Age of Empires Series Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Blood and Betrayal is the fourth scenario of the reworked Sforza campaign in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.

Intro[]

Visconti's death left Milan in turmoil. Outlying towns rebelled and Venice threatened the city.

By way of marriage, Sforza held a better claim on Milan than anyone, but strangely, the ambitious captain did not take his dowry. He allowed the lawyers and professors of Milan to fashion a republic with all the trappings and corruption of the old Roman one. They called it the Golden Ambrosian Republic after Saint Ambrose, but there was nothing blessed or saintly about this republic.

Surrounded by enemies, the Republicans of Milan - more skilled at reading books than leading men in war - needed a captain to command the war against Venice. Sforza, by now employed by the Venetians along with his compatriots Malatesta and Micheletto, did not miss an opportunity to once again betray those who paid him - as well as those closest to him.

Rescinding his own claims on Milan, he agreed to serve the Republic against his own cousin Micheletto in exchange for control of the city of Brescia. The leaders of the Republic agreed, even though there were many rumblings that Sforza could not be trusted. After all, for a piece of land he was now marching against his own blood.

Scenario instructions[]

Starting conditions[]

Objectives[]

  • Destroy the Castle in Piacenza.
  • Destroy the Castle in Caravaggio.
  • Destroy the Venetian Castle in Lodi.

Hints[]

  1. You are restricted to a population limit of 200.
  2. Barricades block your way across the bridges. While destroying them will allow you to attack your enemies on land, your enemies will be able to attack you as well.
  3. Cremona can be reached by ship, but weigh the benefits of a second base with the need to defend two locations at once.
  4. Ancient Relics can be recovered from old shipwrecks along the river's banks.

Scouts[]

  • Sforza, now captain-general of the Ambrosian Republic, has reached the cities of the Po River Valley. He plans to conquer them for Milan in exchange for a fiefdom in Brescia.
  • The Venetians (Cyan) are commanded by Sforza's cousin and erstwhile companion, Micheletto Attendolo. Micheletto prefers to field Cavaliers, Condottieri, Hand Cannoneers, and Organ Guns, but he will adjust his tactics to best counter Sforza.
  • Piacenza (Green) and Caravaggio (Yellow) are cities in league with Venice. They will attack with a mix of unit types.
  • Cremona (Grey) is a town friendly to Milan that will surrender to Sforza as soon as he dispatches men east to reach it.

Players[]

Player[]

  • Player (CivIcon-Italians Italians): The player starts in a spacey, but relatively resource-limited terrain on the western quarter of the map, equipped with somewhat basic Castle Age infrastructure, separated from their enemies by a river and a bridge blocked with barricades. The goal is to destroy all enemy Castles, each one placed in the center of their walled cities. The player can gain control of the city of Cremona by bringing units into its walls. While this makes Cremona a valuable stepping stone for the player, taking control of the city will expose it to enemy raids.

Neutral[]

  • Cremona (CivIcon-Italians Italians): Not an active player, allied to the players' enemies. Holds a well-equipped base in the eastern corner of the map, crossing the river. The player can gain control of their base by bringing units into its walls.
  • Lombardy (CivIcon-Italians Italians): Not an active player. Represents the local population. Insignificant for the gameplay.

Enemies[]

  • Piacenza (CivIcon-Italians Italians): The weakest enemy. They train Champions, Hand Cannoneers, Bombard Cannons, and Knights. Will amass a significant but not extremely large army. They also occasionally train Arbalesters. Their base is in southeast of the player, crossing a bridge.
  • Venetians (CivIcon-Portuguese Portuguese): The second city, just east of the player. They defend the city with a pair of Bombard Towers, some Keeps, Knights, Arbalests, Organ Guns, Halberdiers, and Condottieri. The only enemy to train a navy in this scenario.
  • Caravaggio (CivIcon-Italians Italians): The furthermost enemy, with a well-defended base in the northern corner of the map. Will train a sizable army composed of Condottieri, Cavaliers, Hand Cannoneers, and occasional Bombard Cannons.

