Age of Empires 4Choosing the right civilization in can greatly affect your gameplay. Russian civilization, one of the ten options, presents an interesting challenge. Russians thrive by using their environment efficiently and can become formidable opponents if given time to develop. To succeed as a Russian, it is crucial to understand their unique strengths and strategies. This guide provides basic information for those who want to play as Russian.
However, if you have some experience and want an explanation based on the real match, you can go directly to the bottom of the article and watch the video there.
A General Overview of Russian Civilization
The Russian civilization has the upper hand in the early game, making them strong opponents from the very beginning. They can establish solid defenses with their durable palisade walls and Wooden Castles. In the Feudal Age, access to Knights is a valuable asset for both defense and early raids.
The core of the Russian economy revolves around hunting, as they earn both Gold and Food from their Hunting Booths. Unique Russian units, such as Warrior Monks, contribute to achieving Divine Victory in matches.
Russian Civilization Bonuses
The Russians have a number of unique civilization bonuses that players must take advantage of to effectively master this faction. These bonuses include:
- Generating Gold and increasing the reward while killing animals.
- Higher reward provides additional Food income from all sources.
- Early access to Knights in the Feudal Age.
- Stronger fences with twice as much health.
- Ability to build a Hunting Lodge, an advanced Mill that produces Scouts and produces Gold from nearby forests.
- Ability to build Wooden Fortresses with extra health and garrison slots.
- Timber Camps and Town Centers within a Wooden Fortress’ Area of Influence 20% more Wood gives.
These bonuses highlight the importance of hunting for Russians, as it significantly increases their economy. Knights arriving early and solid fortifications also add to their early game strength.
Unique Russian Units
Russian civilization has two different units that can turn the tide of battle:
- Warrior Monk: These units have standard religious abilities such as healing, transforming enemies, and capturing relics and Sanctuaries. What distinguishes them from others is their mobility due to being mounted. Saint’s Blessing abilities grant a significant armor and damage boost to nearby friendly units, making them valuable on the battlefield.
- Steltsy: These gunpowder units can remain stationary and provide more firepower, unlike standard Hand Artillery. Additionally, the Russians can recruit affordable Horse Archers.
- Horse Archer Light ranged cavalry with high mobility and damage.
- Militia: Light melee infantry that can be summoned from the Kremlin and has a certain lifespan.
Unique Russian Technologies and Capabilities
Russian civilization offers a number of unique technologies and abilities that enhance their gameplay. These include:
- Double Time: Increases Streltsy’s movement speed by +30% for 10 seconds.
- Mounted Precision: Increases the weapon range of Horse Archers by +1.
- Blessing Period: Extends the duration of Saint’s Blessing by +10 seconds.
- Boyar’s Fortitude: Increases the health of Russian cavalry by +20.
- Knight Swords: Increases melee damage of knights by +4.
- Castle Tower: Increases the damage of arrows fired from a Wooden Fortress by +2.
- Castle Watcher: Extends the vision range of a Wooden Fortress by +6 tiles.
- Taped Guns: Increases the range of Springalds by +0.5 tiles.
- Wandering Town: Increases battering ram damage by +100%.
- Siege Crew Training: Allows instant assembly and dismantling of Trebuchets and Mangonels.
- Fine-Tuned Weapons: Reduces the reload time of bombardment weapons by -20%.
These technologies and abilities offer a variety of benefits, from improving unit stats to improving siege weapons.
Russian Navy Advantages
Russian navy ships are versatile and unique. Fishing Vessels do not need to return to the Docks to unload their cargo. Lodya ships can be adapted and converted into other ship types. Additional technologies such as Clinker Crafting and Cedar Hulls increase the health and effectiveness of Lodya Assault Ships.
Reward System (Bonus)
Russian civilization utilizes a reward system tied to hunting animals. The more animals you hunt, the greater the rewards in Gold. Sheep is worth +5, Deer is +10, Wolf is +25 and Wild Boar is worth +75. The system has three tiers, each offering enhanced bonuses as follows:
- Tier 1 (100 Rewards): +5 Villager Food Harvest Rate and Hunting Booths produce Gold every 27 seconds.
- Tier 2 (250 Rewards): +10% Villager Food Harvest Rate and Hunting Booths produce Gold every 24 seconds.
- Tier 3 (500 Rewards): +15% Villager Food Harvest Rate and Hunting Booths produce Gold every 18 seconds.
Prioritize hunting and reach higher reward tiers to maximize your Russian economy. (Try to get at least 250 points in 1vs1 games. Aim for 500 points in team games).
Russian Landmarks
Russian civilization has several unique landmarks that offer different advantages:
- Golden Gate (Feudal Age, Economic): Allows the exchange of resources at favorable rates and creates an additional exchange every minute.
- Kremlin (Feudal Age, Defense): Functions as a Wooden Fortress with additional technologies such as Arrow Gate, Fortress Tower, and Fortress Watch.
- Principality of the Three (Castle Age, Religious): Acts like a Monastery, producing Warrior Monks at half the cost and providing unique religious technologies.
- High Trade House (Castle Age, Economic): Produces Gold like a Hunting Lodge, but its value is increased by +400%. It also spawns a Stag every 60 seconds and allows villagers to drop Food.
- Spasskaya Tower (Imperial Age, Defense): Functions as a Stronghold with all weapon emplacements in place and health increased.
- High Armory (Imperial Age, Military): Reduces the cost of siege engines in nearby Siege Workshops by -20% and contains unique siege engine technologies.
Russian Masteries
As with other civilizations, players can complete Russian-specific Mastery quests. These quests offer rewards like Experience Points, fun trivia, monuments, portraits, and more.
Tips for Playing as a Russian
To succeed as a Russian, focus on hunting in the early game to increase your Gold and Food reserves. Build Hunting Lodges near forests to maximize your income. Consider building the High Trading House Landmark for a steady supply of Stags
Leverage your early game advantages to build a solid economy. Once you have enough Wooden Fortresses and military units, you can adopt a more deliberate approach and gradually wear down your opponents with your efficient economy.
Playing as a Russian requires efficient resource management, a focus on hunting, and strategic use of unique units and technologies. Mastering these aspects will enable you to become a formidable force in Age of Empires 4.
In the videos below, you can watch the 1 vs 1 Hiding Place map with the narration of iby, a top 100 player in Age of Empires 4 Global. Russian vs Ottoman You can watch special tutorial broadcasts. Games played against real opponents will make you more experienced.