Note: These are mainly based when you start in the Stone Age. If you start in another age, this will still be helpful but maybe not to your needs.
Settings
Know the settings. If you have a conquest game, you are not going to try to build a
wonder. Also the suggested setting to play a game is the default(that's why they call it
default).
Choose your civilization wisely. Suggested Civilizations are Persians and Carthagians. Persians are strongly suggested because they get the catapult(so does the Babylonians), have better Trireme fire rate, and have better elephant speed. Be sure to know your enemy or allies' civilization.
Also this is a setting during the game, it is the speed setting. Many players go with 2.0. The suggested speed is 1.0 or 1.5. This is so you are able to manage you economy and military better.
Strategy
It is suggested that you work out your strategy before entering the game. This is crucial
is you start in the Stone Age. One of you may give food to your ally and allow them to
advance first so they get to rush.
Resources
Don't stop training villagers until you reach 25. It would be more helpful if you built
more Town Centers if you have the age advantage. Focus on all resources. Food and Wood are
crucial, and Gold is very important in later stages. Mine some stone to build walls for
protection. Never forget to Dock in Stone. They are very crucial and you will not need to
build many more docks if you already have one. Make sure you have around 600 food when you
Tool and 1000 food when you Bronze.
Defense
Always build walls blocking the walkways first if you are able to, if not, make sure you
put some guards/buildings near the walkways.
Offense ...Yes, this means rushing.
It is absolutely fine if you rush in Stone or Tool. This is not cheap as to some
players. The cheap rushing is explained as follows:
Cheap Rushing is when you start out in an Advanced Age and you attack within 5
minutes into the game. Players who do this usually build a TC or 2 on your land. And then
they start training villagers while some build a temple. They research Jahid and rush with
their villagers.
OK, back to the main topic now. The best way of rushing is in the Tool Age, I should
actually say the best time. Here is the way:
In the Stone Age, build a Barrack or two and start training ClubMen. As soon as you tool,
research Axemen(here is where the 100 remain food comes in). Send your Clubmen over to the
enemy territory while the upgrade is going. Don't send them in yet until you've heard the
distinct sound and change to the clubmen(or axemen). Attack Now!
This is very effective especially in Tool.
Scouting
Since many players use the Reveal Map and play on the Default Map, scouting is not very
useful unless you have a 1 on 1 or 3 player ffa.
Economy
This is the most important part of your villagers. Make sure you have two sources of
resources just in case of an attack. Once again focus on all resources. Also you should
have some gold now.
Defense
When you attack, leave some men behind to guard. And use Grouping techniques to help. Be
sure to have walled up and have towers to guard your resource pits.
Offense
Always remember not to forgot about resource managing and producing military units on your
side.
The War on Land
Catapults are one of the most effective units. Build them along with guard units. Attack
the enemy wall if you are deciding to travel there by land. If you are using Transports to
get there. Make sure you have a few escorts. Most enemies will go for the transports
first, so one strategy is to make fake transports carring no or one unit to go along with
your one transport. You should group you units and transport to one particular number and
attack with two groups. A good strategy is to load a few villagers so you are able to
build on the enemy land.
When you attack, you should go for the villagers, houses, and towers first. Make sure you have guards(especially chariot, horse and elephant archers) to kill any enemy units trying to defend themselves. A key unit, the Priest, plays a large role in your attack. When you learn to manage them well, they will be one of most effective units. If you are in the Iron Age and decide to build a Wonder. You should right after your attack, if you used good grouping strategies, you will be able to attack right after this attack.
In the next attack, you should have different units. Make sure you still have Catapults though.
The War at Sea
A strong navy is the key to winning the game. Part of your defense relies on the navy on
the default map. Make sure you have some scout ships when you are in tool, an attack isn't
necessary but may help. Upgrade the ships as soon as possible. This is very important.
Also a note, do not bulid Catapult Triremes, one Trireme can beat one of those one on one.
If you are winning...
Economy
Economy is still important if you know you are going to defeat your enemy. You enemy may
be hiding some secret forces to devastate you and it also might have lots of defense. Make
sure your villagers are still protected at the end.
Defense
You must guard your land especially when the enemie's ally is still strong. That player
will see an opportunity to attack when you start penetrating your weaker enemy. You should
double wall and move your villagers into the weaker enemie's land to make a small town
just in case.
Offense
This is a very critical point of the game. Make sure you have fast units to go after the
villagers and houses. Have Catapults to go for the buildings. This player will probably
make a last attempt to get to his/her allie's land. You must stop this, this is why you
will need a strong navy. If you have an ally, make sure he is either attacking too or
defending both your ally and your base.
Ending the Game
Search out every place, it is very easy for your enemy to escape via transport or by foot.
Have one player search land and one search the waterways. The game should be much easier
now if you've defeated one of your enemie's.
If you are losing...
Economy
You probably won't have much economy because your enemy probably killed many of your
villagers already. You must train more villagers at once. Build a transport and transport
some of your villagers to your allie's land. The most important resources now are Food and
Wood. Now is the time to ask for tribute from your ally.
Defense
You still need to bulid some defensive units or structures. If you are not able to, you
must transport yourself to another part of the land. If you've built a Wonder. Protect it
at once. Make sure your walled in extensively.
Offense
I don't suggest you to attack your enemies unless you've decide to resign. Have all your
units and go in for an attack. You should warn your ally first so that you are able to
have a well-planned attack.
Wonder
Believe it or not, if you have an ally. Give your ally the resources to build a wonder
while you build protection for it. This is a very effective way to win if you are able to
protect yourself well. Since you are losing, you won't have much military buildings. Now
you have to gather resources while your ally builds the Wonder. Now give your ally some of
your resources so he/she can build some defense units and structures.
This is very hard, I've won once like this when it came down to a one on one and I had
control of only one island. I build a wonder an protected it well and I won.
At the End
If you had decided to resign, give your ally all your resources first! This will help your
ally very much. To do this, you must retain your market.