AOE IV / Maps
Thickets
Control the holy lake or use routes around extensive forests and cliffs to surprise opponents.
Overview
Control the holy lake or use routes around extensive forests and cliffs to surprise opponents.
Terrain and layout
Players spawn around a central lake recessed among cliffs, with broad forest patches between them. The lake has a central island and only a limited number of convenient Dock locations.
Resources and control
The central island always holds one Sacred Site and may hold a Relic; a second Sacred Site lies between opposing players. Two Trade Posts sit in opposite map corners. Deep Water and Shoreline Fish and extra Wood support water and land economies.
Player considerations
Scout routes through the forest and access to the recessed shore before choosing between naval control and a land approach. The island Site is valuable but difficult to reach through limited Dock space, while forest lanes can hide a flanking force.
