Map Presentation:

Market Place is a semi-open land map that allows for both aggressive and defensive gameplay. This map has neutral markets in the corner which allow players to trade in the late game. Early aggression is common, as players often try to raid each other’s economies to gain an early advantage. This map usually ends up in late game as it will be easy to wall and defend the middle woodline at some point. The start is a bit uncommon as players start with trade carts instead of a scout.

If you’re a high-level player, I recommend checking out the advanced guide for in-depth strategies and advanced insights.

General Tips:

• Practice your Dark Age efficiency and stick to a solid build order.

• Prioritize managing your own economy over damaging your opponent’s.

• Never idle your Town Center.

• Go to the middle for the wood.

• Take safer resources, ideally those located toward the middle of the map toward your woodline, it will be easier to include it in your wall.

• Secure your base early with short walls connecting to your Town Center using the middle woodline.

• Scout your opponent well and adapt your strategy accordingly.

• Play to your civilization’s strengths, whether it’s military units or economic bonuses.

• Don’t hesitate to build a defensive tower in Feudal Age, dying with 200 stone in the bank is a waste!

• In Castle Age, play for map control and punish greedy booms with a forward castle.

• Use castles to control the map as the game progresses.

• Don’t hesitate making a big stone wall in the imperial age, you will need to secure a good trade route.
• Push towards your opponent trade in imperial age
• Buy as much stone as you need, you won’t be lacking gold on this map, castles will be very strong to attack and defend.

Recommended Build Orders:

For Low ELO Players:

• Beginner Scout Rush

• Archer Rush

• Simple Man-at-Arms Rush

For Mid ELO Players:

• Scout Rush

• Optimized Man-at-Arms Rush

• “Free ELO” Strategy

For High ELO Players:

• Scout Rush into fast archers

• Optimized Man-at-Arms Rush

• Drush into Adaptation

• 1-Range Archers

• Skirmishers and Spearmen Defense

Suggested Gameplan:

Dark Age:

• Focus on executing your build order.

• Scout your map properly to find key resources and walling potential.

Feudal Age:

• Complete your build order and start walling your base once your main goal is achieved.

• Add counter units based on what your opponent is creating.

Castle Age:

• Build a second Town Center on a good woodline, treat it like a large lumber camp.

• Stick to two Town Centers to maintain military pressure.

• Add more counter units as needed.

• Take map control and put pressure on the front of your opponent’s base.

• Once you gain map control, take a lot of stone and look to drop a forward castle near your opponent to hit his base.

• Spam town centers to keep booming and protect your base while pressuring your opponent with what you have