The Ultimate AOK Guide
Last Updated September 2nd, 2003
Originally posted by dragons89, updated by Tonto_Simfish Tip: To use this guide well, do not plan to scroll through the entire thing to look for something. Only focus on what you need. You can search this page for a word you want(for example, 'flush') by pressing ctrl+f. On the window that appears, type in the word(type in 'flush'). This will then search the entire page for that word.You should also note that you will need to log onto a forum account to view many of these posts, which are in the archived strategy forums. If you haven't already registered for an account, then please register: It's easy and free: and HeavenGames, the host of this website, will NOT spam you.Newbie GuidesIF YOU'RE NEW TO THE FORUM: Read this and Ask Questions Here!-This is a pretty good post, but it hasn't been updated recently. It originally was two posts, which have been merged, to form a guide for newbies.Patriarch Real's Thoughtful Guide to AOK- It's certainly a long guide, and was designed for the original Age of Kings, but it's still certainly worth a read! It's a collection of common questions, and good answers to them.Newbie Guide to AOK-A very good guide for newbies by Lord_Captn_Kidd. Has build orders for a lot of strategies, recorded games, and more!gOf's Beginner Guide
-Become an intermediate with this guide! I think it's a pretty good guide.OEK's Fast Castle Guide-One Eyed King's fast castle guide. I used this myslef, and I admit it's pretty good.Micromanagement and Hotkeys- The Road to Enlightenment-A nice guide on micromanaging. I think it will benefit inters as well as newbies, so I put an additional link to it in the tips and helpful information part.On The Road to Expert-Darq_darkjihad explains many stuff new people should know.Recommended Civs for a New Player-Doug Thompson's guide to what civilizations new players should choose.
How to find the counter to something-Alloran's guide on finding the right counter to units. No, it's not one of those "pikes counter cavalry" posts. It tells you what units to build depending on your situation.Guide to Early Town Layout-Do's and don'ts to building your town in the early ages. I remember I used this myself in my newbie times.Getting Through the Dark Ages-A relatively short guide for new players in the dark age by Angel Draco.Feudal to Castle Advancement-What should new players do in the feudal age and castle age? Find out here with Jam4theSonTips from Gamers:Slugar-Slugar's tips for newer players to AOK. Very niceTips from Gamers: Chichiri-More very helpful tips. How Many TC's Should you get in Castle-Chess's nice guide on how many TCs you should get in castle age.StrategiesFlushDescription:
One of the most popular strategies on the zone, this strategy involves attacking in Feudal Age with archers, skirmishers, spearmen, and villagers.
Main Objective:Killing enemy villagers to slow down their economy.
Objectives:
Building Archery Ranges, Barracks, Stables, or whatever building you need near the enemy.
Attacking their wood source(reason: this stops the enemy from getting buildings up, and usually has a lot of villagers, and has a distance away from the TC)
Links
A Fast Feudal Rush
-The original Flush by gutter_rat. Build order for chinese.
The Mayan Flush-Flushing with mayans. Basic pronciples, but suited for the Mayan civilization.
Mongol Power Flush-A flush for Mongols, and allowing you with enough resources to build and produce archers non-stop at 3 archery ranges.
Tips for Flushing-Many tips about flushing from a lot of people.
The Mayan Flush!-swp's mayan flush guide. Basically the same as the one in MFO, but edited a bit, so a complete build-order.
Feudal Rushing Q&A-The name says it all...a flush FAQ!
My Guide to Archer Flushing-A flush guide by chichiri. I never tried a 16 vill flush, but I suppose it might work.
The Flush - Revisited - By Stevay/swp. An overview of many of the principles of the FLUSH; it covers a basic build order that can be used by many civilizations, and is certainly a must-read thread for people new to the flush.
Skirm Flush-A skirmisher flush, not the usual archer flush, for the Chinese.Goth M@A Rush-A man at arms rush for the Goths. Check the replies for some good stuff
The Gothic Man at Arms rush-A great guide to m@a rushing. Also for the Goths.
M@A Rush-Some great replies about m@a rushing. Check it out. Go on...I dare you to
GrushDescription:
Also known as a GUSH, this strategy involves attacking in feudal age on water maps with galleys, and destroying enemy docks, fishing ships, and other galleys. This will allow you to take control of the seas.
Links
Crappy Grushing-Do not look at the title and say 'oh, this must be a real bad way to grush'. This is one of the best guide on grushing I've seen. Must look for grush tips, build orders, and more.
Galley Rushing-This is absloutely one of the best grushing guides out there. If I had a rating system from 1-5, this would get a 5.
Take to the Water! The Gush.... Feudal Galley Rush on how to get there early and hard-This is the original grush article. Very nice, and long. This is another must-look guide.
Anyone here wanna learn how to GUSH ?-This scenario teaches you how to gush! A very good scenario. DrushDescription:
Basically walling up the enemy resources while your militias keep them busy. It's very hard in my opinion, but the price it pays if it succeeds is a lot. The enemy will have to go farming early, and create more villagers becuase some died.
Links
Dark Age Rush-Many people give their opinions on the drush here.
I lost to a dark age militia attack-An example of a drush's effects.
