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The following article is an excerpt from the PC Strategy Game Guide. The 20 page article featured in the Guide is written by Bruce Shelley and the staff of Ensemble Studios and testers from publisher Microsoft. The PC Strategy Game Guide features more than 200 pages of previews, reviews and tips on strategy games. It's currently available at finer bookstores.

Favorite Civilizations
Minoans
Minoan strengths include Composite Bowmen with +2 range, +25Farm production, and -30hip costs. They can build the Juggernaut, Centurion and heavy siege weapons. Disadvantages include weak Priests, Cavalry, later archers, and infantry. The Minoans are a good choice where naval action is expected and when you go for the early kill.

Quoting James Evans, Microsoft: "If I was playing for money, I would play the Minoan's because fishing is a huge part of the game. You can get three fishing boats in the water for every two your opponent gets out there…."

Sumerians
They have three strengths on which Ensemble's Rick Goodman depends. "1. Fearsome catapults. If you can protect them, the catapult is the offensive weapon of choice….

"2. Farm production bonus. Sumerian farms allow you to save the cost of farm reconstruction, they free you from being tied to specific locations of naturally occurring sources of food, and they can significantly reduce the idle time of farmers who's land has been exhausted while your attention is focused elsewhere…. Most importantly, the emphasis on food gives you a dependable means by which you will be able to research super units, such as the Heavy Catapult, upon which your Civilization may depend. "3. Hoplite. The Hoplite is arguably the most powerful unit in the game. Primarily due to its lack of speed, the Hoplite is often under utilized. But for the Sumerians, the Hoplite is essential for the protection of its catapults and can readily be upgraded to Centurion if the Sumerian farms are maintained properly. The major threat to the Hoplite is archers…."

Yamato
Yamato strengths are ships that take +30more hits, mounted units that cost 25 0.000000e+00ss than usual, and Villagers that are 30 0.000000aster. Disadvantages include weak Priests, no heavy land siege weapons, medium quality fortifications, no elephants, and no advanced swordsmen. The Yamato are a good choice where the map contains significant water.

Quoting Rick Lockyear, Microsoft: "Yamato are probably the best to play because they can build cheap Cavalry and Horse Archers, plus they have advantages in ship building. They have access to the best ship upgrades and their ships take extra damage. They also have fast villagers."

Egypt
Egyptian advantages include +20 0old mining and +330.000000eb0ïÿöhariot and Chariot Archer hit points, and +3 Priest range. Priests are the core of the Egyptian attack. In addition, the Egyptians get both types of elephants, all ship types, and all fortifications.

The disadvantages to being Egyptian are no Cavalry or quality infantry. They also lack Shields. Strong Chariots make up some for not having Cavalry. Masses of 10 or more Priests are an awesome military force. They can quickly convert front line troops into a new army. They can convert Villagers thought safe behind walls.
Quoting Mark Thomas, Microsoft: "Egyptian Priests can have the longest range of anyone on the board. Sixteen tiles are a long distance. Four or five of these, fully researched, can decimate an enemy. For a kick, station them on the other side of someone's walls, just outside of Catapult range, and pick off their civilians or troops."

Assyrians
The Assyrians of history were noted for their aggressiveness as warriors. The Assyrians in Age of Empires have similar qualities. These are +40rate of fire for any units built at the Archery Range and 30 0.000000aster Villagers. If you can find an enemy early, the archery bonus may allow you to attack quickly with a force of Bowmen or Chariot Archers and still succeed. Assyrian archers get off three shots for every two of the enemy. Assyrians get all the siege weapon upgrades; disadvantages include weak Iron Age ships, limited Iron Age missile technology, no shields, no Iron Age Hoplite upgrades, no Bowmen upgrades, and no elephants.

Quoting James Evans, Microsoft: "They have increased speed for civilians, which is very useful for scouting the map early. You should find your opponent while your are both in the Stone Age. You can then attack with Assyrian archers in the Tool Age and really decimate your opponent early. … Many players will not defend themselves early in the game – take advantage of this."

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Page Updated Mon Feb 28, 2000 8:25pm EST