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This article is about the map in Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome, Age of Empires II, Age of Mythology and Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition - Knights of the Mediterranean. For the map in Age of Empires IV previously known as Mediterranean, see Baltic. |
Mediterranean is a random map in Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome, Age of Empires II, Age of Mythology and Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition - Knights of the Mediterranean.
Age of Empires[]
Mediterranean selection
| “ | A large lake at the center, with rivers flowing in from random directions. This map offers plenty of battles on both water and land. | ” |
| —Return of Rome description | ||
This map features a sea in its middle, that supports decent numbers of Fish (including Shore Fish) and Whales. Control of this encircled sea is imperative, for two reasons: first, the mainland tends to be more poor than in most other maps, featuring less huntables.
Second, and most important, control of the sea allows players to easily raid enemy positions by using Transports, and thus avoiding traveling around the circumference of the sea.
Age of Empires II[]
| “ | An inland sea surrounded by land; sounds deceptively peaceful. | ” |
| —Description | ||
Description[]
The map features a central sea, encircled by land. What sets it apart from Baltic is the presence of additional herdable animals (usually found in groups of three) scattered around the ring of land, and that the size of the central sea is smaller than on Baltic and tend to be much more asymmetrical, meaning that scouting the land is even more important than on Baltic.
The asymmetry of the sea may means that sometimes one side of the land is much wider than the other one. Bays or gulf are rarely generated on the map, unlike on Baltic.
The start-up for each player is the standard one, with 8 small herdables near (or six Cows) a herd of Deer, 2 Boars and 6 Berry Bushes. Wild predators are absent and Relics are present in standard numbers.
Starting resources[]
| Resource | Quantity per unit | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Sheep OR 6 Cows | 100 food OR 150 food | 800 food OR 900 food |
| 2 Boars | 340 food | 680 food |
| 6 Forage Bushes | 125 food | 750 food |
| 4 Deer | 140 food | 560 food |
| 1 7-tile Gold Mine | 800 gold | 5,600 gold |
| 2 4-tile Gold Mines | 800 gold | 6,400 gold |
| 1 5-tile Stone Mine | 350 stone | 1,750 stone |
| 1 4-tile Stone Mine | 350 stone | 1,400 stone |
Viable tactics[]
Depending on the starting position of the player, and the proximity of chokepoints and the sea, it might or might not be a sound idea to Turtle, but one should keep landing parties away.
Either way, it is once again imperative to control the central sea, as the fish can help to save wood from Farms, and the sea offers an excellent way to save time, by embarking armies with Transport Ships in order to detour the sea's circumference.
As mentioned previously, scouting is key on this map, as there are additional herdable animals scattered in groups that may provide a good source of food.
Strategies that work on Baltic may also work on Mediterranean. Booming and turtle strategies are very effective on Mediterranean if the shape of the sea enables the player to enclose territory. Early land rush standard strategies (infantry, cavalry or archer rushes) may work well, especially if the shape of the central sea makes it difficult for the opponent to wall and defend. Galley rushes and land-to-rush strategies may work as well.
Civilizations with advantages include:
- Civilizations with good navy: Vikings, Spanish, Byzantines, Malay, Italians, Portuguese, Persians, Koreans, Japanese, etc.
- Civilizations with good defense and particularly good towers and Castles: Koreans, Inca, Teutons, Byzantines, Turks, etc.
- Civilizations with bonuses regarding Fishing ships, or better shore fish workrate: Japanese, Malay, Italians, Dravidians.
- Civilizations regarding sheep and shepherds: Tatars, Britons, Celts, Maya.
Age of Mythology[]
Mediterranean icon in Age of Mythology.
Mediterranean icon in Retold
| “ | The pastoral countryside surrounding the middle sea supports many herd animals. | ” |
| —Map description | ||
Mediterranean also features in Age of Mythology as a naval map. A large body of water abundant with Perches and Mahi-mahi lies in the center of the map surrounded by plains. In the center, there might be an islet present, usually featuring lone palms, a Baboon and rarely, a Gold Mine.
There is some wildlife, such as Wild Boars and Deer, to hunt but it will be quickly be depleted. If players do not want to resort to farming too early, they will need to fight for dominance of the sea. Beware of scattered Lions in this land, as they are a threat to passing worker units.
A typical game begins with players engaging in Arrow Ship warfare until one team gains control of the important food source. In the aftermath, the loser or losers will need to manage their resources carefully if they want to win. It takes considerably longer for armies to reach an enemy base as they have to travel around the circumference of the sea.
Age of Empires III[]
Minimap of Mediterranean
| “ | A large sea dividing Europe and Africa that is teeming with Fish, Whales, and Treasures. Natural resources on land are limited and will be quickly depleted so players must fight for dominance of the sea and the two lucrative Trade Routes and Royal Houses. Several islands dot the sea and provide strategic points for players to control and establish a strong presence on the sea. | ” |
| —In-game description | ||
Mediterranean is one of the three maps added to Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition in update 13.18214.
Overview[]
| “ | Mediterranean: Teams spawn on separate land masses along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Nearby natural resources on land are limited. Expand to the surrounding land masses and fight for control of the sea and lucrative Trade Routes. All players begin with a dock wagon. | ” |
| —In-game description | ||
Teams spawn on separate land masses along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Nearby natural resources on land are limited so players must expand to the surrounding land masses while fighting for control of the sea and lucrative Trade Routes.
A large sea dividing Europe and Africa that is teeming with Fish, Whales, and Treasures. Natural resources on land are limited and will be quickly depleted so players must fight for dominance of the sea and the two lucrative Trade Routes and Royal Houses. Several islands dot the sea and provide strategic points for players to control and establish a strong presence on the sea.
Trivia[]
- Although the Age of Empires III map includes the Northern African coast, only European minor civilizations appear.
- The Baltic map from Age of Empires IV was originally called Mediterranean, but it was changed because it generated confusion with the biome of the same name.
Similar maps[]
Gallery[]
