Age of Empires 4 is a continuation of the legendary strategy, in which you can observe the development of civilizations of peoples in several eras. Each nation has its own advantages and disadvantages. Advantages allow you to get priority over the warring faction, and disadvantages can serve as a defeat if the enemy side takes them into account.
There are 10 factions in Age of Empires 4: Rus’, England, France, Mongols, Holy Roman Empire, Abbasid Dynasty, China, Delhi Sultanate, Malians, Ottomans. All of the listed factions have their own fighter buildings. The balance works almost like rock – scissors – paper, in some ways they win and in some ways they lose. In order to successfully defeat the enemy, you need to know his weaknesses in the economy and the characteristics of the army.
In this article, we will look at the Rus nation and describe its key features. Rus has its own characteristics that you need to understand in order to survive in the first minutes of the game. As well as the existing priorities, Rus’ has a number of shortcomings that need to be circumvented by focusing on the features of the faction. According to the developers, Rus’ is not the most difficult nation, however, it is quite difficult to establish an economy.
Features of the Rus faction in Age of Empires 4.
The nation of Rus feel like a fish in water in the countryside, hunting and logging bring more resources. In case of difficult military moments, strong combat units can be put on the battlefield. Opponents will have to fight against the strong nation of Rus, which has a diversified economy and a good army.
Players will have to manage Russia between 882 and 1552 AD. During this period, Rus’ experienced difficult times, as there were Norman, Norwegian, Byzantine eras and confrontation with the Mongol yoke.
For killing animals, Rus’ receives additional bonuses.
When killing animals, Rus’ receives gold. In addition, the level of this gold gives additional bonuses to the production of food. The faster and more you manage to pump up to level 3 of the bonus, the easier it will be to develop the base. Therefore, at the beginning of the game, you need to actively engage in hunting with the help of scouts.
With active hunting for animals, control over the development of the base is noticeably reduced. Since during this period of time attention is occupied by the search for animals and the indication of tasks to the fighter. Basically, the first few minutes of the hunting task are performed by scouts. The simplest thing is to find a sheep by a scout and bring it to the base, the workers will do the rest.
Advice:
At the beginning of the game, you need to immediately hire another “Scout” and send it to another part of the patrol. Then, gradually, you can hire 2 more scouts and send them to hunt in pairs. 4 scouts of 2 fighters in a group will make it easier and faster to fill trophies and bring gold. To simplify the hunt, you need to select 2 scouts and, using the “Shift” button held down, give a command immediately to the entire group of animals in the nearest radius.
Trophy ranks for killing animals:
Hunting trophies can be obtained by killing animals. Sheep gives +5 units, deer +10 units, wolf +25 units, boar +75 units.
Rank 1. 100 gold from animals.
Settlers get +5% Food Gathering Speed. Hunting huts bring gold once every 27 seconds.
Rank 2. 250 gold from animals.
Workers gain +10% Food Gathering Speed. Hunting huts bring gold once every 24 seconds.
Rank 3. 500 gold from animals.
Workers gain +15% Food Gathering Speed. Hunting huts bring gold once every 18 seconds.
Early armor pieces are available in the second era.
Suitable mainly for improving defensive positions. In an attack, Latniks alone without other units are not very effective. In addition, at the beginning of the game, you will have to choose a further development strategy, and spending resources on a call will not always be justified. The cost for summoning men at armor is high and not always reasonable in the early stages of the game.
When moving at-arms in an attack or patrolling an area, you need to attach scouts. Since the review of men-at-arms is very small and it is difficult to navigate them if there are enemy ranged fighters.
Rus’ has a special building “Hunting Hut”.
The hunting hut can produce gold from nearby trees and act as a “Mill”, a warehouse for food storage, and make improvements for workers. A very efficient building as it can produce a renewable resource. The only thing that is important is not to cut down trees in the area of the building.
