The Anniversary Edition is Age of Empires IV one year on from its October 2021 launch, adding the Ottomans and the Malians to the original eight civilisations for a roster of ten. Every civilisation ages up by building Landmarks rather than clicking a generic button, so the choice between two Landmarks per age is a real strategic fork instead of a formality. Matches run to a 200 population cap across four ages, and you win by Landmark destruction, by holding Sacred Sites, or by finishing a Wonder and surviving the countdown.
Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dry Arabia | 1v1 ranked, all civilisations | Open expansion room, contested gold and stone | French |
| 2 | Black Forest | Team games and defensive 1v1 | Safe economy, long build up before the first fight | French |
| 3 | Mountain Pass | 1v1 and 2v2 | Chokepoint control, strong defensive holds | English |
| 4 | Danube River | 1v1 and team games with naval play | Fish food income, naval map control | English |
| 5 | Lipany | 1v1 ranked | Central high ground, straightforward expansion | English |
Dry Arabia: Starting Area
The open standard map and the ranked default. Almost no natural chokepoints, so early aggression is always live and the player who scouts first usually decides where the game happens.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 1v1 ranked, all civilisations |
| Key Rewards | Open expansion room, contested gold and stone |
| Recommended Build | French |
| Key Equipment | Royal Knight |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Landmark ageing up. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Black Forest.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Black Forest: Early Game
Dense forest with narrow lanes between players, which turns the early game into a walling contest. Booming civilisations and heavy siege thrive here while cavalry raids struggle.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Team games and defensive 1v1 |
| Key Rewards | Safe economy, long build up before the first fight |
| Recommended Build | French |
| Key Equipment | Royal Knight |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Relics and Sacred Sites. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Royal Knight if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Mountain Pass.
Mountain Pass: Mid Game
High ground and narrow passes split the map into defensible pockets. Control of the passes matters more than raw army size, and siege has an outsized effect on choke fights.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 1v1 and 2v2 |
| Key Rewards | Chokepoint control, strong defensive holds |
| Recommended Build | English |
| Key Equipment | Royal Knight |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Longbowman becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Counter unit triangle for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Danube River: Late Game
A river splits the map, adding naval play and bridge crossings to a standard land game. Fishing boats supplement early food and crossings become the flashpoints.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 1v1 and team games with naval play |
| Key Rewards | Fish food income, naval map control |
| Recommended Build | English |
| Key Equipment | Longbowman |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Longbowman should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Civilisation specific economies mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Lipany.
Lipany: Endgame
An open map with a central hill and clear resource distribution, popular in tournaments because it rewards clean build orders rather than map tricks.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | 1v1 ranked |
| Key Rewards | Central high ground, straightforward expansion |
| Recommended Build | English |
| Key Equipment | Longbowman |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Malians for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Dry Arabia → Black Forest → Mountain Pass → Danube River → Lipany. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Guides
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Overview
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Best Builds
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Tier List
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Walkthrough
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Beginner's Guide
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Tips & Tricks
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Weapons Guide
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Combat Guide
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Boss Guide
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Crafting Guide
- Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition Classes & Characters
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