Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition ‘Drush’ build order and strategy guide
Rushing your opponent in the Dark Age is a key Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition strategy for beginners and pros alike. Here’s what you need to know.
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AnAge of Empires 2: Definitive EditionDrush(shortened down from Dark Age rush) is a great way to get the upper hand early in a match, but it doesn’t come with its fair share of risks. If you’re wondering how you can harass your opponent early and effectively in your next game, this guide should help you nail and basics of a Drush.
Why Drush your opponent?
There are many Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition strategies to choose from. If you prefer applying pressure to your opponent early and not letting up as you move through the ages, the Drush is no doubt the best option.
The Age of Empires 2 Drush strategy is meant to surprise and delay your opponent with early aggression.
The Drush involves sending militia (the only military unit available in the Dark Age) to the enemy’s base to disrupt early economy. The goal of the Drush isn’t to pad your kill-to-death ratio. It’s instead meant to distract and delay your opponent to the point where they cannot keep up to the pressure you continue applying through the ages. Worry less about killing villagers and focus more on pulling them away from their assigned duties.
If your opponent is playing as a civilization with strong cavalry, it’s natural to assume they will attempt to hit you with fast-moving Scout cavalry as soon as Feudal Age is reached. Harassing their foragers, hunters, and even farmers (if they’re not too close to the Town Center) will cause food shortages.
On the other hand, if the opposing civilization is strong with archers, crippling their wood and gold economy as they head into Feudal Age is paramount. An Age of Empires 2 match is generally a number of small opportunities that, when seized, grow into a victory.
Some civilizations are better geared for a Drush, including those with extra food and gold bonuses (Lithuanians, Aztecs) or those with cheaper infantry (Goths). However, all civilizations can pull off the Drush to some extent.
How to Drush in Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
Like any good Age of Empires 2 strategy, there are multiple ways to pull it off depending on the game’s current meta-state. I will focus here on a Drush that will have militia harassing your enemy at around the 10-minute mark of the match.
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The Drush is best paired with mid- and late-game strategies; it alone will not win a game unless your opponent is seriously underprepared. Two common exit strategies will take your Drush into archers or into a standard Fast Castle. Since I’ve already written anAge of Empires 2: Definitive Edition Fast Castle strategy guide, I will focus on aDrush into archerswith the following build order.
Most civilizations begin a match with three villagers and a scout, which I will focus on here. I will also ignore individual civilization bonuses (like extra starting gold or food) to make it better suited to all playstyles.
These final few steps will differ depending on your civilization’s needs. If you’re low on one resource, retask the sheep/boar/deer villagers as needed.
You’re now in Feudal Age with the buildings required to train archers and upgrade their equipment. All villagers are tasked with gathering resources, and your militia and scout should continue to cause issues at the enemy’s base if they’re still alive.
Start training archers from both archery ranges, and be sure to pull villagers away to build more houses as needed. As resources allow, research Double-Bit Axe at the lumber camp, research Fletching at the blacksmith, and research Padded Archer Armor at the blacksmith.
New villagers created during Feudal Age should be tasked to farms; the current six villagers on gold and 12 villagers on wood should be enough to support your archer production. If your gold production is lagging behind, move new villagers to gold as needed. Castle and Imperial Ages will see huge demand for gold.
With Fletching and Padded Archer Armor researched, send a group of archers to the enemy base. Focus on killing villagers and keep your archers away from the enemy TC. Consider splitting your archers up into groups to make it harder for your opponent to defend. Never send archers in to fight one at a time.
Quick-glance summary of Drush steps
Following are the above steps condensed down to make them easier to read while in a live match.
Perfecting the Age of Empires 2 Drush
There are plenty of variables and unforeseen happenings that can cause your Drush to fail. The enemy might wall their base early, boxing your militia out. You might not be able to find the enemy’s base in time to surprise them. Or the enemy might plan their own Drush, surprising you at home while your units are across the map. Good scouting, as with any strategy, is required to pull it off successfully.
Focus more on pulling enemy villagers away from resources than on killing them. Villagers can’t defend themselves and gather resources at the same time.
If a Drush goes according to plan and you surprise the enemy with militia, focus on keeping your small army alive. The longer your units run around the enemy base, the more distracted and frustrated the enemy becomes. Don’t rush in and stand your ground to attack a group of villagers. Militia are relatively weak, and a group of villagers will put up a strong fight. Instead, try to lure villagers away from their work; they can’t attack you and gather resources at the same time.
Keep your militia and scout together. They are stronger when grouped up. Keep them away from the enemy TC’s arrow fire. And don’t worry if the Drush units die. As long as they delay the enemy, you should be able to reach Feudal Age first. In this case, it means your archers will be ready to attack before the enemy can prepare a proper defense. If possible, pull your scout away before death. It can continue exploring the map.
The Drush is not a game-winning strategy (most of the time), but it provides an excellent foundation for a win gained by making the most of small opportunities. Plan your Drush at the front of another strategy (like Fast Castle or Feudal Archers) for best effect.
Be sure to have a look at ourAge of Empires 2: Definitive Edition Ultimate Beginner’s Guidefor some great tips on getting your game off the ground. And if you’re yet to take the plunge due to not having the right PC, check out our guide to best laptops for playing Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition.
Microsoft completely revamped and re-released Age of Empires 2. Unlike the HD edition, this game comes rocking all-new graphics, sprites, animations, features, and other quality of life improvements.
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