Another important point where, in order to maintain efficiency, it is necessary to take into account the effective area. There must be one building in a hunting hut aeon of usefulness. It is advisable to build the second building of the hunting hut without touching the area of action of the first building of the hunting hut.
There can be more fighters in wooden fortresses.
Wooden fortresses have good durability and several upgrades, two of which can only be upgraded by the Rus faction. The towers can accommodate up to 8 fighters, which allows for a more worthy defense. One tower occupies 4 cells, which is a bit much, since it is not possible to build several towers everywhere.
Fishing ships don’t deliver food to the dock.
Production ships can fish and deliver food to the base without unnecessary movement. This moment accelerates the extraction of food.
Disadvantages of the Rus faction in Age of Empires 4.
Difficulty setting up the economy at the beginning of the game.
Often the main priority of Russ in the early and mid game is a good map with large and dense forests. Almost all initial and further development depends on this. If there is little scaffolding, then it is difficult to get additional priority from special buildings. For example, the “Hunting Hut” and “High Trading House”, which must be built next to the forest so that the buildings bring gold.
In addition, the resource “Wood” is needed for the construction of buildings, defensive structures, as well as the conscription of troops. You have to choose which troops to build and what resources to spend. For example, spend gold and wood on a fighter, or buy gold and food for food.
Well, it’s not even about the tree, Rus’ has special bonuses that it is advisable to pump at the very beginning of the game. Otherwise, the economy will be sluggish and rather complicated. To pump special bonuses, you will have to run and hunt animals all over the map, which greatly complicates the initial development of the base.
It is difficult to fight off enemy troops in the early stages of the game.
Rus’ in the first era has “Barracks”, where you can hire melee fighters. These fighters can only scare away enemy melee horsemen. But with enemy archers, everything is much more complicated, since they can easily dismantle melee infantry with a strength of 1 to 1. Or run away a little further, and then attack again. As a result, the first battles with the help of the Barracks are not effective.
Mounted troops and ranged units are available in the second era, by which time some factions have already managed to hire enough armies to attack. Therefore, the first and second eras take place in conditions of tough defense, where you have to quickly build defensive walls.
Expensive cavalry.
The strongest cavalry troops in Rus’ are the Cavalry Horsemen, who fight well in close combat and have good mobility. But, they are very expensive and it is quite difficult to establish a decent number of production. You need large tracts of land to grow food.
There are no stone walls.
In Age of Empires 4, Rus’ only has “Improved Wooden Walls” and they are noticeably stronger than normal wooden walls. However, enemy fighters can set them on fire without using siege weapons. At the same time, the absence of stone walls is probably not a disadvantage, an advantage, since a lot of stone is needed for stone walls.
Special buildings of Rus’, in the game Age of Empires 4.
Special buildings and attractions allow factions to receive additional bonuses. Each nation has its own special structures that only certain nations can build. At the same time, the bonuses of such structures also differ and can give priority if built in the right places. Attractions allow nations to enter a new era and become the owners of new technologies.
The first era “Dark Age”, in the game Age of Empires 4.
Hunting hut.
The hunting hut is a production building that can only be built by the Rus nation. Designed for gold mining and food storage, as well as for researching production technologies. Performs the role of the “Mill”, but with its own characteristics.
It is advisable to build a “Hunting Hut” next to a forest or trees, almost back to back, for gold mining. The building can produce gold if built next to a forest. Income in the form of gold will go to the treasury only if there is a forest. If the forest next to the hunting hut is cut down, the building will stop mining gold. Therefore, it is important to preserve the forests near the hunting hut.
The building of a hunting hut is quite a priority for Rus’, since gold comes in a renewable form. The only thing that is very difficult is the limited amount of forest on the map. And from the forest we get a tree that is spent on a lot, buildings, defensive structures and the call of fighters. Because of this, you have to buy a tree in the market and in the “High Trading House”.
Wooden fortress.
