Age of Empires Series Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Divide and Conquer is the third scenario of the Tariq ibn Ziyad campaign in Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms. After conquering much of central Iberian Peninsula, Tariq ibn Ziyad and Musa ibn Nusayr decide to divide their armies and venture further north and capture the cities of Zaragoza and Narbonne.

Intro[]

713 AD, year 91 of the Hegira...

The meeting between Tariq and Musa was strange to witness. The respect between the two is considerable, but there is an air of competition, of rivalry...

The Caliph has ordered that Tariq and Musa return to Damascus, but they refuse to be robbed of their glory. Dividing the army, Tariq strikes north, while Musa targets the city of Zaragoza.

Recognizing our might, a local Visigoth lord, Theodemir of Murcia, has pledged us his support. Home to a strong army and a thriving economy, Murcia will be a potent ally.

However, we have a new and dangerous enemy. Pelayo of Asturias, a Visigoth nobleman, has rallied what was a fractured resistance into a formidable adversary. In his dominion in Asturias, a large army gathers, preparing to attack.

If we can weather the storm that is sure to come, with the blessing of Allah we may even be able to conquer as far as Septimania!

713 AD, year 91 of the Hegira...

The meeting between Tariq and Musa was strange to witness. The respect between the two is considerable, but there is an air of competition, of rivalry...

They will not be robbed of their glory. Despite the order of the Caliph that Tariq and Musa return to Damascus, the two have begun to plan campaigns deeper into enemy territory. Dividing the army, Tariq strikes north, while Musa targets the city of Zaragoza.

A local Visigoth lord, Theodemir of Murcia, has pledged us his support. Home to a strong army and a thriving economy, Murcia will be a potent ally.

However, we have a new and dangerous enemy. Pelayo of Asturias, a Visigoth nobleman, has rallied what was a fractured resistance into a formidable adversary. In his dominion in Asturias, a large army gathers, preparing to attack.

If we can weather the storm that is sure to come, with the blessing of Allah we may even be able to conquer as far as Septimania!

Scenario instructions[]

Starting conditions[]

Differences between difficulty levels[]

  • On standard/moderate difficulty, Narbonne has no Guard Towers in their base.
  • On standard difficulty, the player starts with the Guard Tower upgrade researched.

Objectives[]

  • Destroy Zaragoza's Castle.
  • Destroy Narbonne's Castle.

Hints[]

  1. Your bases are divided and cannot be connected until the two southernmost Asturian fortresses are destroyed. Difficult as it might be, preserving both bases is vital due to their economic and strategic value.
  2. You can ignore the Kingdom of Asturias if you like, but its control of strategic locations and constant raids on your flank might make them a necessary target. Each Asturian fortress is also home to a precious holy relic - capturing them can greatly boost your gold income.
  3. As well as being a potential trade partner, Theodemir of Murcia has pledged to occasionally provide your armies with tribute and military support.
  4. The Mediterranean Sea is an abundant source of fish. Additionally, a trade route to the Balearic Islands will be quite lucrative, provided you can defend it from enemy vessels.
  5. This battle takes place centuries before the introduction of gunpowder into Europe.

Scouts[]

Your scouts report:

  • The Umayyad-Berber army (Yellow) advances in a two-pronged assault on northeastern Iberia. One camp, situated in the south of the map, is poised to strike at the Visigothic castles of Zaragoza (Green) and Narbonne (Cyan), while the second camp, located in the far-west of the map, lies on the border of the Kingdom of Asturias (Red).
  • To the far south lies the Visogothic realm of Murcia (Orange), an ally and dependency of the Umayyad Caliphate.
  • The city of Zaragoza (Green) guards the easternmost crossing of the Ebro river. Zaragoza will field an army of cavalry, Pikemen, and Skirmishers, and a small navy safeguards the city from seaborne incursions up the Ebro river.
  • The city of Narbonne (Cyan) lies in the far northeast of the map on the Mediterranean coastline. Their army consists of Skirmishers and auxiliary Light Cavalry built around a core of infantry. Their navy prowls the Mediterranean, eager to harass any attempts at fishing and trade.
  • The Kingdom of Asturias (Red) is by far the greatest threat. Multiple fortresses in defensible, strategic locations sprawl over the western half of the map, and their army of heavy infantry, cavalry, and powerful siege engines will present a serious challenge to your forces.
  • The locals (Grey) on the Balearic Islands in the east of the map are willing trade partners and may be willing to allow you to use their mines.

