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THE ENCYCLOPEDIA

Of Turncoats and Traitors

CAMPAIGNS & SCENARIOS · AGE OF EMPIRES II ONLY

CAMPAIGN · THE MOUNTAIN ROYALS

Of Turncoats and Traitors

The final mission opens with a desperate defense of Tarsos. Hold the Castle and protect Thoros until a route to the river opens, then evacuate and establish a new base with one of his brothers. From there, rebuild the army and confront the Byzantines, Reynald, and the Seljuks.

Of Turncoats and Traitors Age of Empires II campaign artwork
Of Turncoats and Traitors Age of Empires II campaign artwork

Overview

The final mission opens with a desperate defense of Tarsos. Hold the Castle and protect Thoros until a route to the river opens, then evacuate and establish a new base with one of his brothers. From there, rebuild the army and confront the Byzantines, Reynald, and the Seljuks.

Player approach

Of Turncoats and Traitors changes its demands when the first defense ends. Protecting Thoros and the Castle matters during the opening phase, while the temporary economy should be spent on upgrades that improve the force carried into the next stage.

Step-by-step plan

During the first defense, keep melee troops near the Castle to intercept siege and use archers to fire through safe wall positions. Move lumberjacks away from exposed crossing approaches and build defensive structures where they delay attackers without drawing the whole force into open combat. Research the available infantry and Composite Bowman upgrades before the phase timer expires; reserve Warrior Priests to recover the exposed Relic. Once the transition begins, regroup around the units and technologies that carry forward, then scout the new objective before advancing.

Risks and adjustments

Resources and structures from the first phase do not all survive the transition, so avoid spending the countdown on an ambitious boom. Do not send the Relic carrier or Thoros into the breach, and keep a reserve ready for enemy siege rather than chasing every raiding group.

Focused strategy page

For a dedicated version of this plan, open Of Turncoats and Traitors two-phase defense.

Mission overview

The final mission opens with a desperate defense of Tarsos. Hold the Castle and protect Thoros until a route to the river opens, then evacuate and establish a new base with one of his brothers. From there, rebuild the army and confront the Byzantines, Reynald, and the Seljuks.

Objectives

  1. Defend Thoros and the Castle at Tarsos during the opening siege.
  2. When the defense fails, get Thoros to the waiting ship and retreat to either Stephan or Mleh.
  3. Build a new force and defeat the Byzantine army, Reynald, and the Seljuks.
  4. Optional: keep all Tarsos Villagers alive during the evacuation.
Focus
Scenario · Thoros II
Signature / category
Story & scenarios
Release / context
The Mountain Royals
Classification
Scenarios
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