Age of Empires Series Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Nirvanapada is the fifth and final scenario in the Suryavarman I campaign in Age of Empires II HD: Rise of the Rajas.

Intro[]

With the maritime rivals of the empire crushed, Suryavarman set his sights on the mainland. As the war with the Tambralinga-Srivijaya alliance had progressed, it had not escaped his attention that rivals closer to home had been plotting and wishing for his ruin.

The rulers of the various Burmese and Cham kingdoms slunk around in the shadows like disgraced cowards. Instead of recognizing the superiority of their larger neighbor, they deviously plotted its downfall and encouraged rebellion within it!

This behavior was unacceptable. Suryavarman's enemies may have been too intimidated to face the Khmer juggernaut head-on, but Suryavarman had no reservations about challenging his neighbors.

It was high time that the empire saw further expansion. The Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers snaked through rich, fertile lands held by decadent, unstable kingdoms ripe for conquest.

Triumph would add yet another achievement to Suryavarman's legendary military record.

With the maritime rivals of the empire crushed, Suryavarman set his sights on the mainland. As the war with the Tambralinga-Srivijaya alliance had progressed, it had not escaped his attention that rivals closer to home had been plotting and wishing for his ruin.

The rulers of the various Burmese and Cham kingdoms slunk around in the shadows like disgraced cravens. Instead of recognizing the superiority of their larger neighbor, they deviously plotted its downfall and encouraged rebellion within it!

This behavior was unacceptable. Suryavarman's enemies may have been to intimidated to face the Khmer juggernaut head-on, but Suryavarman had no such reservations. These provocations had provided an optimal casus belli.

It was high time that the empire saw further expansion. The Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers snaked through rich, fertile lands held by decadent, unstable kingdoms ripe for conquest.

Triumph would add yet another achievement to Suryavarman's legendary military record.

Scenario instructions[]

Starting conditions[]

Differences between difficulty levels[]

  • On standard difficulty, the player starts with most Imperial Age technologies and upgrades researched.

Objectives[]

  • Choose one of the following two objectives:
    • Defeat three of your five enemies (Hariphunchai, Lavo Kingdom, Northern Cham, Southern Cham, and Khmer Rebels).
    • Construct and defend a Wonder.

Hints[]

  1. Suryavarman I's army can support a population of 200.
  2. It is monsoon season in Southeast Asia. The turbulent conditions make it impossible to launch and maintain hulking siege ships.
  3. Although the majority of the combat in this scenario will be land-based, control of the water can be used to deadly effect.
  4. Most of the map will soon become a battleground. The southern portion, however, is a relatively safe area to build your economy.
  5. Mineral resources are somewhat scarce. Fortunately, you can rely on the recently-defeated Srivijaya for supplementary tributes.

Scouts[]

Your scouts report:

  • Suryavarman I (1, Cyan) controls the heart of the Khmer Empire, based primarily in the center of the map. Though initially in a powerful position, adversity will come swiftly in the form of invaders and rebels alike.
  • The Hariphunchai (2, Red) hold two citadels to the northwest, and field an army composed almost entirely of light horsemen.
  • The Lavo Kingdom (3, Blue) is based in a mountain fortress in the far west of the map. Their forces consist of infantry, Skirmishers and Monks.
  • The Northern Cham (4, Green) controls the coastal town of Indrapura to the northeast. Rattan Archers, Battle Elephants, and Halberdiers comprise their land forces, but they will also build a small navy.
  • The Southern Cham (5, Purple) are based in a set of bastions on the eastern coastline. Their army of light infantry and Crossbowmen is complemented by a large navy.
  • The Khmer Rebels (6, Orange) have seized two military bases guarding important river crossings north of the Khmer Empire. Their military consists primarily of swordsmen, ballistae and elephants.
  • The Dai Viet (7, Yellow) holds a fortress to the far north, watching the conflict to the south with much interest. Perhaps their army of cavalry and javelineers can be persuaded to attack some of Suryavarman's enemies...

Players[]

Player[]

  • Player (CivIcon-Khmer Khmer): Starts with two bases with nearly all necessary buildings in the south of the map, the two separated by the Mekong River. The northern base has considerable defenses, along with a massive land army of elephants, infantry, Light Cavalry, and Monks, while the southern base has economic structures and access to the sea around the peninsula.

Neutral → Ally[]

  • Dai Viet (CivIcon-Vietnamese Vietnamese): They are located to the north. At the beginning, they are neutral to the player, but after 40 minutes they will offer an alliance (player has to send 1,000 gold to Dai Viet to make it, but if the player acquires all 5 Relics at the beginning of the game gold should not be a problem). It is very important to make this alliance because not only will the Dai Viet not attack the player, but they will take care of the Northern Cham almost by themselves.

