answer depends on your Age of Empires 4 French build order playstyle. The School of Cavalry is better for players who want a strong early army and focus on knights, while the Royal Palace is better for players who prefer a more balanced approach with economic stability and access to unique units.
2. How do I counter enemy archers as the French?
Utilize your own archers and crossbowmen to outrange and outmaneuver them. Consider researching technologies like Fletching and Bodkin Arrow for increased range and armor-piercing damage. You can also use your knights to flank and charge their archers, disrupting their formations and forcing them to retreat.
3. What are some key units for the French army?
Knights form the core of the French army, providing offensive power and mobility. Archers and crossbowmen offer ranged support and harassment. Siege weapons like Mangonels and Trebuchets are crucial for taking down enemy fortifications.
4. How do I micro-manage my knights effectively?
According to Age of Empires 4 French build order guide, utilizes hit-and-run tactics to engage and disengage quickly, avoiding prolonged fights where they can be overwhelmed. Target vulnerable enemy units like archers and siege weapons. Utilize their mobility to flank enemy formations and harass their backlines.
5. What are some good late-game Age of Empires 4 French build order strategies?
Focus on upgrading your core units, utilize siege weaponry to take down enemy fortifications, and adapt your strategy based on your opponent’s composition. Consider forming an alliance with a civilization specializing in gunpowder units for additional support.
By incorporating this knowledge of Age of Empires 4 French build order guide and continuously honing your skills, you’ll transform yourself from a novice commander to a master of the French civilization, ready to conquer any foe in Age of Empires 4. Good luck, and may your knights ride to glorious victory!