My aztec drush-Great Aztec drushing. Although I never tried drushing, the replies there seem to be positive enough.
DRUSH-Excellent drush guide, if not the best. It's got recorded games, and in depth guide, and more. This is a must check out.KLEWDescription:
KLEW stands for Kidd's Lightning Eagle Warrior. It's by Mike Kidd, aka Lord_Captn_Kidd, and it's it's basically arriving in castle before 14:00 with Mayans and building EW and terrorizing the enemy while you boom at home base.
Links:
Counter for the KLEW.-M@A counter the KLEW. Just a short thing that talks how M@A have +4 attack vs. EW
KLEW-The official KLEW site. It's where Kidd first announced the KLEW. Build orders, recorded games, tips, hints, etc.
Mayan Power Klew-ThE_WaRLorD_89's guide to another version of the KLEW. A little later than the original, but stronger.
The Aztec KLEW-KLEW is for Mayans, right? This one is for Aztecs. Check it out!
Flush vs. Klew-Flush or do the KLEW? Flushes had more votesCRUSHDescription: CRUSH stands for castle rush. " Castle Age Rush. Castle before the opponent and attacking immediately. Usually, military buildings are constructed in a forward base from which to launch continuous attacks."-Quote from aokH abbreviation FAQ.
Links
Mass Knight Rush-revisited-Chichiri's guide to building 20 knights in just 20 minutes. This was done with the Huns. Includes a build order and recorded game.
The Douche and DouchlingDescription: Douche is an old strategy which means deleting your starting TC...to build a new one near the enemy!
Links
THE DOUCHE - The Dark Age Rush-A guide to the douche. Only explains the basic points, though.
The Douche Database-Trouble_4_u's guide to the douche...long!
The Douchling-A combination of the douche and a sling.
Saracen Market Douche-The name says it all...a douche for the Saracens!
The Stone Douche-You douche then mine stone. Check if you're wanting to learn how to do the douche.MUSH/SMUSHDescription:
Going for a fast castle and then "attacking" with monks.
Links
Flammifer's Japanese Monk Rush-A very nice post that includes a build order and recorded games.Other StrategiesMass Eagle-Rush-A eagle warrior rush with the Aztecs. 25 eagle warriors with forging and scale mail armor in 20 minutes. Includes uild order and a recorded game.100 Champs in 40 Minutes-A long and in-depth, not to mention excellent guide to making 40 champions in 40 minutes. Unfortunately, pre-patchLate Castle Attack Help-Excellent replies on late castle attacking. Tips and Helpful informationThe Unholy Five-A great post by ES_Sandyman himself. He talks about the 5 strongest units in AOK:TC. The Aztec EW, the mayan EW, the cataphratcs, the mamaelukes and samurais are these units.Your first stop: Links to the best strategy related resources-Another collection of strategy posts like this one. Excellent, and it's from Paoe.
Tips from experts on how to improve your game-Some very nice tips from experts on improving your game. Also, the replies are great as well.Recommended strategy articles-TheShadowDawn's links, very much like mine...I won't say which is better(unlike he did), but leave it up to you to judge.Recommended Strategy Posts-A post collection by wageoghe at MFO. Very nicely written.Little Known Strategies of the Greats-Winston's tips and strategies. Read it...it's nowhere else! After all, it's 'little known'Sending villagers back to work easier-This isn't something new, but most people do not care to do this. It saves some timeA collection of Strategies-Micr0boy's strategy collection. Very good, and long.Post Collections Summary-This is very much like the one you're reading, but a short version.Resource Management-Recource managing, like the name suggests.Topic: Micromanagement and Hotkeys- The Road to Enlightenment-A nice guide on micromanaging. I think it will benefit newbies as well as inters, so I put an additional link to it in the newbie guides part.Saracen Market Tricks-Ways to turn the Saracens into a decent economy civ.Swp's Guide to House Starts - by Swp. A comprehensive guide on how you should build your first houses, which can be the difference between getting a good start or getting a bad start.Tests/StatsHow to counter the champ flood (careful : very long and annoying stuff inside)-Great tests inside about how arbalests fare against champs. Some very surprising results.A FINAL, COMPLETE AND PLAIN-ENGLISH GUIDE TO USING THE SARACEN MARKET BONUS IN THE FEUDAL AGE-An excellent guide on using the Saracen market. Tests Summary-By Gaparr64, possibly the tester, it's a long list of his test work!The first issue of Some Things to Think About-Sir Marf's really excellent tests.The Philosophy of Testing-The Philosophy of Testing! An article about testing, again done by gaparr!Unit Tables-Information on each unit.Civ Table-A table that lets you see weather this civ gets that technology or not.Attack Bonuses-A table that shows attack bonuses. Elevation Effects-You know archers have an advantage on a higher elevation...but how much? Find out here, in this test.Gathering Rates-Resources...how fast do villagers gather them? Measured in villager seconds(VS)The Real Cost of Resources-Find out which resource is worth more than others.Benefit of Multiple Builders-The name says it all; Buildings go up faster when multiple villagers work. But by how much?How Garrisoning Really Works-Kidd's Garrisoning Guide. How much attack each unit adds, and etc.How Monks Really work-Monk information. If you're a civ that relys on monks(Aztecs) and/or a person that uses monks a lot, be sure to check it out!Rates of Fire-Rate of Fire(ROF). Samurais attack fast...by how much? Chu Ko Nus? Find it all out here! Detailed analysis.Post Imperial Unit Testing-Some post-imperial tests. Pretty good, but I prefer Gaparr's.Trade Carts-Excellent tests about the time and gold a trade cart brings.done by chess. Very long. Entertainment Strategy Programming Newsletter
ESPN: Issue I-ESPN, or Entertainment Strategy Programming Newsletter, is a newsletter, mostly debates, started by thawky. This one has a Mayan guide and an Aztec KLEW guide.ESPN: Issue II-Just a few links to good stuff.ESPN: Issue III-Again, a few links. Winston's little known strategies of the greats #38, Champion thread, etc.ESPN: Issue IV-3 more links...to goodies.An ESPN Debate-------Eagle Warrior Rush vs. Light Cavalry Rush-A debate weather a EW rush or LC rush is better. Closed. but starts in the next one.
