This article is about the game mode in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. For other uses, see The Art of War. |
โ | Uncover the strategic wisdom of Sun Tzu and practice your Age of Empires II skills in a series of short challenges. In this challenge you will strive to earn a medal and prove your worth to your friends and enemies. | โ |
—In-game campaign description |
The Art of War is a campaign in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. It is a series of short scenarios that serve as challenges to test the player's skills in using more advanced strategies such as booming, rushing, and turtling, while also expanding on game mechanics such as unit counters and battle formations.
The name is taken from The Art of War, an ancient Chinese military treatise written by Sun Tzu during the 5th century BC which explains the various aspects of warfare and its application to military tactics and strategies. The Art of War is a very influential work for over one and a half millenia since it was written; countless military leaders and thinkers took inspiration from the text, and some of its contents are even applied to civilian fields such as business, lifestyle, and more.
Intro[]
Before you can lead an army into battle, you must first learn the nine principles of the Art of War - written by the famous warior and philosopher, Sun Tzu.
His teachings come to us from ancient books, and his infinite wisdom about warfare and military tactics still apply to this day.
I will guide you and teach you these most important lessons, Commander. Listen very well.
Scenarios[]
In each scenario, the player will obtain a medal (gold, silver, or bronze) depending on how fast they could complete the scenario (or based on the number of units they lose, in the case of the Land Battle, Naval Battle, and Battle Formations scenarios).
The player plays as various civilizations in each scenario, and the player color is always blue. 4 scenarios are immediately unlocked, while the other 5 require a prerequisite scenario to be completed. Early Economy unlocks both Fast Castle Age and Rushing the Enemy scenarios.
1. Early Economy ( Byzantines)
โ Fast Castle Age ( Celts) โ Booming ( Goths)
โ Rushing the Enemy ( Teutons) โ Defending Against A Rush ( Koreans)
2. Land Battle ( Bulgarians) โ Destroying a Castle ( Berbers)
3. Naval Battle ( Malay)
4. Battle Formations ( Italians)
Outro[]
Excellent! You have mastered every lesson that I had to teach. Remember the words of Sun Tzu and his teachings about the Art of War and you will win many battles.
Or, in the words of the wise philisopher-warrior: 'If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.'
Trivia[]
- The campaign icon displays a famous sculpture found in the Terracotta Army of a kneeling soldier. The sculpture has been identified to be that of an archer, whereas the game icon has been equipped with a spear.[1]
- Despite being based on the book by the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu, none of the scenarios feature the Chinese as a playable civilization. Sun Tzu also lived and died long before the timeframe most campaigns in Age of Empires II are set in.
- Originally, the campaign was composed of 5 scenarios, with the scenarios not connected to Early Economy being added with update 36202. The positions of the Booming and Fast Castle Age scenarios were also swapped.
- There are two achievements that can be obtained:
- "Challenge Accepted" : win any medal in any of the nine scenarios.
- "Going for the Gold" : win a gold medal in any of the nine scenarios.