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This article is about the the scenario in Age of Empires. For the game mode in the series, see Random map. |
Skirmish is the fifth scenario of the Ascent of Egypt campaign in Age of Empires. An earlier version is the second scenario of the Dawn of Civilization beta campaign (and the CGW Demo). The scenario introduces the basic fundamentals of military combat to the player.
Scenario instructions[]
Description[]
| “ | Lower Egypt, around 3800 BCE New technologies have allowed your tribe to grow but have also brought conflict. The spread of the Sahara's sands has forced neighboring tribes to migrate into your lands to seize control of your foraging Sites and defensive positions. Raiding parties from Upper Egypt have come down the river. Intercept and destroy these invaders before they infiltrate your villages and steal your food supplies. |
” |
| —In-game section | ||
| “ | 5500 BC With new technologies for obtaining food, populations along the Nile have been growing for many generations. Neighboring tribes are moving toward conflict as they strive to control good food lands, tool stone sites, and defensive positions. Recently, raiding parties from Upper Egypt (up river but to the south) have been coming down the river. Food gatherers nearby have spotted one such party. Intercept and destroy these invaders before they infiltrate your village sites and stores of food. |
” |
| —In-game section | ||
| “ | 5000 BC The Hyksos tribe originally from the Mediterranean coast has sent raiders deep into your lands. You have learned to manage your civilization, now you must learn to defend it as well. If these raiders are not pushed back decisively, more raiders and perhaps an invasion may follow. A war party has been sent out to remove these interlopers from our lands. Guide this party toward the east and eliminate any enemies found there. |
” |
| —In-game section | ||
Tutorial[]
- REVIEWING YOUR TROOPS
- You begin this mission with an assortment of military units (four Axemen and three Bowmen). Select a unit to review its capabilities. Its attributes (e.g. hit points, attack strength, armor, pierce armor, range) are shown in the status box in the bottom of the game screen. Axemen have more attack strength than Bowmen, but the Bowmen have range, which allows them to fire on enemies from a distance.
- SELECTING MILITARY UNITS
- To select several military units, left-click-and-drag the cursor over the military units you want to group (or hold down the CTRL key and click each unit).
- ENGAGING IN COMBAT
- Enemy units become visible when they are within your units' line of sight. They disappear again if they are beyond it. Your units automatically attack any enemy units in sight.
Starting conditions[]
Objective[]
- Defeat the Egyptian Raiders.
- Destroy the invading tribe.
- Destroy the Enemy tribe
- Eliminate the Hyksos invaders and destroy their camp.
Hints[]
- The enemy war party is located to the east.
- Keep your units together so you can take out one enemy unit at a time.
- Use your Axemen for melee combat, and keep the Bowmen behind them to take advantage of their range.
- Bowmen firing down at the enemy from cliffs or elevation deal extra damage.
- Try to concentrate your fire on one enemy to kill him quickly.
- The small war party from Upper Egypt is located to the east.
- Keep your units together so you can take out the enemy one unit at a time.
- An alternative, more advanced tactic, is to split your military units into two groups (Bowmen and Axemen) so you can keep the Bowmen back to take advantage of their range, and use the Axemen for hand-to-hand combat.
- Bowmen firing down at the enemy from cliffs or elevation cause extra damage.
- If possible, concentrate your fire on one enemy to kill him quickly.
- A small war party from Upper Egypt is located to the east.
- Keep your units together so you can take out the enemy one unit at a time.
- Or, split your military units into two groups (Bowmen and Axemen) so you can keep the Bowmen back to take advantage of their range and use the Axemen for hand-to-hand combat.
- Bowmen firing down at the enemy from cliffs or elevation cause extra damage.
- If possible, concentrate your fire on one enemy to kill him quickly.
- A small war party from Upper Egypt is located nearby. Keep your units together so you can take out the enemy one unit at a time. Or, you can split your military units into two groups (Bowmen and Axemen) so you can keep the Bowmen back to take advantage of their range and use the Axemen for hand-to-hand combat. Bowmen firing down at the enemy from cliffs or elevation cause extra damage. If possible, concentrate your fire on one enemy to kill him quickly.
Players[]
Player[]
- Player (
Egyptians): The player starts with a tool age army in the western corner of the map.