Players[]

Player[]

  • Player (CivIcon-Berbers Berbers): Controls two bases, one in the south-center and another in the west. Each has a Town Center, Villagers, a mix of economic and military buildings, and a sizable primarily-cavalry army. The southern base also has access to the water at the delta and commands several warships.

Allies[]

  • Theodemir of Murcia (CivIcon-Goths Goths): Theodemir of Murcia, a Visigothic General, has pledged allegiance to the forces of Tariq and Musa. He has a well fortified base with lots of infantry and a navy. His base is directly south of the player's eastern base and will periodically send the player tributes of gold and some of his soldiers, mainly Champions and Elite Huskarls. He also has a Market and a Dock, which can be used to trade, though it will not make a lot of gold since his base is so close to the player's own base.
  • Locals (CivIcon-Goths Goths): The Locals have their base on a small islands across the Balearic Sea, on the eastern edge of the map. They do not play any major role in this scenario except that their island has a lot of gold mines and upon approaching them, they will let the player use their Mining Camp. They also have a Relic on their island which can be carried back and kept in the player's Monastery. Their Market, located northwest of Narbonne's base, will be used by Narbonne to trade and produce gold.

Enemies[]

  • Kingdom of Asturias (CivIcon-Goths Goths): They are a group of soldiers who have formed a resistance and are being led by Pelayo of Asturias, a Visigoth nobleman. They have four bases spread across the northern and western sides of the map which separate the two main bases of the player. Each of their base is well fortified, with a Castle, Fortified Walls, and quite a few soldiers and siege weapons. They also hold a Relic in a Monastery in each of their four bases. It is not compulsory to defeat them to win, but they will prove to be a big annoyance, especially in the western base of the player if they are not attacked.
  • Zaragoza (CivIcon-Spanish Spanish): Their city is located at the center of the map and is built on both sides of the Erbo River. Their city is well fortified, with a Castle and three special towers called 'The Tower of Flies' which are stronger than regular Watch Towers and have hitpoint regeneration, but have a smaller range. They will generally train Knights, Light Cavalry, Pikemen, and Elite Skirmishers. They also have a smaller base to the east of their city, which has two Docks and a few soldiers guarding it. They will use these Docks to produce a powerful navy and attack the player's Docks and harass their Fishing Ships, if they try to fish.
  • Narbonne (CivIcon-Goths Goths): They have their city at the north-eastern edge of the map, along the coast of the Balearic Sea. Like Zaragoza, their base is also well fortified, along with a powerful navy. They have a large army in their base, comprising of Long Swordsmen, Elite Huskarls, Scorpions, and Battering Rams. They will also use their Galleons and Fire Ships to harass the player's Fishing Ships and attack the player's Docks, along with Zaragoza.

Strategy[]

The objective of the scenario is to destroy the Castles of Zaragoza and Narbonne. The player starts with two separate bases – one on the western edge of the map and another one south of Zaragoza. Both bases have their own economic value – the western base has a lot of gold and stone, while the eastern base has lots of trees nearby and is the player's only access to the Balearic Sea and all the fish in it. Thus, all the Villagers in the western base should be put on gold and stone, while those in the eastern base should cut wood and make farms.

Fishing in the sea will be dangerous, since there are two powerful enemy navies to be careful of. Thus, the player should make Galleys first to ward off enemy ships. Once the player has around ten Galleys, they can start making Fishing Ships. Do not forget to upgrade them to War Galleys and use them to protect the Fishing Ships, immediately replacing the ones that are damaged or destroyed. Since Narbonne is more aggressive at the waters, one strategy is to use Demolition Ships to destroy their Docks to end their harassment. Destroy Zaragoza's docks too for a safe trading and fishing environment.

Narbonne will be the first one to strike. They will attack the eastern base after approximately 10-15 in-game minutes. The player should use the initial army to ward off these attacks. Theodemir of Murcia will periodically give the player Elite Huskarls and Champions, so the player does not need to make many troops of their own. The player should research infantry upgrades as these units will benefit from them (including Plate Mail Armor, that the Goths lack, thus giving the player's Elite Huskarls a total of 12 pierce armor instead of 10). It would be good to make one or two Monks to heal the injured soldiers so they can be used for longer.

