AOE IV / Maps
French Pass
Mountain passes funnel armies through limited routes and encourage attention to chokepoints.
Overview
Mountain passes funnel armies through limited routes and encourage attention to chokepoints.
Terrain and layout
Two mountain ranges run across the map and shelter a central valley. Entrances through the ranges connect each starting side to the valley; occasional generations add a route through the mountains.
Resources and control
Most large Gold Veins sit in the central valley, with Sacred Sites near its entrances and Trade Posts in the corners. Players have smaller starting Gold near their Town Centers.
Player considerations
The mountain barrier makes early direct attacks less common, but the gold corridor is difficult to ignore. Scout the entrances, secure the valley before mining exposed Gold, and watch for a generation with an extra crossing.
