Age of Empires age order and beginner build priorities
Use the four ages to plan food, prerequisite buildings and military production.
Edition covered
Guide scope: the original 1997 game and its twelve civilizations. Pictures show the 2018 Definitive Edition, which also includes Rise of Rome and changes graphics, interface and balance. Expansion civilizations and Return of Rome are outside the original-game tables.
Advance at the Town Center
The four ages are Stone, Tool, Bronze and Iron. Age research occupies the Town Center, so prepare food and houses before advancing; a completed age does not automatically upgrade your existing troops.
| Age | Research cost | What the transition enables |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Age | Starting age | Villagers, basic economy and Clubmen |
| Tool Age | 500 food | Market, Archery Range, Stable and early upgrades |
| Bronze Age | 800 food | Academy, Temple, Siege Workshop and advanced warfare |
| Iron Age | 1,000 food and 800 gold | Late military and economic technology |
Build the correct prerequisite chain
A Barracks opens the early military chain. Later specialist buildings depend on your age and on earlier structures. The technology tree is the final check because individual civilizations lack particular units and improvements.
| Building | Connection | Planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Barracks | Early prerequisite for Archery Range and Stable | Begin the land-army chain |
| Market | Tool Age economy building | Farms and economic development |
| Archery Range | Follows the Barracks | Bow units and civilization-specific ranged branches |
| Stable | Follows the Barracks | Mounted units and later cavalry options |
| Temple | Bronze Age religious building | Priests and religious technologies |
Scout food before committing
Locate berries, huntable animals and shoreline fish before moving the whole workforce. Early wood pays for houses and drop-off buildings, while food keeps villager production running and funds age advancement.
Do not copy a sequel build
The 1997 game uses Storage Pits and Granaries rather than Age of Empires II lumber and mining camps. Defensive details and unit rosters also differ from the Definitive Edition shown in the pictures.
The 1997 game uses Storage Pits and Granaries rather than Age of Empires II lumber and mining camps. Defensive details and unit rosters also differ from the Definitive Edition shown in the pictures.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Publisher game and edition listing | store.steampowered.com |
| Microsoft edition overview | www.ageofempires.com |
| Original publisher manual | www.bestoldgames.net |