Valdy showcases an intense macro game against Corvinus in his latest episode of 'Top Of The Ladder'. He dives into strategic decisions and unit compositions, highlighting the strengths of the English civilization in a high-stakes matchup. If you're looking to improve your macro skills, this game is packed with valuable insights!

Beastyqt explores an unconventional Byzantine healer build in his latest Troll Builds episode. He showcases how this strategy can surprise opponents and potentially turn the tide in battles, emphasizing the unique strengths of the Byzantine civilization. If you're looking to shake up your gameplay, this build might just be the ticket!

SwaggyProfessor shares an inspiring journey of mastering the Tughlaq civilization, initially deemed the worst in his own tier list. After struggling at first, he climbed from 1390 to 1626 elo by practicing and enjoying the civ, proving that personal preference and dedication matter more than tier lists. His message encourages players to embrace any civilization they enjoy, regardless of popular opinion.

Dylan_1524 shares a frustrating experience with the auto task assigner on console, which leads to villagers being lost when garrisoning during raids. He seeks advice on how to prevent other villagers from automatically moving to the resource, as disabling the menu feels excessive. This discussion highlights a common issue for console players managing their economy under pressure.

Respectthejeff shares insights on the quickest strategies for dropping a wonder in Age of Empires IV. He discusses the best civilizations to use, optimal build orders, and shares impressive timings, sparking a lively discussion among players about their own records and strategies.

Its_Me_Kon shares an interesting suggestion for Age of Empires IV, advocating for a 'Select Random Civilization' feature similar to those in Age of Mythology and Age of Empires II. This would allow players to choose preferred civilizations for random selection, enhancing the gameplay experience by personalizing the randomization process. The proposal includes options for both selective and full randomization, aiming to make matches more enjoyable.

Hyeronymus06 shares insights on the overwhelming power of Outposts of the Day (OOTD) archers in the late game, especially when fully upgraded with range and fire arrows. They argue that these archers can easily dominate even the strongest units like imperial knights and artillery, raising questions about balance in the game.

AnMagicalCow dives into the unique strategies of the Kanabo, a lesser-known unit in Age of Empires IV. They explore its strengths and weaknesses, particularly in the context of different civilizations and how it can be effectively utilized in various matchups. This discussion is a great resource for players looking to expand their tactical repertoire.

MockHamill shares a thoughtful approach to selecting civilizations for his rotation in Age of Empires IV. He eliminates civs like French and Chinese based on personal playstyle preferences, focusing instead on those that provide a reliable food economy and multiple viable strategies, ensuring a balance between effort and payoff.

Confident_Gap819 highlights a concerning incident where a player, known for resource hacking and map hacks, continues to compete without facing a ban. Despite being called out by pro players like Demu during matches, this French player remains active, raising questions about the effectiveness of current anti-cheat measures in Age of Empires IV.

Urejt dives into the nuances of the economy score in Age of Empires IV, highlighting a significant discrepancy between resources spent and gathered. They point out how Valdy's resources spent are three times that of Cornvirus, sparking a discussion about what truly influences the economy score and its implications for gameplay.

ArtoriusCastus14 shares some intriguing balance ideas for the Knights Templar, suggesting enhancements for the Templar Headquarters to make it feel more like a fortified structure. They propose increasing its defensive capabilities and enhancing interactions with Desert Citadels, as well as a cosmetic change for the Chevalier Confrère to feature kite shields, reflecting historical accuracy. It’s a thoughtful discussion that could spark further community feedback.

Wooden_Slats raises an interesting question about player improvement in Age of Empires IV, particularly from the perspective of someone stuck in Platinum ranks for a while. The discussion dives into whether the average player is consistently getting better and what factors might influence individual progress, making it a thought-provoking read for anyone reflecting on their own growth in the game.

ReplacementUnited740 raises an interesting point about the top civilizations for achieving a strong economy in the first 10 minutes without resorting to greedy strategies like 2TCs. They highlight the strengths of the Sangoku, HRE, Chinese, and Malians, but note the absence of a formal ranking for this specific economic approach. It's a thought-provoking discussion for players looking to optimize their early game.

Magma_Dragoooon shares their struggles as a new player focusing on the Ottomans, particularly facing overwhelming feudal age rushes. They seek advice on improving their gameplay and understanding how opponents can build large armies so quickly. This discussion is a great opportunity for experienced players to share strategies and tips for newcomers.

Confident_Gap819 shares their frustrating experience facing a Sushi player using Zhuge Nu in a close map matchup like Gorge or Cliffside. They found that their military wing strategy fell short against the aggressive feudal all-in, raising questions about effective counterplays for Abba players in similar situations.

Confident_Gap819 dives into the Abbasid versus Malian matchup, questioning why the Abbasid have a 58% win rate despite struggling in their own experience. They reference Beastyqt's analysis, which suggests the matchup favors the Abbasid, yet the author feels overwhelmed by the Malians' stronger economy and army. This discussion highlights the nuances of the matchup and invites insights from the community.

mrmikemtl shares exciting news about the upcoming SMF Conqueror Cup 1, set to take place in May. This tournament welcomes players of all skill levels, making it a great opportunity for both newcomers and seasoned veterans in the Age of Empires IV community to showcase their skills.

MNPhantom sparks an interesting discussion about the best defensive civilizations for 1v1 matches, focusing on strategies that prioritize a strong defensive playstyle. Players weigh in on options like the French and the English, sharing insights on how to effectively hunker down and control the game.

Confident_Gap819 highlights the frustratingly long wait times for top players in Team Ranked, with some waiting over 15 minutes for a match. The discussion points to a lack of sufficient players at the higher ranks, raising concerns about the matchmaking system's effectiveness.