Strategy[]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it.

There is a Relic across the river to the north at the edge of the map that the player should try to get early, and another near the optional secondary base that the player should get later after the move there. Be cautious building anything near the river, as the enemy navies won't stop attacking it.

Have the Villagers build a Town Center by the Berry Bushes, then have them collect food while the player create Villagers. Once the food supply is above what the player needs to keep making villagers, start sending them to cut wood. Remember, try to use the berries and pigs before farming. It can be useful to build a second and third Town Center in the north near the gold and south near the woodline, respectively.

When the player is able, create 5 archers and build a Watch Tower on the hill near the water to the north of the base. This strategic tower can occupy the enemy navy in the early game while the player builds a Monastery/Monk and Dock/Transport Ship to get the Relic immediately across the river. The Venetians will send an occasional Transport Ship to attack the player's base, but with a garrisoned Watch Tower or two, they shouldn't be a threat.

Next, a Castle on the hill at the far eastern corner of the starting island filled with archers can occupy the enemy navy indefinitely, while the player builds a few Trebuchets and prepare to take Piacenza (Green). Wall off the bridge before clearing the debris, and lay siege to the southern enemy - they surrender as soon as their Castle is destroyed.

Whenever the player pushes forward in this scenario, be sure to start mining to ensure that the player does not run out of gold. If Piacenza's Market is not destroyed, the player can trade with them for additional income.

From here, the player's Castle should still be occupying the remaining navy, and the occasional transport drop shouldn't be a big threat with a few Watch Towers. Wall off the next bridge, destroy the debris, and discover the second town as well as the second Relic. If needed, another Castle garrisoned with archers can protect the player from attacks while they build up an army and get to work on the remaining two enemies. Build more military production buildings before the attack, so that the player can bring in reinforcements. With these defenses, it's only a matter of time until the player wins.

The player should also be aware that, as mentioned in the Scouts, the enemies (not only Venetians) will adjust their tactics. This means that if the player masses cavalry and archers, they will start to produce Pikemen and Elite Skirmishers. So make sure to have a wide range of units to conquer the enemies.

A navy with some Cannon Galleons might be a good strategy for slowing down the Venetians, but the Castle and Watch Towers might be more than enough to defend the starting island. In addition, the player should be aware that none of the enemies' Castles are reachable by Cannon Galleons.

Alternative strategy[]

Follow the previous steps up to building the first Castle, but do not clear the debris. Create about 8 or more Trebuchets and load them onto Transport Ships. Putting them on no attack stance, first have them cut through the trees across the river in the east, giving the player access to the Venetians through their farmlands. Unpack all Trebuchets at once and take down the Castle in two shots or less. Move the Trebuchets north to the left-hand side of Caravaggio's base and do the same thing, although the player may take some fire from the Bombard Tower. Load the Trebuchets into a waiting Transport Ship and to the final city. Deploy then northeast of the city walls, take down the Castle, and the game is won.

Outro[]

Though Milan grew stronger with Sforza's victories, the Republicans came to fear and hate him. They saw Sforza as a Caesar intending to topple their new republic. These bookish professors and lawyers listened intently to two agitators who had returned to Milan - two brothers with harsh words and a fierce vendetta against Sforza.

The sons of none other than Piccinino swore vengeance upon Sforza. They incited the Republicans to betray him by signing a secret truce with Brescia before Sforza could take that city. This, of course, angered the condottiero. He had agreed to serve the Republic only in exchange for the city.

Stifling the ambitions of a man like Sforza was a fatal mistake...

