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This article is about the scenario in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition. For scenario in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, see Rushing the Enemy. |
| “ | The enemy is building up its base undisturbed. This is not acceptable! One of your Settlers is building a forward Barracks in the center of the map so that you can train soldiers to rush the enemy. This is your town. You have all that you need to start to rushing the enemy. Be quick and kill some enemy Villagers before they can organize a defense! | ” |
| —First lines spoken in the scenario. | ||
Early Offense is the seventh scenario of The Art of War in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition. This scenario serves as a test to the player's skill at managing an early offense by using the concept of early attacks and rushes.
Video instruction[]
Targets and Offensive Strategies
Rushing-attacking the enemy early-is another strategy. A small investement in military will pay off if you can cripple your enemy's economy and gain an advantange. War is economy by other means, after all. Cavalry and ranged units are best suited to rushing due to their mobility and range.
Settlers and Villagers require some effort to kill. It would be wise to move your units as close to them as possible and attack them before the enemy notices your presence. That way, you can maximize your damage, even as they try to run.
Dealing damage with melee attacks will cause fleeing units to be slowed for a few seconds. This is called "snaring", and makes it harder for the opponent to escape a dangerous situation-which in turn often guarantees kills for the snaring player.
Beware of enemy defenses! The longer that yoour riders stay alive, the more you will be able to harass and disrupt your enemy's economy. If you do not think that you can face the defenders, it is better to run and fight another day...or seek out more undefended Settlers.
Scenario instructions[]
Primary objectives[]
- Kill 8 enemy Villagers.
Secondary objectives[]
Players[]
Player[]
- Germans (
Germans): The player starts with one Explorer, one Town Center, 4 Houses and some Settlers, and has to concentrate on the objectives to win the medals. They have one Barracks further south to do the rushes, but it is undefended.
Enemy[]
- Aztecs ( Aztecs): The enemy starts with one Town Center, 5 Houses, and some Villagers, They have one Market south to do the rushes, and it is undefended.
Home City Cards[]
- Click here to see an overview of all Home City Cards available in the "Early Offense" The Art of War
| Card | Description | Age |
|---|---|---|
 8 Crossbowmen
| Delivers 8 Crossbowmen, +2 Uhlans |  |
 Palatine Settlements
| House population support +20, +2 Uhlans | |
 Fencing School
| Infantry (except Warrior Priest and Skull Knight) and shock infantry train time -40%, +2 Uhlans | |
 Riding School
| Cavalry train time -40%; Cuirassier, Oprichnik, and Hakkapelit train time -35% instead; Gatling Camel train time -20% instead, +2 Uhlans | |
Medals[]
- Gold: Complete the scenario in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Silver: Complete the scenario in 4 minutes.
- Bronze: Complete the scenario in 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
Treasures[]
There are eleven treasures on the map:
Click for a list of treasures and their guardians related to the "Early Offense" The Art of War
| Treasure | Reward | Guardians |
|---|---|---|
| A stockpile of coriander seeds worth | 80 food | 2x  Snow Leopard
|
| Empress Zoe's bankbook grants a 5% discount on most Coin costs. | Unit and technology coin cost -5% | 2x  Tibetan Macaque4x  Fugitive Dacoit
|
| The shield of El Pollo Guapo, which increases Explorer or Hero hitpoints by | 30% | 2x  Tiger
|
| A stand of live oak worth | 70 wood | 2x Tiger
|
| A curious macaque with an assortment of stolen goods worth | 35 coin, 35 XP | 2x Tibetan Macaque
|
| A pool of quicksilver worth | 75 coin | 2x Tiger
|
| A patch of delicious wild mizuna worth | 120 food | 5x Tibetan Macaque
|
| A cache of tin worth | 140 coin | 3x Tiger
|
| Possible remnants of the fabled valley Shangri-La worth | 350 food | 3x  Mongol Rider2x  Blind Monk
|
| Possible remnants of the fabled valley Shangri-La worth | 300 XP | 2x Blind Monk 2x Mongol Rider
|
| A stand of spruce trees worth | 70 wood | 2x Tiger
|
The map is based on the Himalayas - Upper map. It features a great snowy plain and Serows near the base to hunt. Since this is a timed and limited scenario, the player should focus on Serows and get them as close as possible to the Town Center to maximize food harvest, advance in age, and create the required troops to attack the enemy town in time and win the scenario.
Strategy[]
The player must be fast. With one Settler, build some Houses to get the first shipment and send the 8 Crossbowmen card. Meanwhile, have another Settler build one Barracks and create some Pikemen to send the Palatine Settlements shipment for more population space. The player can then build another Barracks to create a great army for attacking the enemy between the second and fifth minute. If the player is fast, they can complete the scenario before the fifth minute to get the bronze medal.
Trivia[]
- This is the only scenario in Age of Empires III where the player plays as the Germans.