Over at the Western base, Kingdom of Asturias will begin attacking the player with Elite Huskarls, Scorpions, and Halberdiers. Once the player has collected enough stone, they should immediately construct a Castle outside their base to defend it. Then start making Knights because the player's initial army will not last long. Make sure to only use the Knights to defend the western base and not to attack their base because the player does not need to waste resources and time attacking the Kingdom of Asturias (though the player can attack them if they are proving too much of an annoyance). If the player wants to attack the Asturians, they should keep in mind that the Berbers have excellent castle drop tactics due to the unique tech Kasbah which speeds up Castle performance. Remember to station any camels inside the castles should the Asturians attempt to destroy the Castles with their trebuchets.

By this time, the player should start to advance to the Imperial Age if they have enough resources. It will be difficult to manage both bases, but do not forget to go back to the eastern base to see if the enemies are attacking there. It would also be a good idea to build a Castle outside the eastern base as well to help defend it.

Defend with Castles[]

It is also possible to defend the base with five Castles (two for each base and another against Narbonne's ships). First, the player must create 10 villagers in each base. In the west base, collect all stone as soon as possible, and collect food in the other base. The first castle must be built in front of the south base before 10 minutes have passed, and the second one besides the river in order to block enemy ships (the AI is quite stupid and will send fleet after fleet against it). Use the ships to secure the area. Three others castles must be built : two in front of the west base, and the fifth besides the first one. The main purpose of the player's armies is to destroy Trebuchets and rams. As soon as possible, research Murder Holes, Ballistics, and Heated Shot (for the anti-naval Castle). Then, develop a strong army (in addition to the ones protecting the Castles) with 4-5 trebuchets, and destroy all fortresses, one by one.

Zaragoza[]

Once the player has reached Imperial Age, go over to the eastern base and start making Trebuchets at the Castle. At least 5-6 Trebuchets are needed so that they can one-strike most buildings. Again, for lesser casualties, I would recommend performing a castle drop outside Zaragoza. Make sure to rack up enough stone from mines, or buy them at the Market if the player has enough gold. Build 2-3 Castles and fill them up with Camel Archers. While the enemy units are rushing to the Castle just to get themselves killed, send the Trebuchets accompanied by a few defending cavalry units to turn the Castle into rubble.

Once Zaragoza is defeated, train more Cavaliers and Trebuchets and take the fight to Narbonne. Bring all the soldiers from both bases since the player does not need the bases anymore. Open a hole in the wall, bring in the Cavaliers to protect the Trebuchets and attack the military buildings, while the Trebuchets attack the Castle. In case the player's soldiers die, keep Cavaliers queued up in the Stables back at the base. Eventually, Narbonne will be overpowered and their Castle will go down.

Narbonne[]

It is also possible to attack Narbonne from the water. Mass up a huge fleet of Demolition Ships and blow up the wall surrounding the Castle. The Castle should take damage from the Demolition Ship's area of effect damage. For any excess Demolition Ships, just move them to Narbonne's Castle, as close as possible, and just delete them. After the castle is damaged by a half, or a fourth of its HP, transport the champions and Huskarls to the breach by the sea and level the Castle. Once their Castle is destroyed, the player is victorious.

Outro[]

Septimania and the Ebro Valley have fallen beneath the heel of our glorious armies, but we have not achieved a complete victory. Tariq and Musa were forced to return to Damascus, and without their leadership it will be difficult to defeat the Asturians.

The future of the conquest looks bleak. I shall continue to chronicle the events ahead, though I fear that our land may fall victim to invasions and internal strife, like so many other kingdoms before us.

Septimania and the Ebro Valley have fallen beneath the heel of our glorious armies, but we have not achieved a complete victory. Tariq and Musa were forced to return to Damascus, and without their leadership we will find it difficult to defeat the Asturians.

The future of the conquest looks bleak. I shall continue to chronicle the events ahead, though I fear that our land may fall victim to invasions and internal strife, like so many other kingdoms before us.

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