A strong stronghold with a large radius of observation of the surroundings. You can improve and place weapons, you can install all available research on one tower. The largest number of fighters is located inside, among the defensive towers, up to 8 fighters. Thanks to this, the “Wooden Fortress” is one of the most effective defensive structures until the 3rd era.
The “Wooden Fortress” has several drawbacks. One of the disadvantages is a large building area, the construction takes 4 cells. The second drawback is the lack of a cannon, which is very effective against siege weapons and battering rams. However, Wooden Fort holds enemy fighters well, it’s important to place the right amount of ranged troopers.
Possible improvements available only to Rus’:
Tower.
The research allows you to increase the damage by 2 points from the arrows of the wooden fortress. Costs 75 stone.
Watchtower.
Allows you to increase the radius of view by 6 cells. Thanks to this, the attacks of enemy fighters are clearly visible and planning for defense is facilitated. The research cost is 100 units of stone.
Attractions for the transition to the second era:
To move on to the next, second era, you need to choose one of the proposed attractions. The transition cost is 400 food and 200 gold.
Kremlin.
The Kremlin is a defensive landmark, it plays the role of a wooden fortress with existing defensive research. Has a fairly large number of points of strength.
It is extremely rarely built in the game, as it does not give economic priority. It can show itself well on large maps or where there are narrow passages to block the passage of enemy fighters. Thus, interrupt early attacks on your base.
Golden Gate.
The Golden Gate is an economic attraction that acts as a market without traders. Allows you to exchange resources on very favorable terms, but for this you will need to spend a special offer. Every minute, one exchange offer is created in the Golden Gate.
The most common attraction in the nation of Rus. Players mainly build this building, as it can speed up the development of the base. It is rapid development that can give chances for victory. At the same time, thanks to the Golden Gate, the problem with the missing resource is quickly solved.
The second era “Feudal Age”, in the game Age of Empires 4.
Landmarks for the transition to the third age:
To move to the third era, you need 1200 units of food and 600 units of gold. When choosing to move to the third age, you will have to think carefully, since both attractions are of strategic importance and can have significant development priorities.
Supreme trading house.
The “High Trading House” is similar to the “Hunting Hut”, but with a larger coverage of the territory and a large growth of gold + 200%. At the same time, every 60 seconds a new deer appears, from which you can extract the food resource. Thanks to the appearance of deer, you can quickly collect the required number of trophies, as well as earn extra gold.
As a result, the highest trading house is a strategic structure that will provide an additional increase in food and gold. It is important that there are trees in the radius of the building, for the growth of gold. But, relying only on the “Higher Trading House” in terms of food production is not worth it, since one deer in 60 seconds is not enough. It is desirable to use it as an additional source of food, paired with “Arable land”.
Trinity Monastery.
“Trinity Monastery” serves as a monastery where you can hire monks and store relics. You can hire a unique monk, which is available only to the nation of Rus’, these are “Fighting monks”. “Battle monks” move around the map on their horse and can take part in combat battles. In the Trinity Monastery building, you can make special improvements for monks.
Very often in the Age of Empires 4 game, you can see that the players playing Rus are building the Trinity Monastery. This is due to the large number of priorities that can be obtained from the building.
For example, one relic gives 100 units of gold, several relics are already a decent increase in gold to the treasury. The monks move around the map quickly, which makes it possible to quickly collect several relics. In addition, monks can heal fighters in battle, this increases the survivability of fighters.
Combat Monk. Special unit of the Rus nation.
A militant unit that improves the combat abilities of nearby fighters after an attack, as well as heal health. Can pick up relics, convert enemy units, and capture shrines. The cost of summoning is 40 units of food and 200 units of gold.
Improved blessing. (Special improvement for Rus’).
Increases the damage of the saint’s blessing by 1. The cost of research is 275 units of gold.
Help from a saint. (Special improvement for Rus’).
Increases the range of the saint’s blessing by 3 squares. The cost of research is 275 units of gold.
The duration of the blessing. (Special improvement for Rus’).
