AOE3 Forums

I am going to mention many basic tips that should always be implemented into all of your games.

1) Herding. Whilst the food herd, you are gathering from, starts to get low, send a settler out behind another herd and fire your gun in the direction you would like the herd to go (where your current food gathering settlers are) this will save you precious seconds instead of moving and can keep your settlers near safety (tc or outpost you may have set up nearby). At the start, depending on how far away the herd is, move them nearer to the tc using this method.

2) Tc travelling. If you have to travel from one side of the tc to the other, garrison inside and put the drop off point to the other side; this will save you a couple of seconds.

3) Tc Fire. Only garrison one settler when you see raiding cavalry and carry on normally unless you are reasonably far from the tc/outpost. If they come near garrison all. If you have problems with rushers, ungarrison villies on the opposite side to the military units and fire, garrison (repeat this cycle).

4) Battles. In battles the aim of the game is to kill your oponents whislt taking as little damage as possible yourself. To do this the obvious solution is to kill the high attack: low hp ratio units (such as uhlans) or whatever your unit has a bonus against.

Cannons > Infantry
Cavalry > artillery/skirms

Infantry are too devise so I wont go into depth but you should learn the bonuses.

Encircling enemy artillery with a cavalry flanks will help no end in battles but beware of a halb/musk/pike/rod/goon meat shield.

With units like Cassadores or Dragoons fire a shot at your enemy and then run backwards a few spaces to get out of their range. However, if your unit can't out run them (eg. Musket trying to hit and run a Hussar) don't bother.

5) If you haven't already done so, activate advanced formations from the options menu. This will allow for unit stances such as stand ground, attack move and staggered formation.

The benefits of the different formations should be self explanitary but anyway:

Staggered- Helps avoid cannon fire

Attack move- Attacks the first unit in Los whilst moving to its location (very useful [HOTKEY X] you should almost always use this.

Stand ground- ...

Deafult- No bonuses, no cons

Trample- Inflicts more damage ,whilst taking more. Slower speed.

If you can think of anymore feel free to post them and I'll add them on. Hope this gives a good idea of basic micro to all those who need it.

thanks a lot. Those are some really good tips. As a semi-noob, I really appreciate those. I have a question about ungarrisoning villagers. Is there a hot key for this? Because I find it rather a hassle to click on the TC or Outpost back and forth. Something also bothersome is that after you fend off your enemy trying to raid your villagers, they can't automatically go back to what they are doing and I have to manually move them to each mill or plantation. Anyway, that is all i want to ask. Thanks again for your useful tips.

Trample damage-NEVER USE

dancingknight:

thanks a lot. Those are some really good tips. As a semi-noob, I really appreciate those. I have a question about ungarrisoning villagers. Is there a hot key for this? Because I find it rather a hassle to click on the TC or Outpost back and forth. Something also bothersome is that after you fend off your enemy trying to raid your villagers, they can't automatically go back to what they are doing and I have to manually move them to each mill or plantation. Anyway, that is all i want to ask. Thanks again for your useful tips.

It's n

Thanks, this'll help with my game play a lot! Just a small tip, but staggered mode also reduces splash damage (curiasser, cannons, doppels, ect.) so use it when your faced with such enemies. What's the exact time for herding an animal (shooting an animal to herd it)? I think it was around 6-8 secs.

i mastered these when i was master seargent was that like 2 late>??

rescawen:

i mastered these when i was master seargent was that like 2 late>??

It's never to late to improve your game and learn new tricks!

Arcane Ranger:

What's the exact time for herding an animal (shooting an animal to herd it)? I think it was around 6-8 secs.

If you mean what time there is between herding a herd. So you shoot and they run, then 12 Secs before they run again when you shoot em. MrMilo said it in a VOD, and for some reason, i never forgot it xD.

Arcane Ranger:

Thanks, this'll help with my game play a lot! Just a small tip, but staggered mode also reduces splash damage (curiasser, cannons, doppels, ect.) so use it when your faced with such enemies. What's the exact time for herding an animal (shooting an animal to herd it)? I think it was around 6-8 secs.

 

12.4 seconds.  

Really? I thought it was less. Ok, thanks.