Enemies[]
- Egyptian Raiders ( Egyptians): The Egyptian Raiders start with a tool age army scattered in the east half of the map.
Player[]
- Player ( Egyptians): The player starts with a tool age army in the western corner of the map.
Enemy[]
- Enemy ( Egyptians): The enemy (whose name is picked randomly from the pool of Egyptian AI names) starts with a tool age army scattered in the east half of the map. They change diplomatic stance towards the player from neutral to enemy within the first seconds of the game.
Player[]
- Egypt ( Egyptians): The player starts with a tool age army in the western corner of the map.
Enemy[]
- Hyskos ( Egyptians): The Hyskos start with a tool age army scattered in the east half of the map and two houses.
Strategy[]
- Age of Empires onwards
This scenario involves careful planning, since no Villagers and buildings are at the player's disposal. The player's troops must be protected at all costs, since they are irreplaceable. The campaign starts out with three Bowmen and four Axemen located at the western portion of the map. The enemy is set to a defensive posture, so an attack from them is very unlikely. The enemy is situated at the eastern portion of the map at the top of a cliff, giving them a slight advantage. Scouting is important, since a weak spot exists north and south of the enemies' initial position. Pursue this buffer zone and victory will be certain.
- Beta version
In the Beta Release version, the player starts with five Axemen and four Bowmen, while the enemy has also more troops, including a Scout. Note that both enemy Houses have to be destroyed to win the scenario.
History[]
Historical notes[]
| “ | Archaeological evidence suggests that warfare has been part of human life for much longer than we would like to admit. Previous theories assumed that the early nomads were more peaceful than their sedentary counterparts in later years, but mass burial Sites found across the world have made scientists review that theory. A mass burial in Jebel Sahaba, south of Egypt, for example, contains the remains of 61 adults and children. Some of the skeletons show evidence of hard blows or arrow points embedded in bones. This Site has been dated to about 13,000 years ago. The implication of evidence such as this is that prehistoric life was a struggle against other humans, not just nature or the elements. People who possessed good hunting and foraging lands had to defend them with force or risk annihilation. | ” |
| —In-game section | ||
Victory[]
| “ | Your people have repelled the raiders and are safe for now. Your successes and the threats of powerful neighbors have encouraged smaller nearby tribes to join you for safety. They offer food and their wealth in exchange for your protection. You have begun to lay the new foundations for a concept called kingship. | ” |
| —In-game section | ||
Loss[]
| “ | With one hit from a stone arrowhead, you were introduced to yet another new technology. Unfortunately you will not be able to do anything with this knowledge, even though your brain became very familiar with it. | ” |
| —In-game section | ||
Historical notes[]
| “ | Archaeological evidence suggests that warfare has been part of human life for much longer than we would like to admit. A mass burial in Nubia, south of Egypt, for example, contains the remains of 59 adults and children. Some of the skeletons show evidence of hard blows or arrow points embedded in bones. This site has been dated from between 12,000 and 4500 BC. The implication of evidence such as this is that prehistoric life was a struggle against other humans, not just nature. People who possessed good hunting and foraging lands had to defend them with force or risk annihilation. |
” |
| —In-game section | ||
Historical outcome[]
| “ | Lower Egypt successfully held off invasion and raids from the south, maintaining its autonomy for many years. Upper and Lower Egypt grew into independent kingdoms. The conflict between the two was resolved late in the fourth millennium BC. | ” |
| —In-game section | ||
Historical notes[]
| “ | The richness of the Nile made it attractive to native tribes inhabiting much less hospitable lands nearby, such as the Sinai Peninsula, the Libyan coast, and deserts to the east and west of the river. Some of the earliest evidence yet found of warfare comes from a mass grave found near the Nile, dated between 12,000 and 4,500 BC. Remains from the grave show evidence of arrow and club wounds. The Egyptians had to be ready to defend the lands they held or lose them. | ” |
| —In-game section | ||
Historical outcome[]
| “ | The Egyptians held off most invaders, due mainly to the large populations that the Nile area could support even before farming. The few migrants who infiltrated were absorbed. The Hyksos people (from the region that is now Israel) are thought to have brought with them the basic techniques of farming that eventually made Egypt one of the most populous and richest ancient cultures. | ” |
| —In-game section | ||
