Age of Empires II: The Conquerors -- Time Study
FAQ Written by PyroFalkon (pyrofalkon@hotmail.com)
Version 1.0
Last Update: 03 November 2000
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--REVISION HISTORY--
03 November 2000 (v1.0) - First release.
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--OPENING BLURB--
This is an updated version of another FAQ I wrote on the original Age of
Empires II, also located on this site (at least, it should be).
Due to the expansion adding dozens of new technologies and units, not to
mention changing the building times of a few others, I've decided to copy most
of my FAQ and time the speeds of the new things. I make no apologies for
plagiarizing myself.
Most of the FAQ has remained unchanged, so if you're familiar with my old one,
then you'll have no trouble with this one.
If you haven't read my old FAQ, then read the next paragraphs. It's a direct
copy of my old FAQ intro, and it's pertinent information. If you have read my
old FAQ, don't worry about it, because it's an exact copy. Just jump on down to
the timings.
I assure you that this list cannot help you in any way if you're just starting
out. Knowing timings is only helpful in ally games (so you can tell your ally
how long it'll take before you can attack or whatnot), and to veteran players
trying to time their strategies correctly.
My strategy, of which I won't go into too much detail in with this FAQ, is
dependent on perfect timings between my villager building times and when
resources are gathered to build the next building. If the balance and timing is
upset, I get delayed, and any delay can of course result in a loss. I've used
my strategy so much that I can time it just by "feel," but knowing real times
helps me in multi-player games. Instead of telling my ally, "I'll be there in a
moment," I can now say, "My first division will be ready to attack in 4
minutes, 40 seconds." See how much this can help?
Anyway, I will assume that I won't have to tell you what all the upgrades do.
For that information, read other FAQs (especially Red Phoenix's).
So, enough talk, let's move on with it.
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--NOTES--
The times are sorted first by Age; then by whether it's a building, technology,
unit, or economy; then alphabetically by first appearing letter. If there are
more than 5 in one category, I'll put breaks every 5 so you don't get times
mixed up.
All buildings' times are based on 1 villager building it with the exception of
a Wonder, which I had 40 villagers working.
All buildings' times are without the Treadmill Crane. If you've researched
Treadmill crane, multiply the time listed by .8 to get the real time.
All units' times are without Conscription researched. If you've researched
Conscription, multiply the time listed by .66 to get the true time, but only if
it's a non-siege unit. The siege units are the Mangoel, Onager, and Siege
Onager; Battering Ram, Capped Ram, and Siege Ram; Scorpion and Heavy Scorpion;
and Trebuchet. Those units are not affected by Conscription.
Units that have been upgraded do not gain or lose training time, so I haven't
bothered listing it more than once. For example, Militia, Men-at-Arms, Long
Swordsmen, Two-Handed Swordsmen, and Champions have the same build time since
they are technically the same unit. In other words, if you want to know the
build time of a unit, find the base unit.
Fishing boats' times never change.
Economy times don't change between Age III and Age IV.
I did not take team bonuses into account. I used "Full Tech Tree" mode, so it
didn't matter what race I chose for the timing. If you have a civilization or
team bonus, calculate it in with the time listed.
I did not time unique units. That will come in a future edition of the FAQ.
All times are in real seconds (the game clock goes a bit fast or slow sometimes
based on computer and network speeds).
All times are based on the Normal speed setting.
Due to human error, give me .5 seconds leeway both ways.
===
--AGE I: DARK AGE--
BUILDINGS
Barracks -------------- 27.92
Dock ------------------ 19.42
Farm ------------------ 8.41
House ----------------- 13.76
Lumber Mill ----------- 19.18
This is my third FAQ. I'd like to thank Red Phoenix, whose wonderful FAQ gave
me the idea to do this.
If this helps your gaming or strategies, e-mail me. If you found a mistake or I
missed something, e-mail me. If you want to chat about games in general, or
just stuffeth in general, e-mail me.
Future editions will include each civilization's unique unit and technology. If
I missed anything, I'll add that too.
This document is copyright 2000 for PyroFalkon. If you plan to use it as part
of an FAQ, you need my permission first. However, if you plan to post it on a
website or e-mail it to someone or whatnot, you may do so without my
permission. I'd like you to drop me an e-mail so I know where you're going to
take it, but I will not require you to do so.