Campaigns in Age of Empires II
AoE2-DLCicon-0 The Age of Kings
CampaignIcon-WilliamDE William Wallace Difficulty easy PC: Marching and Fighting ยท Feeding the Army ยท Training the Troops ยท Research and Technology ยท The Battle of Stirling ยท Forge an Alliance ยท The Battle of Falkirk
Xbox: Preparing for Battle ยท The Battle of Stirling ยท Forge an Alliance ยท The Battle of Falkirk
CampaignIcon-JoanDE Joan of Arc Difficulty easy An Unlikely Messiah ยท The Maid of Orleans ยท The Cleansing of the Loire ยท The Rising ยท The Siege of Paris ยท A Perfect Martyr
CampaignIcon-SaladinDE Saladin Difficulty medium An Arabian Knight ยท Lord of Arabia ยท The Horns of Hattin ยท The Siege of Jerusalem ยท Jihad! ยท The Lion and the Demon
CampaignIcon-KhanDE Genghis Khan Difficulty easy Crucible ยท A Life of Revenge ยท Into China ยท The Horde Rides West ยท The Promise ยท Pax Mongolica
CampaignIcon-BarbarossaDE Barbarossa Difficulty easy Holy Roman Emperor ยท Henry the Lion ยท Pope and Antipope ยท The Lombard League ยท Barbarossa's March ยท The Emperor Sleeping
AoE2-DLCicon-1 The Conquerors
CampaignIcon-AttilaDE Attila the Hun Difficulty easy The Scourge of God ยท The Great Ride ยท The Walls of Constantinople ยท A Barbarian Betrothal ยท The Catalaunian Fields ยท The Fall of Rome
CampaignIcon-ElCidDE El Cid Difficulty easy Brother against Brother ยท The Enemy of my Enemy ยท The Exile of the Cid ยท Black Guards ยท King of Valencia ยท Reconquista
CampaignIcon-MontezumaDE Montezuma Difficulty easy Reign of Blood ยท The Triple Alliance ยท Quetzalcoatl ยท La Noche Triste ยท The Boiling Lake ยท Broken Spears
Battles of the Conquerors Icon Battles of the Conquerors Tours ยท Vinlandsaga ยท Hastings ยท Manzikert ยท Agincourt ยท Lepanto ยท Kyoto ยท Noryang Point
Hidden scenario The Saxon Revolt
AoE2-DLCicon-2 The Forgotten
CampaignIcon-AlaricDE Alaric Difficulty hard HD: All Roads Lead to a Besieged City ยท Legionaries on the Horizon! ยท Emperor of the West ยท The Sack of Rome
DE: The Battle of the Frigidus ยท Razing Hellas ยท The Belly of the Beast ยท The Giant Falls ยท A Kingdom of Our Own
CampaignIcon-DraculaDE Vlad Dracula Difficulty medium The Dragon Spreads His Wings ยท The Return of the Dragon ยท The Breath of the Dragon ยท The Moon Rises ยท The Night Falls
CampaignIcon-BariDE Bari Difficulty medium HD: Arrival at Bari ยท The Rebellion of Melus ยท The Great Siege
DE: Arrival at Bari ยท The Rebellion of Melus ยท Loose Ends ยท The Best Laid Plans ยท The Onrushing Tide
CampaignIcon-SforzaDE Sforza Difficulty medium HD: An End and a Beginning ยท O Fortuna ยท The Hand of a Daughter ยท The Ambrosian Republic ยท A New Duke of Milan
DE: Mercenaries and Masters ยท His Own Man ยท Prodigal Son ยท Blood and Betrayal ยท Viva Sforza!
El Dorado Icon El Dorado (removed) Tales of La Canela ยท The Split ยท The Amazones ยท The Cannibals
CampaignIcon-PrithvirajDE Prithviraj Difficulty medium HD: A Promising Warrior ยท The Digvijaya ยท The Elopement ยท Battles of Tarain
