Patagonia
Patagonia is an original Age of Empires III map with no Native settlements. It has two Trade Routes, each with three Trading Post sites, plentiful fish and whales on the eastern side, and coastal trees and animals. A central lake may appear on the mid-western side but is absent in free-for-all games.
Map character
Scout the northern and southern routes, coast, cliffs and central lake before choosing an expansion plan. With no Native settlements, a Native-alliance Trading Post cannot be used here. The eastern fish and whales can support water economies, while the shores offer Wood and wildlife. Pirate and Comanchero Outlaws may appear; check the Treasure positions before sending workers or ships across exposed ground.
What to scout
Choose between securing a Trade Route, developing the eastern water economy or controlling resource clusters near the shore. The cliffs can support defensive positions, but the lake changes movement and can restrict routes on its western side. In free-for-all games, reassess because the lake is absent; do not assume the team-map geography or the same crossing plan.
Six route sites and an eastern water economy
Patagonia’s two routes provide six Trading Post locations, while the eastern side contains fish and whales that can reward a Dock and protected fishing fleet. These objectives compete for resources and military attention. The central lake, when present, can constrain western movement and create a flank route; its absence in free-for-all games changes that calculation. Because the map has no Native settlements, select a deck and opening that do not depend on an alliance post. Use the coastline for Wood and wildlife while watching for raids against exposed gatherers.