Build Orders
The Fast Castle Boom Build Order (27+2)
Before we diving in, let’s clarify one thing – the “27+2” in the Fast Castle Boom strategy refers to the number of villagers you should have before advancing to the Feudal Age (27) and then to the Castle Age (after adding 2 more villagers in Feudal). It’s all about timing and efficiency. The goal? To hit Castle Age with a solid economy and the resources to expand on the map.
FC Boom Build
| Phase | Population | Action | Resource Allocation | Technology/Upgrade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Age | 6/10 | 6 on sheep | Food: 6 | |
| Dark Age | 10/10 | 4 on wood | Wood: 4 | |
| Dark Age | 11/10 | Lure boar | Food: 7 (boar) | |
| Dark Age | 16/10 | 5 on berries | Food: 12 (berries) | |
| Dark Age | 18/10 | +2 on boar, + farms | Food: 14, Wood: 4 | |
| Dark Age | 21/10 | 9 on wood [2nd Lumber Camp] | Wood: 9 | |
| Dark Age | 24/10 | 3 on gold | Gold: 3 | Loom |
| Transition | Advancing to Feudal | Feudal Age | ||
| Feudal Age | 8 farms, Build market + blacksmith | Wood: 9, Food: 14, Gold: 3 | ||
| Feudal Age | +2 on wood | Wood: 11 | Double-bit axe, Horse collar | |
| Transition | Advancing to Castle | Castle Age | ||
| Castle Age | Build 2 TCs, get bow saw | Bow Saw | ||
| Castle Age | ~18 farms, Wheelbarrow, build 4th TC, + farms | Wheelbarrow |
Grade your performance based on these benchmarks
| Benchmarks | S+ | S | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 pop Feudal | 10:05 | 10:15 | 10:30 | 10:50 | 11:15 | 11:50 |
| 27+2 pop Castle | 13:10 | 13:25 | 13:40 | 14:00 | 14:30 | 15:05 |
| 60 villagers + eco upgrades | 21:30 | 22:00 | 22:30 | 23:00 | 23:40 | 24:30 |
Step 1: The Foundation
- Start Strong: Focus on your standard opening moves. Balance your economy to support a smooth transition through the Ages. Initially, prioritize food and wood, ensuring you can advance without hiccups.
- Advance to Feudal: With 27 villagers under your belt, it’s time to hit the Feudal Age. But don’t stop there; add two more villagers while in Feudal.
Step 2: Hitting Castle
- Castle Age: Once you’ve advanced, the real fun begins. Immediately place two extra Town Centers (TCs) – one ideally near wood and another near stone or gold. This is your power play for a booming economy. The sooner you build 30 farms the faster you get to Imperial Age.
Step 3: Economy Management
- Resource Allocation: In the Castle Age, prioritize wood. You’ll need it not just for building but for creating farms around your TCs.
- Keep the Villagers Coming: The key to a successful boom is non-stop villager production from all three TCs. Keep ’em coming, and you’ll see your economy skyrocket.
- Strategic Farming: As soon as you have 60 wood (40 wood Teutons), build farms. These are your bread and butter (literally) for sustaining villager production and military expansion.
- Flexibility with Gold: Keep a close eye on your gold miners. This flexibility allows you to adapt, buying food or stone as needed, ensuring your boom doesn’t hit a roadblock.
Step 4: Beyond the Boom
- Expand and Conquer: With a booming economy, you’re in a prime position to take control. Whether it’s military might or additional TCs for even more economic dominance, the choice is yours.
- Adaptation is Key: Remember, while the 27+2 FC Boom is killer on closed maps, don’t be afraid to adapt it for open maps. The principles of economic management and expansion are universal.
FAQs
- Q: What if I’m pressured early on?
- A: You should delay your castle only if the pressure is hardcore. Get your economy upgrades (Double-bit axe, Horse collar) and send 3 villagers to mine stone then defend with towers and (archery units if need) while you farm harder. 2 or 5 minutes later, you should be able to click up to castle age with a good economy
- Q: How many villagers should I aim for in my boom before making military units?
- A: You have the market so you should be able to find out if your allies need you sooner or later, based on that, you should aim for around 80 to 100 villagers. Sometimes you may even need to delay the third Town center to build a siege workshop to assist your ally.
Wrapping It Up
Ready to take your AoE2 skills to the next level? Keep practicing, stay flexible, and remember – every game is an opportunity to learn and improve. Happy booming!