我必须立刻_点燃大海 expresses growing frustration over the increasing number of cheaters in AoE4, noting that recording and reporting them takes away valuable gaming time. They highlight the emergence of harmful hacking tools that alter civ choices and grant extra resources, raising concerns about the game's future vitality.

DrunkenSmuggler suggests that Rus hunting cabins should provide additional population space, similar to how French docks function. This idea could significantly impact the early game dynamics for the Rus civilization, enhancing their strategic options and overall gameplay experience.

DanoWars is seeking help with an issue on Xbox Series X where, despite uninstalling the Sultan's Ascend and Knights of Cross and Rose DLCs, the content remains accessible in Age of Empires IV. They want to know how to remove these DLCs completely to avoid seeing them when selecting random civilizations and maps.

pm303 humorously captures the anticipation of the Age of Empires 4 community as they await the upcoming patch and its potential impact on gameplay. The post resonates with players eager to see how balance changes might shake up the meta and affect their favorite civilizations. It's a lighthearted reminder of the excitement that comes with new updates.

Kaycarrascoza shares their experience as a new player in the Age of Empires 4 community, expressing appreciation for the welcoming atmosphere. They’re looking for fellow newcomers or experienced players to team up with and learn together, ideally within the EU timezone and around Silver 1 rank. They also inquire about Discord servers for connecting with others.

90WISHROCKX raises concerns about the lack of permanent bans for cheaters in Age of Empires IV, highlighting that developers are restricted by Microsoft policies. They point out that even temporary bans are ineffective due to the ability of cheaters to use Steam family sharing to bypass restrictions, questioning whether the game might benefit from a system like that of Age of Empires III.

MNPhantom seeks advice on optimizing their Japanese Fast Castle build order, expressing frustration at consistently reaching the Castle Age later than expected. This discussion invites experienced players to share their strategies and tips for improving efficiency with the Japanese civilization.

CabbageYeeter42 highlights the often overlooked brilliance of Age of Empires 4's original soundtracks, discussing how the music enhances the gameplay experience and immerses players in the historical setting. They encourage the community to appreciate the compositions that accompany epic battles and strategic maneuvers.

ActualRefrigerator75 sparks an interesting discussion about the Vassal mode in Free-for-All (FFA) games. They’re eager to find out if there are many FFA matches being played with this mode and are looking for players to join in. It's a great opportunity for anyone interested in exploring new gameplay dynamics!

Mosquitosarenotcool shares an intriguing discussion about the dynamics of being carried in Age of Empires 4 matches. The conversation dives into the nuances of teamwork and individual performance, highlighting how players can sometimes rely on others to secure victories, especially in ranked games. It's a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the social aspects of competitive play.

In a lively discussion, isaidflarkit expresses disappointment over the Blood and Bones pack for Age of Mythology, suggesting that the content may not meet players' expectations. The conversation highlights concerns about the perceived value and quality of the new additions, sparking a debate among fans about the direction of the game.

Live_Lack_79 raises an intriguing question about potential cheating in a recent 4v4 match, where an opponent accused one of their teammates of exploiting a bug. The discussion invites players to analyze the game details linked to identify any suspicious behavior or rule-breaking tactics that might have occurred during the match.

Level-Background5921 raises concerns about the current state of ranked matchmaking, sharing experiences of mismatched skill levels in recent games. After returning to the game, they noticed significant disparities in player abilities, leading to frustrating matches. This discussion invites players to share their own experiences and insights on the matchmaking system.

Callyourname highlights a concerning trend in Age of Empires 4 where players are reportedly cheating by swapping civilizations mid-game. This discussion sheds light on the implications of such actions for competitive integrity and player experience, urging the community to address this rampant issue.

Silent-Werewolf7887 shares a humorous take on the Age of Empires 4 support team's investigation into cheating complaints. The video features actual footage that pokes fun at the process, highlighting the community's ongoing concerns about fairness in competitive play. It's a light-hearted look at a serious issue that many players are facing.

Helikaon48 shares a wish for a similar content pack in AoE4 as seen in the recent 'Blood and Bones' pack for Age of Mythology: Retold. While acknowledging that such additions may not appeal to everyone, they believe it could enhance the experience for many players who enjoy thematic expansions.

LUZITANO expresses frustration over the Japanese civilization's rapid advancement and powerful units despite a perceived weak economy. They question how a nation historically limited to its islands can dominate in Age of Empires IV, suggesting a need for balance adjustments to address this disparity.

This humorous post by probablyNotARSNBot uses a popular meme format to reflect on unexpected situations in Age of Empires IV. It resonates with players who have faced surprising game outcomes or matchups, sparking a lighthearted discussion about their own experiences in the game.

In a light-hearted exchange, Ryeshe3 checks in on Anochad regarding his visa status, highlighting the often overlooked challenges that pro players face when traveling for tournaments. This casual discussion reflects the community's camaraderie and support for players navigating international competition.

Medium_DrPepper humorously showcases a moment in Age of Empires IV where a player receives two sheep, highlighting the unexpected twists that can occur in gameplay. This light-hearted content captures the fun side of resource management and the surprises that can come from interactions with other players, making it relatable for fans of the game.

Ok_Rush1869 expresses frustration over encountering unusual cheese strategies in Platinum rank matches, feeling that the quality of gameplay has diminished. They reminisce about the more enjoyable and competitive games from the past, lamenting the prevalence of these tactics that disrupt the experience.

Shinyhero30 shares a wild experience from a team match where they encountered an unprecedented amount of gold, allowing for mass knight production just from turtling. It's a fascinating glimpse into how resource abundance can shift gameplay dynamics, especially against tough opponents. The post also humorously touches on unrelated tech issues with Windows, adding a personal touch.