The Chosen One is the first scenario of the Sargon of Akkad campaign in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Return of Rome.
Intro[]
The ways of the gods are incomprehensible. Far more predictable is the path walked by a man who considers himself a god. So too it was for Sargon, the greatest conqueror Mesopotamia has ever known.
Like the legendary shepherd that founded our great city, Sargon seemed to have descended from heaven a grown man, crafted by the gods to rule the world. But while his true origins remain a mystery, his earthly story began here, in Kish, a place so beautiful that even the lustrous words of the poets cannot do it justice.
Back when I, Ushar, was still a man of youthful strength, Kish was ruled by Ur-Zababa. If the gods had molded Sargon from clouds and ether, Ur-Zababa was made from common clay. Nothing about him was exceptional, save for his fondness for fine food, extravagant clothes, and luxurious wine.
Ur-Zababa had appointed Sargon as his cupbearer, and the shy, unassuming adolescent served him wine and kept him company in many a lonely hour. Yet, unbeknownst to the king, Sargon was plagued by a strange, recurring dream.
Ishtar, the goddess of war, appeared to Sargon in his sleep and promised him extraordinary things. One day, she said, he would be king not only of Kish, but of all the land between the Euphrates and the Tigris.
Not realizing the weight of his words, Sargon told his master of the dream - and the king turned pale. Had the boy who served him every day truly been chosen by the goddess of war?
Ur-Zababa could not allow this prophecy to come true. He banished Sargon to the desert and in doing so, he convinced Sargon that the goddess had spoken truly.
Yet, banishment was not enough for the frightened king. He soon sent Kish's most vigorous warriors to ambush his former confidant among the dunes. I was one of those men. As a smith, I was the strongest, and when Ur-Zababa ordered me to swap my hammer for a sword, I accepted... but not without hesitation.
By now, the tale of the banished servant and his dreams had spread far beyond the royal palace. Many who suffered under Ur-Zababa's rule saw Sargon as a savior.
When I finally caught up with him at a remote well, he was resting in the shade. I left my sword in its scabbard and faced a man who showed no fear. In his mind, he was no longer a simple servant. He was, indeed, Ishtar's chosen one.
Scenario instructions[]
Starting conditions[]
- Starting Age:
Tool Age - Starting resources: 500 food, 500 wood, 450 gold, 250 stone (if opting for the left base), or 650 food, 650 wood, 600 gold, 250 stone (if opting for the base on the right)
- Population limit: 75
Objectives[]
Main objectives[]
- Sargon and Ushar must survive.
- Make Sargon the new ruler of Kish by killing Ur-Zababa.
Secondary objectives[]
- Destroy the Temple in Sippar and build your own over its ruins to make the city submit to you.
- Destroy the Temple in Borsippa and build your own over its ruins to make the city submit to you.
Hints[]
- Sargon is restricted to the Bronze Age and a population limit of 75. You do not have the means to build Docks yet.
- Sumerian Villagers' high hit points make them more resistant to wild animals and early enemy rushes. Their fertile farms also yield more food than those of other civilizations.
- Priesthoods loyal to Ur-Zababa lead the city-states of Sippar and Borsippa. Destroying their Temples and building your own where they once stood will convince the cities to join your cause instead.
- Do not hesitate to use Sargon in battle once you have obtained a base. Should he be wounded, he will retreat to your Temple and return to the fight after he has recovered.
Scouts[]
- After being banished from Kish, Sargon (1, Blue) has reached a spring where he can quench his thirst after days of wandering. Another wanderer has arrived - is he a friend or an enemy?
- Ur-Zababa is not satisfied with Sargon's exile. Some of the king's infantry and archers (3, Orange) are roaming the area, probably tasked with assassinating Sargon.
- Ur-Zababa himself (2, Red) dwells in his capital of Kish, guarded by a strong force of Priests and Chariots.
- To overthrow Ur-Zababa, Sargon must storm Kish (4, Yellow), which is defended by infantry, archers, and catapults.
- Sippar (6, Green) and Borsippa (7, Purple) are cities ruled by priests loyal to Ur-Zababa. Sippar's army consists of Archers and Catapults, while Borsippa primarily uses Short Swordsmen and Axemen.
Players[]
Player[]
- Player ( Sumerians): Sargon starts alone in the south by an oasis and in the Tool Age. After immediately being joined by Ushar and fighting off the remaining assassins, he can take control of one of the two allied Sumerian villages, and eventually advance to the Bronze Age. The player is unable to build Docks in this scenario.
Allies[]
- Allied Villages ( Sumerians): Two towns located to the east and west of Sargon's starting location. One will come under Sargon's control upon being visited while the other will remain as an ally to trade with. They aren't typically targeted by the enemy players, but any hostile units entering their territory will be attacked by a small group of Tool Age Bowmen (west village) or Axemen (east village).
Enemies → Potential Allies[]
- Sippar ( Sumerians): The fairly large but sparsely fortified city in the north east. They are initially an enemy who attacks with Bowmen and Stone Throwers. While at first allied to Ur-Zababa, they can join Sargon and instead become hostile to Ur-Zababa if their temple is destroyed and a new one is built in its place by Sargon's forces. After becoming an ally they send tribute of 300 food every 275 in-game seconds.
