GUIDE · BATTLE STRATEGY
Duel of the Dukes base-pick counter plan
Duel of the Dukes is chaotic and the first base choice determines what your rival receives. Choose a base that your opening force can exploit, then build toward Arbalesters, Winged Hussars, and a supported siege line.
Overview
Duel of the Dukes is chaotic and the first base choice determines what your rival receives. Choose a base that your opening force can exploit, then build toward Arbalesters, Winged Hussars, and a supported siege line.
Plan and execution
Use the flare to coordinate the base split and avoid selecting the nearby cavalry base whose Castle the starting army can take quickly. Secure the captured territory, then prioritize Arbalester and Winged Hussar upgrades to cover ranged damage and mobility. Add Pikemen to protect against cavalry and choose Bombard Cannons or Trebuchets for siege. Keep production on separate fronts so Vytautas cannot defeat one unsupported base at a time.
Risks and adaptation
The player and Vytautas receive complementary base types, so a poor choice can give the rival an easier counter. Pikemen lack the final Halberdier upgrade, so support them with ranged units and do not rely on them alone against cavalry.
- Focus
- Complementary unit upgrades and siege
- Signature / category
- Plan and execution
- Release / context
- Age of Empires II system
- Region
- Battle strategy
- Classification
- Battle strategies