GUIDE · BATTLE STRATEGY
Otto loyalty-first Italian defense
Otto’s loyalty system makes early scouting and stable defenses more valuable than a broad opening attack. Secure Italy through its vassal route, protect the Relics, and contain the Magyars before expanding.
Overview
Otto’s loyalty system makes early scouting and stable defenses more valuable than a broad opening attack. Secure Italy through its vassal route, protect the Relics, and contain the Magyars before expanding.
Plan and execution
Send the scout to the southeastern edge immediately to inherit Italy while its loyalty remains high. Assign Villagers to food, wood, gold, and stone, and place two Castles near the northern Houses and Market to protect the base from Magyar raids. Garrison the Italian Relics where safe, then produce Paladins once the economy and defenses are stable. Check vassal loyalty and use diplomacy or local force to prevent a sudden shift in allegiance.
Risks and adaptation
Magyar pressure is the most urgent early threat, and an exposed economy can fall before the Paladins are ready. Avoid neglecting the second base while fortifying Italy, and do not assume a vassal will remain loyal without monitoring the scenario’s loyalty conditions.
- Focus
- Vassal inheritance and Magyar containment
- Signature / category
- Plan and execution
- Release / context
- Age of Empires II system
- Region
- Battle strategy
- Classification
- Battle strategies