An ESPN Debate-------EW Rush vs. LC Rush-Continuation from the above topic.
The ESPN Summary: LC and EW Rushes-The conclusion from above topics.An ESPN Debate-------Mayans vs. Goths-Name says it all...another ESPN debate!An ESPN Debate-------Mangudai vs. Plumed Archer-Mangudai or Plumed archer? Which is better? Another ESPN debate.-An ESPN Debate: The FLUSH-Latest ESPN debate...on the popular flush strategy!Other Debates:Mangudai versus Conquistadors - I know this was a ripoff from thawky's ESPN debates, but nevertheless, it still contained some great debating between the mangudai and conquistador sides. The vast amount of replies also caused a rising of ESPN debate threads.Civilization Post Collections - For a summary on post collections for most of the civilizations, visit the Post Collections Summary thread.AztecsThe Aztecs - a look at the meso-civ-A great guide by chichiri. You must read this. Yet, he thinks so much differently now, he doesn't think trushing is lame anymore.
Aztec Post Collection-Avon's post collection on Aztecs...I made my own below so I can keep updating.
Huitzilopochtli: The Aztec Thread-An Aztec post collection by Doug Thompson. I included some of the links from his posts to here.
The Jaguar Warrior-An excellent guide/tests/stats on the jaguar warrior by chichiri. In conclusion, jags do well vs all infantry, still beats archers because of speed and attack. But they lose to ca, cavalry and gunpowders.
The Aztecs(By Cherub Socrateius)-This would've been a very very excellent guide, but it has one weakness. It's pre-patched, and since the Aztecs get an excellent bonus in the patch(free loom), this guide lacks an important Aztec bonus. Yet, it is still a great guide.
RagnarokCoatl's Guide on The Aztecs-A nice Aztec guide, but not excellent.
Civilisations of the Ages: The Aztecs-Very nicely written. It has the bonuses and through the ages, and also a good unit combo.
Civilization examination #1:The aztecs-Uhhh...pretty short, weird capitilizations...but an ok guide.
Joebovey's Guide to the Aztecs-A specific strategy to the Aztecs rather than a guide...but nice anyway.
Civilization Attributes: The Aztecs-Another good Aztec guide. Pretty long
The impact of the Aztec carry bonus on farming
BritonsBritish Post Collection-Avon's British post collection. Like the Aztecs' I have made my own down here so I could keep updating.
Civilisations of the ages: the Britons-An excellent guide on the Britons. A must read.
The Britons-Another excellent guide on the Britons. Made by chichiri.
Fast-Castle for Britons-A fast castle build order for the Britons. Pre-patch, but that doesn't really matter.
Civilization Attributes #2: The Britons-Smokin's British guide. Very nice
Briton strategies guide-Okay, ckeck it out if you want to...not a must.ByzantinesThe Byzantines-Pretty nice guide, but I wonder why it only got 1 reply.
The Legionary's Guide to the Byzantines-Very in-depth...It is just...superb. 1 small problem....it's too good and long!
GameSpot-The Byzantines-Gamespot's Byzantine guide. Has history, strategies and stuff
Civilization Attributes #3: The Byzantines-Another of SmokiN's guide. Another of his good work.
Now its my turn #6; Brad's almost comlete civ guide; Byzantine-Good, but unfortunately, not for the expansion.CeltsYour thoughts: The Celts-Check it's replies. Some of them are really worth looking at.
Civilization Attributes #4: The Celts-Good guide on the Celts...one of the few.
Civilisations of the ages: The Celts-Ok, it's a civilisations of the ages, so it must be good, and it is.
SERUSH-Siege Engine Rush. Not only for the Celts, but I'm sure you'll agree that siege engines are the Celts' really strong point.
Celtic Siege Rush-This one is for Celts, unlike the one above. Recorded games in reply, and it's nice. I haven't tried it as I'm not a fan of celts.
The Woad Raider-The best(and only guide I've seen so far) guide on the woad raider. Has excelltn strengths and weaknesses.