Increases the duration of the blessing by 10 seconds. The research cost is 75 wood and 200 gold.
Conclusion on the second era for Rus’.
The choice is really difficult, since the “High Trading House” will allow you to establish food production and bring additional gold. This allows you to improve the economy and stabilize the growth of food without a large number of “Pashen”. In some cases, it is more suitable for support and defensive tactics of the game.
If you look at the Trinity Monastery, the building will simplify active offensive tactics. In which fighters will be able to hold out longer on the battlefield. And this, in turn, is very important, since at this moment reinforcements can arrive in time and defeat more enemy fighters with one detachment. Also, greater efficiency directly depends on the number of relics placed in the building. The more relics the better.
The third era “Castle Age”, in the game Age of Empires 4.
To move to the next fourth age, you need 2400 units of food and 1200 units of gold. In the third era, you need to decide between a defensive (military) structure and a second military structure.
Landmarks for the transition to the third age:
Spasskaya Tower.
The Spasskaya Tower serves as a donjon with an increased amount of durability points and a full set of weapons. The building will allow you to hold off enemy attacks for longer and possibly encourage the enemy to build more siege weapons. This can significantly weaken the number of the offensive army.
It is advisable to build based on the existing situation. If enemy fighters often storm the base, then you can build and increase the defensive ability. It all depends on what types of enemy units are present on the battlefield.
Supreme arsenal.
The Supreme Armory is another military building that allows you to make your siege weapons very unique. By building the “Highest Arsenal” and upgrading upgrades, all siege weapons will become unique and available only for the Rus nation.
Technology research will allow you to more effectively use siege weapons in battle and give you significant priority over the enemy. For example, “Springald” will shoot further a few cells, taking 8 pieces with you can already increase your success in pushing through enemy defenses.
Improvements in the building “High Arsenal”:
Walk-city.
Ram deals +100% more damage. It costs 100 food and 225 gold to research. A couple of such rams can be built during a siege and they will give a good breakthrough during an offensive.
Service training.
Research allows you to instantly collect mangonels and trebuchets. The cost of research is 100 units of food and 225 units of gold.
Targeted guns.
Reduces bombard reload time by 25%. Research costs 150 food and 350 gold.
Banded shoulders.
Increases springald attack range by 1.5 tiles. Costs 100 wood and 225 gold.
The fourth era “Imperial Age”, in the game Age of Empires 4.
By moving to the 4th era, the nation of Rus’ receives a new unique unit and improvements.
Archers.
Archers are ranged units armed with muskets and capable of fighting in close combat. They deal a lot of damage, but the attack range is less than units with crossbows. It is noticeably cheaper than the Kulevriner. The cost of summoning archers is 90 food and 90 gold.
Attraction on the 4th era.
Royal Cathedral.
The Royal Cathedral is a unique attraction that will allow you to win the battle with the enemy. It is enough just to have time to build a building and keep it safe and sound for a certain time. The cost of construction is 3000 units of all available resources.
Conclusion on the faction Rus, in the game Age of Empires 4.
In our opinion, Rus’ is a fairly strong nation that needs to hold out until the 3rd era. In some cases, Rus’ allows you to feel the role of survival. Since the enemy often inflicts early attacks, and there is almost nothing to defend. This is because units require two types of resources. And the economy still needs to be adjusted. As for strong fighters, such as “Latnik”, its price is very high and does not allow hiring in the required quantity.
But already in the middle, around the 3rd epoch, Rus’ can quite gather the right amount of army to attack the enemy base. This attack can usually deal only a small amount of damage. Therefore, you will have to think whether to leave the army to repel an enemy attack or to attack. But, armored men behave better on the battlefield already at the 4th era, thanks to improvements.
On the offensive, you need to collect several different types of troops. Where there are “Fighting Monks”, “Armorers”, “Archers” and siege weapons. Without this, it will be difficult to break through the enemy defenses. At the same time, it is important to choose the right number and set tasks when attacking enemy fighters.