DE: Born of Fire ยท The Digvijaya ยท Hand of a Princess ยท The Fate of India ยท The Legend of Prithviraj
Battles of the Forgotten Icon Battles of the Forgotten Bukhara ยท Dos Pilas ยท York ยท Honfoglalรกs ยท Langshan Jiang ยท Kurikara ยท Cyprus ยท Bapheus ยท Kaesong (cut)
AoE2-DLCicon-3 The African Kingdoms
CampaignIcon-TariqIbnZiyadDE Tariq ibn Ziyad Difficulty medium The Battle of Guadalete ยท Consolidation and Subjugation ยท Divide and Conquer ยท Crossing the Pyrenees ยท Razzia
CampaignIcon-SundjataDE Sundjata Difficulty medium Hunted ยท The Sting of the Scorpion ยท Djeriba Gold ยท Blood on the River Bank ยท The Lion's Den
CampaignIcon-FranciscoDE Francisco de Almeida Difficulty hard The Old World ยท Lion of Africa ยท Ruins of Empires ยท Estado da India ยท A Son's Blood
CampaignIcon-YoditDE Yodit Difficulty hard Path of Exile ยท The Right Partner ยท A Fallen Crown ยท Broken Stelae ยท Welcome Home
AoE2-DLCicon-4 Rise of the Rajas
CampaignIcon-GajahMadaDE Gajah Mada Difficulty medium The Story of Our Founders ยท Unconditional Loyalty ยท The Oath to Unify Nusantara ยท Serving the New King ยท The Pasunda Bubat Tragedy
CampaignIcon-SuryavarmanIDE Suryavarman I Difficulty easy Usurpation ยท Quelling the Rebellion ยท A Dangerous Mission ยท Challenging a Thalassocracy ยท Nirvanapada
CampaignIcon-BayinnaungDE Bayinnaung Difficulty hard The Burmese Tigers ยท The Mandalay Cobra ยท The Royal Peacock ยท The White Elephant ยท The Old Tiger
CampaignIcon-LeLoiDE Le Loi Difficulty hard The Dai Viet Uprising ยท The Mountain Siege ยท The Battle at Hanoi ยท Reaching South ยท A Three-Pronged Attack ยท The Final Fortress
AoEIIDE icon Definitive Edition
CampaignIcon-TheArtOfWar The Art of War Difficulty easy Early Economy ยท Booming ยท Rushing the Enemy ยท Fast Castle Age ยท Defending Against A Rush ยท Land Battle ยท Destroying a Castle ยท Naval Battle ยท Battle Formations
CampaignIcon-Pachacuti Pachacuti Difficulty medium A New Power Arises ยท The Field of Blood ยท War of Brothers ยท The Falcon's Tent ยท Like Father, Like Son
00 historical battles normal Historical Battles Difficulty easy Scn 09 bukhara normal Bukhara ยท Scn 10 dos pilas normal Dos Pilas ยท Scn 01 tours normal Tours ยท Scn 11 york normal York ยท Scn 12 honfoglalas normal Honfoglalรกs ยท Scn 02 vinlandsaga normal Vinlandsaga ยท Scn 03 hastings normal Hastings ยท Scn 04 manzikert normal Manzikert ยท Scn 13 kurikara normal Kurikara ยท Scn 14 cyprus normal Cyprus ยท Scn 15 bapheus normal Bapheus ยท Scn 16 lake poyang normal Lake Poyang ยท Scn 05 agincourt normal Agincourt ยท Scn 06 lepanto normal Lepanto ยท Scn 07 kyoto normal Kyoto ยท Scn 08 noryang point normal Noryang Point
Event scenarios Mongol Raiders ยท Barbarossa Brawl ยท Mangudai Madness ยท The Siege (co-op)
AoE2-DLCicon-5 The Last Khans
CampaignIcon-Tamerlane Tamerlane Difficulty easy Amir of Transoxiana ยท Gurkhan of Persia ยท Harbinger of Destruction ยท Sultan of Hindustan ยท Scourge of the Levant ยท A Titan Amongst Mortals