Enemy[]

  • Southern Cham (CivIcon-Malay Malay): They are located to the east and produce a land army of Karambit Warriors, Arbalesters with occasionally Halberdiers or Two-Handed Swordsmen mixed in, and navy consisting primarily of Galleons and sometimes also heavy Demolition Ships or Fast Fire Ships. Sometimes they will also bring a Capped Ram or two.
  • Northern Cham (CivIcon-Vietnamese Vietnamese): They will send attack forces of Rattan Archers, Battle Elephants, and Skirmishers. As soon as the player makes an alliance with the Dai Viet, they will not be a problem at all.
  • Khmer Rebels (CivIcon-Khmer Khmer): Their army mainly consists of Battle Elephants, Ballista Elephants, and Scorpions. They have no Villagers and are therefore unable to reconstruct or repair their buildings.
  • Lavo Kingdom (CivIcon-Burmese Burmese): They are located to the west and their army consists of Champions, Halberdiers, Monks, and Capped Rams. The Lavo Kingdom can be frustrating for players who try to pump out lots of Elephants (which is not advised at all against their Halberdiers and Monks).
  • Hariphunchai (CivIcon-Burmese Burmese): They are located to the northwest and their army consists of Arambai, Cavalry Archers, Hussars, and Trebuchets. Because of the Trebuchets, he is the most harassing player, who can destroy the player's defenses if left unattended. They also have a tendency to try to aid in the defense of the enemies. They have no Villagers and are therefore unable to reconstruct or repair their buildings.

Strategy[]

There are two ways to win this scenario.

One way is to defeat three of the five main opponents, the other way is to build and defend a Wonder.

Startup[]

There are a lot of things to do in a small amount of time at the start. The player has two bases, the northern one consists of military buildings, two Docks as well as a Monastery, the southern one has the Town Center, another Monastery, a University and one Dock. Between these bases lies an area with gold, stone and some trees, where the player also has control of a few Villagers.

The main goal of the game start is to eliminate at least the nearest Red and Purple bases, they are too close to the player and achieve victory without killing them is almost impossible.

First move the player should do is immediately produce three Trebuchets from the two Castles in the north base. One of these trebuchets should be send to the southern base to attack the Southern Cham, the rest two Trebuchets should be used to attack the Hariphunchai base.

After Trebuchet production is started, send one Light Cavalry unit to the southern Relic - the Lavo Kingdom player will send a Monk immediately to pick it. Start the construction of a Town Center with the Villagers between the bases, research the Fast Fire Ship upgrade and pick most or all of the Relics (there is one in the south which should be guarded by the Light Cavalry unit sent before - try to pick this Relic as soon as possible, because the Lavo Kingdom will send an attacking force soon, another is a little bit north from the northern-player's base, two Relics are in the northern base and one is in the southern base). As soon as player has enough stone they should build a Castle between their south base and the southeast Purple base.

Then it will be time for multi-tasking, because it is almost necessary to push both lines and protect the water simultaneously:

Defending the waterways[]

Because it is not possible to make Cannon Galleons in this scenario, making a big fleet is useless. It should be enough to build 6-8 Fast Fire Ships and send them to the player's southern Docks. It is also very helpful to build one or two Towers (but first the Castle has to be built in the southern base). Along with the Fire Ships, this will take care of any naval attacks.

Because of the fact the player cannot produce Cannon Galleons it is impossible to put any pressure to any of enemy bases. But, they can produce a few Galleons and send them to the northern base to defend it against the Khmer Rebels.

Pushing to the South[]

The starting army in the southern base along with one Trebuchet and the newly-build Castle should be more than enough to destroy the southern Purple base. Primary targets for the trebuchet are production buildings, because this will stop units' flow and killing the fortification without unit protection is easy with Trebuchets. Just try not to engage in bigger battles anywhere else than under the player's own Castle-fire. After the player razes down this Hariphunchai base, they should wall themselves in by using the forest and the Hariphunchai walls - by doing this, the player can stop at least the majority of the Southern Cham's harassment.

Pushing to the North[]

This is by far the most difficult part, which consists of much multitasking. The pushing to the north strategy includes few rounds of back and forth action. When the Monk with the south Relic returns to the Monastery, it might be wise to build walls in the "forest neck" leading to the Lavo Kingdom's base - this is the only passage from where their forces can attack - so their progress can be slowed down a lot because of this wall.

Alongside walling the player should build one or two Archery Ranges and pump out as many Skirmishers and Pikemen/Halberidiers as possible, because the main threat are the Hariphunchai, who produce mainly Arambai and Cavalry Archers, escorted by a few Light Cavalry units.

