In the vast landscape of AoE2, relics appear as small golden structures often found in different parts of the map. Beyond their ornate appearance, they serve a dual purpose. Economically, relics present an avenue for steady gold generation.
The more relics housed in your monasteries, the more gold trickles into your coffers, augmenting your economy. Strategically, if a player secures all relics and keeps them for a specific amount of time, they achieve a relic victory, a testament to their mastery over this subtle game mechanic.
Significance of Relics in Matches
It’s tempting to overlook relics in the heat of battle, but seasoned players recognize their inherent value. Possessing more relics than your opponent not only bolsters your economy but can also sow seeds of anxiety in your opponent’s strategies.
There have been numerous matches where the silent accumulation of gold through relics has tilted the balance, enabling players to fund large armies or tech up more quickly.
In essence, while the might of a trebuchet or the swift strike of a cavalry can be felt immediately, the relics’ power is in their long game, subtly shaping the battlefield.
How to Find Age of Empires 2 Relics
Relics, unlike other resources, don’t have fixed spawning points. They’re sprinkled across the map, awaiting discovery. Early game scouting is pivotal for two reasons: understanding the map’s layout and, crucially, spotting potential relic sites.
Being map-aware not only gives you territorial advantages but ensures you don’t miss out on these golden opportunities. Leveraging the line of sight from certain units and researching technologies that enhance scouting abilities can significantly streamline your relic hunt.
How to Pick up Relics
The task of relic collection falls on the shoulders of the Monk unit—a unique unit not built for combat, but crucial for this task. The process is deceptively simple:
- Train a Monk from your Monastery.
- Direct the Monk to a discovered relic.
- Once the Monk reaches the relic, a brief animation plays, signifying the relic’s pick-up.
- Now, guide the Monk back to one of your monasteries.
However, this journey is fraught with danger. Protecting your Monk becomes imperative as enemies might attempt to interrupt this transfer, given its significance.
Defense and Relic Protection
Once a relic finds its way into your monastery, the onus shifts to protection. Left unchecked, an aggressive opponent might attempt to seize it, stripping you of its benefits. Building fortifications, like walls, can hinder direct assaults.
Ensuring a cluster of defensive units around your Monastery can also deter raids. Remember, it’s not just about obtaining a relic—it’s about retaining it.
Relics are more than passive gold generators. With a deep understanding of the game, players can use relics to manipulate enemy strategies. For instance, deliberately leaving a relic unguarded can serve as bait, luring unsuspecting opponents into ambushes.
Likewise, if you’re on the offensive, consider strategies to pilfer relics from enemy monasteries, hitting them where it hurts most. Strategic positioning of your own monasteries can also act as a buffer, making it laborious for opponents to access and contest your relics.