CampaignIcon-Ivaylo Ivaylo Difficulty hard A Most Unlikely Man ยท An Unlikely Alliance ยท Tsar of the Bulgars ยท Echoes of Heroes ยท Where the One-Eyed Man is King
CampaignIcon-Kotyan Kotyan Khan Difficulty hard Raising the Banners ยท The Battle at the Kalka River ยท Saving the Huts ยท Blood for Blood ยท A New Home
AoE2Icon-LordsWest Lords of the West
CampaignIcon-EdwardDE Edward Longshanks Difficulty easy Vain Ambition ยท A Man of God ยท Of Castles and Kings ยท Toom Tabard ยท Hammer of the Scots
CampaignIcon-DukesDE Grand Dukes Difficulty medium A Kingdom Divided ยท The Wolf and the Lion ยท The Cleansing of Paris ยท Unholy Marriage ยท The Hook and Cod Wars ยท The Maid Falls
CampaignIcon-HautevillesDE The Hautevilles Difficulty hard Guiscard Arrives ยท Roger in Sicily ยท Bohemond and the Emperor ยท Bohemond in the East ยท Wonder of the World
Dawn of the Dukes icon Dawn of the Dukes
Algirdas icon Algirdas and Kestutis Difficulty easy Family Affairs ยท No Man's Land ยท The Tatar Yoke ยท A Worthy Opponent ยท In the Shadow of the Throne
32 jadwiga normal Jadwiga Difficulty hard The Matter of the Crown ยท Star of the Poles ยท Duel of the Dukes ยท The Siege of Vilnius ยท Vytautas' Crusade ยท The Fruits of Her Labor
Jan Zizka icon Jan Zizka Difficulty medium The One-Eyed Wanderer ยท Courage and Coin ยท The Iron Lords ยท The Golden City ยท The Emperor's Fury ยท Warrior of God
AoE2Icon-DynastiesIndia Dynasties of India
Babur Icon Babur Difficulty easy Pearl of the East ยท The Last Timurids ยท Into India ยท The Battle of Panipat ยท The Rajputs
Rajendra Icon Rajendra Difficulty hard The Successor ยท Deeds of the Father ยท Rising Star ยท Sacred Waters ยท Slaying the Vritra
Devapala Icon Devapala Difficulty easy Dissatisfaction ยท Desire ยท Renunciation ยท Liberation? ยท Enlightenment
AoE2Icon-MountainRoyals The Mountain Royals
Tamar Icon Tamar Difficulty hard Takeover ยท Yury's Revenge ยท The Protectorate ยท Tamar the Builder ยท The Queen in the Panther's Skin
Thoros Icon Thoros II Difficulty easy Outlawed ยท The Emperor's Revenge ยท Caught in the Crossfire ยท Bloody Crestwaves ยท Of Turncoats and Traitors
Ismail Icon Ismail Difficulty medium The Red Hats ยท Road to Royalty ยท Alexander Safavi ยท The Fallen Amir ยท Khata'i
Aoe2 hb Victors and Vanquished
VictorsAndVanquished Campaign Icon
Victors and Vanquished
Difficulty easy Scn 23 charlemagne Charlemagne ยท Scn 39 drake Drake ยท Scn 26 finehair Finehair ยท Scn 25 ironside Ironside ยท Scn 38 nobunaga Nobunaga
Difficulty medium Scn 36 fetih Fetih ยท Scn 21 gaiseric Gaiseric ยท Scn 24 ragnar Ragnar ยท Scn 27 robert Robert ยท Scn 37 shimazu Shimazu ยท Scn 32 stephen Stephen ยท Scn 33 temujin Temujin ยท Scn 22 vortigern Vortigern
Difficulty hard Scn 35 constantine Constantine XI ยท Scn 30 karlsefni Karlsefni ยท Scn 31 komnenos Komnenos ยท Scn 34 mstislav Mstislav ยท Scn 28 otto Otto ยท Scn 29 seljuk Seljuk
Advertisement