Try to destroy the Hariphunchai Archery Range and Castle as soon as possible, do not bother with their Trebuchets which may destroy the player's own Trebuchets, or vice-versa, just focus on the buildings. If the player is fast enough they can destroy their Castle with the first two Trebuchets, but if they are killed before the Castle is destroyed, build another two and start the production of Halberdiers, Light Cavalry, Crossbowmen, and Monks. Cavalry are needed to take down Orange Scorpions, Red Trebuchets, and Blue Rams, Crossbowmen can take down Blue's infantry as well as Red's Cavalry Archers and Arambai, and Halberdiers can take down all Elephants and Light Cavalry. If the player has enough gold, 6-8 Monks should be placed around the Castles and convert the Khmer Rebels' Elephants.

After destroying the southern Red base and the southern Purple base, it depends on the player if they wish to build a Wonder or if they wish to destroy more enemies. Either option should be a piece of cake after all of the above have been dealt with. No matter the path taken, the second red base with Trebuchets is the hardest to deal with, but destroying this base goes hand to hand with destroying both Khmer Rebels' bases, so than there might be no reason to build the Wonder.

Alternative strategy - Building Wonder at the start[]

There are a lot of things to be done at the start and it's important that the player does them concurrently rather than one at a time.

When the game starts, immediately queue a Transport Ship and transport all Villagers to the southern landmass near the Outposts. Build a Town Center with these Villagers and then start building the Wonder in the southernmost island. Market use may be required to get enough resources for the Wonder. While the Wonder is being built, send all military units to the southern area. They can be transported as well, but that will require some micro.

Use the Monks to collect all Relics and transport them across the water as well. Build one more Town Center in the new base and start producing Villagers. In the meantime, queue Villagers in the only Town Center and task them all to stone and gold. The player's initial Town Center will soon fall ,so making more than 15 Villagers there will be a waste. An economy or 50 to 80 Villagers should be the target.

At this point, all focus should be collecting stone and walling off the only side that the enemies can use to reach the Wonder. Two layers of walls, two Castles, and the initial army should be able to hold off until the Wonder is completed and there are less than 100 years left on the count down. The player will get attacked from the water as well, so towers should be built. 5 Keeps on the southernmost island with Heated Shot will hold off any attack from the water.

Once the initial army is halfway spent, switch to Hussars or Cavaliers. These two units will be fast enough to take care of any siege, and the Castles can hold off the rest. If executed well, the game can be won without losing more than 50 units.

Achievement[]

In the Definitive Edition, the "Relic Hoarder" achievement can be earned by collecting all nine Relics on the map. Four of them are in the player's base. Since the Lavo Kingdom will also attempt to collect Relics, the player should rush in getting as many more Relics as possible. Regarding the other five Relics:

  • One is right north of the player's two Castles and so it should be easy to get.
  • One is right south of the player's base and so the player can use a Transport Ship to cross the river to get it before the Lavo Kingdom does.
  • One is close to the Southern Cham's southern base, but the player can avoid enemy fire by sailing through the river on a Transport Ship.
  • One is in the eastern corner of the map, and so the player should sail through the limits of the map to avoid being targeted by enemy ships.
  • Finally, one is between the two Hariphunchai bases, and so will be mostly likely collected by the Lavo Kingdom. The player will have to attack the Lavo Kingdom to steal the Relic.

Outro[]

Hegemony is a wonderful thing. The power and prestige of the Khmer Empire reached new levels under Suryavarman I, and all prospered.

Despite being known as a great conqueror, Suryavarman was not simply a militaristic aggressor. His reign was marked by vast improvements in the general infrastructure of the empire and an emphasis on religious toleration.

He erected numerous palaces and temple complexes and ruled benevolently. His legacy lives through these structures, the pride of our citizens, and the strength of the Khmer Empire.

This legacy is a cause worth defending. It is this notion of greatness that you must invoke to electrify the minds of the common soldiery.

Hegemony is a wonderful thing. The power and prestige of the Khmer Empire reached new levels under Suryavarman I, and all prospered.

Despite being known as a great conqueror, Suryavarman was not simply a militaristic aggressor. His reign was marked by vast improvements in the general infrastructure of the empire and an emphasis on religious toleration.

He erected numerous palaces and temple complexes and ruled benevolently. His legacy lives through these structures, the pride of our citizens, and the strength of the Khmer Empire.

This legacy is a cause worth defending, for Suryavarman's image lives on within it. It is this notion of greatness that you must invoke to electrify the minds of the common soldiery.

Trivia[]

  • Lavo Kingdom and Hariphunchai are both kingdoms established by Mons. As a result, it is more fitting to represent them as Khmer.
  • In the after-game summary, tributes sent by Srivijaya will show as a negative number as "tributes sent", instead of a normal positive number in "tributes received".
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