Unearth Derelict Wonders: Age Of Wonders 4s Brutal Infestations
The thrill of exploring ancient ruins in Age of Wonders 4 can quickly turn into a desperate struggle for survival when you Unearth Derelict Wonders only to find yourself facing an overwhelming infestation. Early game infestations, particularly from Derelict Workshops, can feel ridiculously powerful, threatening even experienced players. Mastering how to identify, manage, and exploit these threats is crucial for a successful campaign.
At a glance:
- Learn to identify infestation spawn points early and prioritize scouting.
- Understand the scaling of infestation armies and adjust your build order accordingly.
- Develop strategies for containing and eliminating infestations, including early expansion and utilizing vassals.
- Discover how to exploit infestations for experience and loot while minimizing risk.
- Grasp the impact of difficulty settings on infestation strength and overall game balance.
The Infestation Threat: A Brutal Awakening
Infestations aren’t just minor annoyances. Derelict Workshops and similar sites function as monster lairs that can spew forth surprisingly powerful unit stacks in the early game. Imagine scouting a promising province only to discover a Workshop guarding it teeming with units whose combined strength reaches 2.5k by turn 10! Some players have described these forces as laughably OP even on normal difficulty.
These aren’t mindless monsters; they’re a dynamic threat that reacts to your presence. Ignore them at your peril, as they will actively seek to expand and terrorize your fledgling empire.
Scouting and Identification: Spotting Trouble Early
The first step in managing infestations is knowing where they are. Prioritize early scouting with fast-moving units and heroes. Look for:
- Derelict Workshops: Often guarded by moderately strong units.
- Astral Rifts: Portals spawning ethereal and often magically resistant foes.
- Other Unique Landmarks: Some landmarks may harbor unique infestations with specific unit compositions.
Once you’ve identified a potential infestation site, assess the strength of the guarding units. This will inform your strategy for dealing with the threat.
Understanding Infestation Scaling: A Race Against Time
Infestations don’t stay static. They scale over time, spawning progressively stronger units. This means a manageable threat on turn 10 can become an insurmountable obstacle by turn 20. Some players report facing armies including Ironclads (a Tier III unit) by turn 37 on normal difficulty, indicating a steep power curve.
The key is to disrupt their scaling by:
- Eliminating the spawn site: Destroying the workshop or rift prevents further unit generation.
- Controlling the territory: Expanding your cities and outposts around the spawn site can inhibit regeneration.
Strategic Responses: Containment and Elimination
There are several approaches for dealing with infestations, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:
- Early Rush: If the infestation is relatively weak, consider an early rush with a focused army. This can eliminate the threat before it has a chance to grow.
- Containment: If the infestation is too strong for an early rush, focus on containing it. Build outposts and cities to prevent it from expanding into your territory. Defensive structures like watchtowers and fortified provinces can also help.
- Vassal Support: Securing vassals early provides a buffer and additional armies to help defend against infestations. This is particularly useful on higher difficulties where neutral aggression is ramped up.
- Strategic Delay: Sometimes, the best course of action is to delay engaging with an infestation until you have a stronger army. This allows you to build up your forces and develop more advanced technologies.
Example: You spot a Derelict Workshop early in the game. The guarding units are a moderate threat, but you’re worried about the infestation scaling. You decide to build an outpost nearby and focus on recruiting additional units. Once you have a force capable of taking on the workshop, you launch an attack and destroy it.
Exploiting Infestations: Risk vs. Reward
Infestations can be dangerous, but they also present opportunities. Defeating infestation armies grants valuable experience for your heroes and units, and can reward you with powerful loot. Some players even view infestations as farming opportunities, deliberately engaging with them to level up their forces and acquire powerful items.
However, this approach carries significant risk. If you’re not careful, you can easily lose valuable units and resources. Only attempt to exploit infestations if you have a clear plan and a strong army.
Difficulty and Balance: The “Brutal” Truth
The difficulty setting significantly impacts the strength of infestations. On “Brutal” difficulty, the increased neutral aggression can overwhelm AI empires, preventing them from expanding and making the game feel unbalanced. Some players feel that the high aggression from infestations warps the game, shifting the focus from traditional wargaming to survival against a monster apocalypse.
If you’re struggling with infestations on higher difficulties, consider adjusting your strategy:
- Prioritize early expansion: Secure as much territory as possible to limit the spawn sites available to infestations.
- Focus on defensive builds: Invest in defensive structures and units to protect your cities and outposts.
- Form alliances: Team up with other AI empires to share the burden of fighting infestations.
Practical Playbook: Taming the Wilds
Here’s a quick-start guide to surviving early-game infestation rushes:
- Prioritize Scouting: Use heroes or fast units to reveal the map and identify potential infestation sites.
- Assess Threat Level: Evaluate the strength of the guarding units and the potential for scaling.
- Choose a Strategy: Decide whether to rush, contain, delay, or exploit the infestation based on your assessment.
- Execute your Plan: Build the necessary units, structures, and alliances to implement your chosen strategy.
- Adapt as Needed: Monitor the infestation and adjust your strategy as necessary. If it’s growing faster than anticipated, reinforce your defenses or launch a counter-attack.
Quick Answers: Infestation FAQs
Q: How do I prevent infestations from regenerating?
A: Build a city or outpost within the territory of the spawn site. This will prevent the infestation from respawning. Prioritize these key strategic spots and Unearth Derelict Wonders with confidence. * Q: What are the best units for fighting infestations?
A: The best units depend on the composition of the infestation army. In general, units with high damage output and good resistances are effective. Tier 2 and 3 units will be far more effective than earlier ones. * Q: Is it always worth it to fight infestations?
A: Not always. Consider the risk versus reward. If the infestation is too strong or the rewards are not worth the effort, it may be better to avoid it entirely. * Q: How does difficulty affect infestations?
A: Higher difficulties increase the strength and aggression of infestations. Be prepared for a tougher challenge on “Brutal” difficulty. * Q: What about the Empires & Ashes Expansion? Does It change things?
A: The Empires & Ashes expansion introduces new content, including a new Ancient Wonder/Infestation Location, which will add new challenges. The Reaver Culture and Avian Form could give new strategic options for tackling infestations, too.
Actionable Close: Conquer and Thrive
Infestations are a significant challenge in Age of Wonders 4, but they are not insurmountable. By understanding how they work, developing effective strategies, and adapting to the changing threat level, you can survive and thrive in even the most dangerous environments. Remember to prioritize scouting, contain infestations early, and exploit them when the opportunity arises. A well-equipped hero leading even a small army can swing the odds, but never underestimate the raw power of a well-placed city garrison. Now go forth, conquer, and unearth those derelict wonders – just be prepared for what lurks within!