- Borsippa ( Sumerians): The compact, fortified but ungated city in the north west which is initially hostile, similar to Sippar. They use Short Swordsmen and Axemen in their attacks. Same as Sippar, they are allies of Ur-Zababa that will switch sides should their temple be destroyed and replaced. After becoming an ally they send tribute of 200 food every 275 in-game seconds.
Enemies[]
- Ur-Zababa ( Sumerians): Ur-Zababa sits on a powerful regenerating Scythe Chariot and controls an advanced army within the city, comprising 4 Catapults and 4 Priests in the south, and Chariots and Chariot Archers throughout, all with Bronze Age upgrades. He also controls less advanced patrols of Axemen, Bowmen and Scouts dotted around the map, all without upgrades, as well as guarding the three outlying mines in the corners of the map supplying Kish with gold.
- Assassins ( Sumerians): Several assassins sent to kill Sargon. Ushar is also initially among them, but quickly switches sides. They are easily dealt with by Sargon and Ushar, eliminating them early on.
- Kish ( Sumerians): The massively fortified city in the middle and north of the map ruled by Ur-Zababa. It has entrances to the north and south, and will build military units to protect itself and attack periodically, including Bowmen, Short Swordsmen, Stone Throwers and Hoplites. The southern entrance is blocked by Fortified Gates and Guard Towers as well as a swarm of Ur-Zababa's best troops. But the northern entrances, leading to the city's economic region in the north corner of the map, are more vulnerable, with Medium Gates to the east and no gates at all to the west, Watch Towers and few troops.
Strategy[]
When deciding to choose one of the starting villages, keep in mind that the left base is near with no danger on the path to it, but provides marginally fewer resources and is more exposed. The base on the right is further away with several enemy patrols on the way, but provides more resources and is more spread out with a far more defensible starting economy.
Once a base is chosen, the other base can no longer be obtained by the player, but they remain as passive allies and trade partners.
As the enemy attacks with Bowmen and Stone Throwers, the player can utilize mounted units or Stone Throwers to counter them. It's advisable not to over-extend and approach the city of Kish from the south, as this is guarded by numerous towers and powerful Iron Age units, enough to withstand a fully committed siege. Also, take care to scout out locations before sending Villagers, as Ur-Zababa has troops scattered around the desert waiting to ambush Sargon's people. Curiously, Ur-Zababa's troops have the Age of Empires II technology Heresy, so any successful Priest conversions will kill them instead. Other players can be converted as usual.
In the scenario's early phase, the player will be subjected to raids from three different enemies, as well as mopping up the pockets of troops that Ur-Zababa has dotted around the map. To turn the tide, the priority is to switch Sippar and Borsippa from enemies to allies as quickly as possible: not only will they stop attacking, but they'll pressure Kish until they pose Sargon little threat.
Rather than getting drawn into a lengthy and destructive siege to win these allies, it's advisable to use speed tactics. Build a large force of Chariots and Camel Riders (10+ for Hard difficulty), research Toolworking and Metalworking to improve their melee damage, Nobility to improve their durability, and The Wheel to improve Villager speed. Bring Villagers to accompany the military (6 should be enough). Now, send the entire force, with the cavalry either slightly in front or surrounding the Villagers, to the Temple of the enemy that will be converted. (Note, it's effective to send the force to the edge of the map first, where they can sneak around the bulk of the enemy's military, then move inwards when they're parallel to the Temple. For Sippar, this route will also sideskirt their Watch/Sentry Towers, but Borsippa's can't really be avoided.) Don't get distracted fighting military units or towers, just focus on the Temple, the cavalry force should be able to destroy it before the enemy military can fully respond. Meanwhile, have the Villagers build a new Temple next to it. Within seconds of both objectives being met, the enemy will suddenly be an ally and turn their forces against Sargon's enemies. Now repeat this process for the enemy on the other side of the map.
With both Borsippa and Sippar fighting for Sargon, Kish will be in trouble. Its economy in the north corner of the map will now be an easy target, with Kish's military tied up fighting its new enemies. Now all the player has to do is send troops up the eastern or western flank, destroy the towers guarding the north, and send in raids to wipe out the Villagers, Town Center and Dock. Kish will soon be economically bankrupt, and any units marching into the city from the north will have an easy path straight to Ur-Zababa's command chariot.
Outro[]
As we entered the royal palace in Kish, I swelled with joy and pride. Sargon had triumphed, and it seemed that this man blessed by Ishtar was truly invincible.
Yet, in my quiet moments, I wondered if it would ever have come to this if Ur-Zababa had not expelled Sargon. Had we fulfilled a prophecy - or had a simple dream become prophecy only after the fearful king sealed his own fate?
Dreams and oracles, visions and prophecies... it seems that these mysterious forces can be as dangerous to those who believe in them as they are to those who ignore them...
Gallery[]
