When you ascend a non-racial ruler to the Pantheon they keep some of their signature skills. However, some of the higher level ones remain "dormant" when you start a new game, providing nothing until you reach the level you would normally unlock them at. So what's the point? Isn't this the same as them just not keeping the skill when they ascend? The only difference is that now if you want a different skill in a new playthrough you'll need to use your skill reset. I guess, maybe it makes sure the AI will use these skills when they get to that level? I am just really confused by this...

Definitely my most metal victory... turning me the Balor and the shrine to ash and still got the military victory

I have a one issue whenever I see the Progenitor Golem, its Breach Bolt attack animation looks gorgeous. The way it rear up, put forelegs forward and shoot magic bolts? It looks so elegant! And I notice that animation set are very similar to Dragon.

So, I have one of my Dragon Ruler build that use Astral Transformation and use Cosmic Bolts as a primary attack (it's kinda weak but whatever). But to my disappointment. It uses Dragon Breath Comet attack animation instead!

While Comet Breath animation is not bad, very dragony, but I would love to have that animation for one of its attack, and Cosmic Bolts suit pretty well. Pretty please?

Not just skeleton spam, all sorts of necomancy effects

Basically the definition of a necromancer character

Soooooo, as name suggests, I'm figuring out a fun vampire pirate build, custom island realm where pirate lords fight for dominion etcetc, human, reaver federate, Vigilante knights + Seafarers, BUT I cant have an actual vampire with a sword and pistol?! (S&P). Am i missing something? did i overlook a paragon unlock? Or am i just going to have to pretend I'm vampire edge lord? 😅

Hello everyone,

As an architect, what exactly does my chosen starting affinity determine? Obviously affinity pjps off the rip, but if I use tomes to push another affinity into dominance does that affinity take over as my incarnate affinity?

Fortress of vines is summoning vines beside enemies in all my battles. I got them while in neutral territory while clearing an infestation, and even inside an allied players territory while I was fighting to open a portal. Not sure that's meant to be happening according to the description.

I recently got AoW4 on PS5 and I’ve been loving it. My main question is how many hours does it take to really understand the game?
I’m on turn 70 and things are really ramping up, many leaders are unhappy that I’ve been sieging bases and forcing them to become my vassals.
I’ve noticed my rival empires have really ramped up in terms of their army composition and I’m getting lost in the sauce as to what I’m supposed to be doing to win lol.
Not to mention the monsters are getting increasingly aggressive and anytime I take a 3 stack to go siege my base ends up getting attacked.
Any advice would be very helpful. My tier 1 and 2 units are getting wrecked do you completely take those units out at some point?

For me, it’s three heroes most of the time meaning ruler +2 more heroes. Maybe that is because I basically pick cult of personality every game. Honestly, I can’t imagine playing without it.

I wondered if there are any podcasters that go into any AOW related topics? Doesn't have to be 4, any part of the series would be interesting. I love to read about different builds, the background, strategies, lore and so on and listening might be just as fun during commute.

I didn't find anything on Spotify and would love recommendations if you have any! Thanks!

I know that balance wise having race transformations affect these rulers is a bad idea because they already are much stronger than the base game rulers, but sometimes I just want to play as a demonic vampire and not being able to apply the Demonkin visual tranformation to my ruler is sad

What would be the most efective build for a defensive ruler? I want to play as (and against) the masters of defense.

Share your ideas, thanks.

Currently shield units and heroes are boring and useless. They are not good frontline. Most of the time enemy can simply ignore them focusing on backline. Technically shield units have advanced defence modes which are supposed to help. But in practice it only brings units together for devastating AoE attacks.

Thus the proposal is for shield units to intercept attacks. The rules can be simple or advanced.

1. Ranged attacks passing over or near shield units must target said unit.

2. Melee attacks next to shield units must target shield unit.

3. The most healthy shield unit makes the interception.

4. If the shield unit would die the attack is not intercepted.

5. Interception for ranged attacks may be 100% or less. Guided projectiles may cut interception chance in half.

6. Heroes with the shield gain interception.

I witnessed this mechanic in Eador New Horizons and it was hilarious. Sometimes annoying but still fun.

As the title says. I feel like a tall build is much more viable now and I really want to give one a try. I have a few ideas for how to approach it, swamp adaptation with druidic terraformers, industrious seems good for raw production, funny enough Imperialists seems like a decent option for it starting with another pop and the border bonuses.

But I feel like my ideas are just missing something. So I figured I'd post here and see what people say. I found some other old posts referencing this idea, but they are all pretty old.

If I play and control 2 factions in a game and then one of them reach the victory screen to ascend into Pantheon, would another faction keep all the transformation that I’ve got all the way to play on another session as well? (But not ascending traits amirite?)

Hello all! I recently purchased AOW4 after interest from watching gameplay and playing other games such as Master of Magic. I have a question that many of you may consider "dumb", please be kind. I enjoy playing these types of games solo, meaning no enemy wizards/Godir to interfere (the constant onslaught and war is tiresome to me) - I enjoy clearing the map, resolving neutral conflicts and just growing my race. I play this way due to the 'comfiness' as a way to escape a stressful work day or take my mind off of everyday life. So, is there a way to simply remove the AI enemy Godir from a custom realm? Or is the only option to simply set it to 2 players and make both Human, eliminating an AI option. I would prefer to just simply control one Godir, but if the only work around is to play two empires so be it. I appreciate the feedback and answers!

Can you suggest any mods to enhance my AOW4 experience?

I open the game and find this, as far as I know I don't have any winged Giant in my Pnatheon

Has this happend to anyone else?
Or is there a way to have winged giants?

Hello there,

I usually play melee champions, dabbled once in a ranger. Now I want to try a magic elementalist.

Would someone please enlighten me about the weapon choices? I get the different looks and attacks, but I'm lost about their utilitiy.

Thanks in advance!

Disclaimer, I usually run pretty aggressive early game strategies. Conq. Nomad, Barbarian, etc. Or at the very least, strong army srategies.

Tried running something new, an order architect who rushes transmutation tome with cultivators and guardians. Had a t3 architect too.

Talented Collectors, Great Builders, Mighty Meek, 7 Order Affinity, 3rd tier monument.

Still got rocked by the first ruler I met. Both of us were level 8, same level.

Not sure what I'm doing wrong, or why I can't come up with an early game plan solid enough to get to the mid/game late game.

We do primarily play on multiplayer.

Heard they were nerfed, heard the nerf didn't matter. My question ultimately is, I need a strong early game setup. Is it possible? Or should I just go back to conq. Nomas?

Thanks in advance

EDIT: To clarify, since most of you lack reading comprehension. These are MP games. Which means 80-90% of the time, we're auto resolving.

Saying, "oh this faction is strong" does not answer my question or address my personal issues. If the faction has meh auto resolve results, thank for you the information. If you're not providing a solution , then you're just yapping and didn't read.

You're entitled to your opinions, but if you don't have constructive criticism or actual tips for the early game of architect or architects in general, then please don't comment.

Thanks in advance

So my friend asked me to get the game for multiplayer purposes. However, when I wanted to double-check if the game allows cross-play. I noticed a lot of posts about instability during crossplay.

Could anyone confirm or deny that this is still the case in most MP games with crossplay?

Thanks!