This article focuses only on the co-op scenario in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, based on Harbinger of Destruction, the third scenario of the Tamerlane campaign in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. It is based on the conflict between Tamerlane and Tokhtamysh.
Scenario instructions[]
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Starting conditions[]
- Starting Age:
Castle Age - Starting resources:
- Population limit: 150
- Player A
- Starting units:
- 12 Villagers
- 19 Cavalry Archers
- 23 Steppe Lancers
- 9 Light Cavalry
- 10 Steppe Lancers
- 12
- Starting units:
- Player B
- Starting units:
- Bulgar Khan
- 12 Villagers
- 22 Konniks
- 3 Light Cavalry
- 5 Spearmen
- Starting units:
Objectives[]
- Main Objectives
+ Defeat the enemy force blocking your way across the icy ford. + Destroy 2 of Tokhtamysh's 3 power centers (Sarai, Astrakhan, and Azov).
- Secondary Objectives
- Capture the town of Ryazan (Grey) by killing the garrison defending it. - Destroy enemy storehouses (Trade Workshops) to capture the food stored there. - Destroy the Italian merchant colony (Blue) near Azov that is supplying Tokhtamysh's forces. - Send messengers to parlay with the two chieftains of the Golden Horde. - Deliver 2 Siege Towers to Timur Qutlugh's camp in the east so that he can attack Astrakhan.
Hints[]
- Tamerlane's forces (Purple) and his Volga Bulgar allies (Cyan) cannot advance past the Castle Age or muster a population larger than 150. Utilize the durability of your horsemen and the looting abilities of Keshiks to compensate for this.
- Farming and building Docks or ships is impossible in the midst of the harsh Russian winter. Look for other ways to feed your army.
- Ryazan is renowned for its siege engineers. Perhaps your soldiers will be able to locate plans for advanced siege equipment there.
- Your enemies rely on supply stores scattered around the map. Destroying these will allow you to claim the provisions for your own.
- A secondary Timurid army is marching through the Caucasus to reinforce Tamerlane. Take advantage of its arrival to catch your enemies in a pincer movement.
Scouts[]
- Tamerlane's army of cavalry (Purple) has arrayed itself on the eastern bank of the icy Kondurcha River. Facing them on the opposite side is Tokhtamysh's army of Light Cavalry, Cavalry Archers, and Russian infantry.
- Recently subjugated by Tamerlane, the Volga Bulgars (Cyan) camp to the far north.
- To the northwest lies the Russian city of Ryazan (Grey), a dependency of Tokhtamysh. Its army consists mostly of Light Cavalry and Skirmishers led by the local Boyars.
- The city of Astrakhan (Orange) lies to the southeast where the Volga meets the Caspian Sea. Its army initially consists of Keshiks and Pikemen, but will eventually field Kipchak cavalry and swordsmen.
- Tokhtamysh's capital of Sarai is located in the center of the map. Sarai relies on an army of Mangudai and Light Cavalry, but may add siege engines to the mix as well.
- To the southwest, where the Don River flows into the Black Sea, is the city of Azov (Green). Azov is defended by Boyars and swordsmen, but will deploy Pikemen to counter the Timurid cavalry forces.
- Across the river from Azov is a colony of Venetian and Genoese merchants (Blue) that supplies the enemy forces. Destroying it would be quite a blow to their war effort.
- The Golden Horde (Yellow) has camps in the west and east of the map. Though initially loyal to Tokhtamysh, its leaders may be persuaded to turn against him given the proper set of circumstances.
Players[]
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Player[]
- Player A (AI name: Tamerlane) ( Tatars): Timurid forces begin in a battle against the Golden Horde across a frozen river in the north. After the battle, they can start up an economy and are tasked with razing the local cities. After a while, a separate reinforcing army will arrive in the south, allowing for a pincer maneuver.
- Player B (AI name: Volga Bulgars) ( Bulgarians): The Volga Bulgars have a small encampment in the northernmost part of the map. After siding with Tamerlane, they will supply the player with periodic tributes of food and Konniks.
Enemy → Ally[]
- The Golden Horde ( Tatars): The Golden Horde and its armies have their bases in the west and east. They can be persuaded to join the army of Tamerlane after winning the initial battle.
Enemies[]
- Ryazan ( Slavs): Ryazan is a small town in the northwest that can be captured by killing its troops. They will defend themselves with Boyars, Light Cavalry, and Skirmishers. They will also have the support of siege weapons if left unchecked.
- Sarai ( Mongols): The strongest opponent. Sarai will attacks the player´s base more often than any other players, with Mangudais, Cavalry Archers, Light Cavalry, and siege weapons.
- Astrakhan ( Cumans): Their initial Astrakhani forces have Keshiks, but they will also use Pikemen, swordsmen, and Kipchaks. At some point in the scenario, they will start building a Wonder, putting the Timurids on a timer to raze it.
- Azov ( Slavs): Azov serves as a power center of Tokhtamysh. The city will rely on Boyars and swordsmen, but will add Pikemen to counter the Timurids cavalry force.
- Italian Merchants ( Italians): Italian colonies are situated near the city of Azov, along the southern coast. They have a token defense force and can be easily defeated in order to weaken the Golden Horde forces.
Strategy[]
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