AOE IV / Maps
Hill and Dale
Hills and valleys create defensible terrain while leaving room for expansion.
Overview
Hills and valleys create defensible terrain while leaving room for expansion.
Terrain and layout
Teams begin on elevated plateaus divided from a central valley by cliffs and a few narrow, often wallable entrances. Team members usually share a plateau; the exact position and number of entrances vary.
Resources and control
The plateaus offer relatively safe starting resources, while the central valley contains all three Sacred Sites, the Trade Posts, and much of the remaining Gold, Stone, and food.
Player considerations
Secure an entrance before moving workers into the valley. A protected economy can grow behind the cliffs, but delaying the contest for valley resources may leave the opponent with a stronger late-game position.
