Yellow River
Yellow River can generate as either a dry-season or flood-season map, and that seasonal layout changes routes, resources and naval value. Both versions place key objectives around a central river and Trade Routes, so inspect the generated map before choosing an opening.
Map character
In the dry layout, the river separates two main banks and islands hold Native settlements, Trade Routes and a resource-rich central staging point. In the flood layout, that center becomes water with Shipment Drop Points; Fishing Boats can gather Carp and Catfish. Shaolin and Zen settlements appear in the map set. Check which season spawned before investing in ships or marching toward the center.
What to scout
Use a land-focused expansion to contest the central island in the dry season. In flood season, account for the new water lane, fishing and drop points, and protect the shoreline as well as route sites. The map’s two versions reward different production and crossing plans, so avoid following a build order written for the other layout.
Dry and flood season play
Yellow River can generate in either a dry-season or flood-season layout, including when used through the Scenario Editor. In the dry version, two main banks are divided by a central river. Islands at the ends of the river carry Native Settlements and Trade Routes, while a central island provides additional resources, Treasure and a defensible staging point. Wildlife is plentiful and includes 400-Food Ibex, Marco Polo Sheep and Serow; Berry Bushes contain 1,000 Food, and Silver Mines contain 2,000 Coin. In the flood version, the central island is replaced by water with Shipment Drop Points. Carp and Catfish, each worth 500 Food, become available along the banks for Fishing Boats, making naval control and water shipments more relevant. Both variants have Trade Routes on opposite sides and multiple Native sites; the listed settlements are Shaolin and Zen, while the Wokou Horseman and Wokou Monk are the Outlaws. Scout which season spawned before choosing an opening: the dry map encourages land expansion toward the central island, while flood-season plans should account for docks, ships and protected access to the route. The layout makes the center a contested objective, not merely a shortcut.