Techs & Relic Economy Guide
Prioritizing building upgrades, technology trees, and passive resource generators makes sure your economy and army scale efficiently into the late game.
Blacksmith Upgrade Sequencing
Upgrades at the Blacksmith dictate unit power spikes during early Feudal and Castle Age engagements.
Archer Builds ──> Prioritize Fletching / Bodkin Arrow (Range & Attack)
Cavalry Builds ──> Prioritize Scale Barding Armor (Defensive Pierce Protection)
| Military Composition | Priority 1 Tech | Priority 2 Tech | Priority 3 Tech |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archer Line | Fletching (+1 Range/Attack) | Bodkin Arrow (+1 Range/Attack) | Padded Archer Armor |
| Cavalry Line | Scale Barding (+1/+1 Armor) | Forging (+1 Attack) | Chain Barding (+1/+2 Armor) |
| Infantry Line | Forging (+1 Attack) | Scale Mail Armor | Iron Casting (+1 Attack) |
- Archer Priority: Always research attack range first. Extra range allows archers to pick off enemy workers and out-range defensive Watch Towers.
- Cavalry Priority: Always research armor upgrades first. Added pierce armor allows Scout Cavalry and Knights to dive under enemy Town Center fire without taking heavy casualties.
University Technology Priorities
The University unlocks key architectural defenses and ballistic targeting.
Ballistics (Hit Moving Targets) ──> Chemistry (+1 Attack/Gunpowder) ──> Siege Engineers (+1 Siege Range)
| Technology | Available Age | Primary Effect | Tactical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballistics | Castle Age | Ranged units calculate lead angle for moving targets | Crucial upgrade for Crossbowmen and Watch Towers |
| Masonry / Architecture | Castle / Imperial | Increases building HP and armor stats | Essential for holding bases under siege pressure |
| Chemistry | Imperial Age | Adds +1 attack to all ranged units and unlocks gunpowder | Unlocks Hand Cannoneers and Bombard Cannons |
| Siege Engineers | Imperial Age | Adds +1 range to siege engines and +20% building damage | Allows Trebuchets and Onagers to out-range defenses |
Monastery Relic Economy
Relics scattered across the map provide a passive, infinite source of Gold that becomes vital once gold mines deplete.
Collect Relic with Monk ──> Deposit in Monastery ──> Earn +0.5 Gold/Sec (+30 Gold/Min)
- Base Generation Rate: Each garrisoned Relic generates 0.5 Gold per second (30 Gold per minute). Controlling four Relics yields 120 passive Gold per minute.
- Burgundian Relic Bonus: Burgundian Relics generate food alongside gold.
- Lithuanian Attack Bonus: Lithuanians gain +1 attack for their Knight and Leitis line per captured Relic (up to +4 attack maximum).
- Monastery Defenses: Research Devotion and Faith to increase unit resistance against enemy Monk conversions. Research Heresy so converted units die rather than joining the enemy army.
Modern Economic Drop-off Mechanics: Mule Carts
Introduced for the Georgians and Armenians, Mule Carts act as mobile resource drop-off points.
- Mobile Economy: Mule Carts replace static Lumber Camps and Mining Camps. Workers drop off Wood, Gold, and Stone directly at the cart.
- Positioning: Relocate your Mule Cart along forest lines as trees are cleared to eliminate Villager walk time completely.