Rise Of Nations Extended Edition Start Game Strategies

Rise Of Nations, I learnt about this game in early 2004 and till date this has kept me hooked on. Of all the war-strategy variants AOE - 1,2,3; Travian, Age of Mythology etc., I like this game a little more as this game I feel is much closer to reality with respect to ages, warriors, military technologies etc., Of course, there are some drawbacks - Natural resources can't be unlimited etc., 

Anyway, if you have laid your hands on this absorbing game you'll slowly realise that this is much more than a game and you will need a strategy in place.

I will mention the strategies I have used to gradually increase my level:
*All games were practiced with Toughest level. Custom teams (Teams of 4). No Wonder points / territory victory. Conquest mode.

Before you jump to play, make a note of all the nations and their advantages and pick 3-4 Nations which suit your game style. Practice a lot with those 3 or 4 Nations in various scenarios . I personally prefer:

Lakota (you need not build farms / granaries which translates to at least 20 citizens count saved and I can use the numbers saved on farmers for producing military units. On the other hand, number of citizens at the beginning of the game are less when compared to other nations)

Egyptians (You can build wonders an age ahead. Building a Super-collider at Age 7 can work wonders. You can construct 7 farms / city but which according to me is only helpful during the start game)

Americans (You get a free scholar when you build a University, since they have power of innovation. They have other advantages of cheaper military unit upgrades, First wonder built instantly etc.,)

1. Map - I have practiced a lot on Australian outback where you get your own island, then slowly moved to East meets West and then Random Land map
2. Custom teams. Usually Teams of 4 and 8 Nations
3. It is ideal that you keep changing your opponent nations to assess the strengths of each nation

Start Game: The initial 10 - 15 minutes of the game. There are several strategies, how you would begin your game.

Sharpening the Axe move: Ideal for Land / Sea maps

One of my cousin uses this trick frequently. He usually picks Egyptians. Uses all the available food to produce citizens and then builds farms with them. Each farm constructed gives +20 food.

Simultaneously scout is set on search for ruins which are usually (not necessarily) found along the edges and these ruins usually yield Timber as citizens are put for farming already.

Military is researched first and a Barracks is built. 1 Slinger 1 Archer and 1 Slinger are created in that order

Once army is built / being built citizens are put to collect Timber

Commerce is researched if the Map has a Sea and a Dock is built with a Fishing boat reaping +10 Food and Gold (no need for a caravan for sometime) and +10 Food and Metal (even before reaching Age 2 you can accumulate metal). Create merchants and collect as many Rare Resources as possible especially Dye, Silk, Papyrus (papyrus reduces Science costs which in turn reduces other research costs) Furs, and Silver

If there is no sea, Civics could be researched with a village constructed between Mountains or next to a forest

Fisherman Move:

You can try this with Lakota especially if the map has Sea and have to take your chances as it is slightly risky

Set out scout in search of Ruin Bonuses

Research Commerce. Build a Dock. Build two / three Fishing Boats. Put them on Fish and accumulate Food and Gold. Whale will yield Metal only if you have reached Classical age. Keep an eye on other players' age advancement.

Build enough citizens for collection of Timber (Food is generated automatically)

Build a market and try to collect Rare resources

Build a watch post / Lookout

Research Classical Age as soon as possible and guard your fishing boats

Once any enemy reaches Classical age immediately Research Military:

Apx time spent by enemy

Time to research Commerce 2 - Coinage needed to colonise - 18.3 Seconds
Time to Build Trireme 15 Seconds
Time to Build Bark 10 Seconds
Time to build a Slinger 10 Seconds
Time to build an Archer 11.3 Seconds

Assuming you'll be attacked with 2 Slingers and 1 Archer; you'll have a min. of 49.6 Seconds

Time you will have at your disposal apx
Time to research Mil 1 - 13.3 Secs
Time to build a barracks - 28 Secs
Time to create a slinger - 10 Secs
Time to create Archers - 11.3 Secs

You'll need 72.6 Seconds

While researching Military simultaneously build one Tower towards Enemy cities or most likely on a route your enemy can attack you.

Garrison your Archers and extra Slingers in the Tower. You can eject them from the opposite side, and you can create your chances by attacking the enemy from behind

Essentials for start game:

• Try to collect Marble and Tobacco
• Colosseum is a must have - Guard it with your ass, you'll thank heavens for the extra population limit during end game
• If you're not an offensive player construct Terracotta army
• Have a sizable army
• If you have more of any particular resource, sell them in market
• Move your capital when needed

PS: You can share your Start Game tips too!