Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition
130 Achievements
1,580
PC
The Malian Arts
Earn a gold medal in the Malian Art of War challenge.
10
0.1%
How to unlock the The Malian Arts achievement in Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition - Definitive Guide
Mikasz
TrueAchievements
TrueAchievements
Written guide for the challenge:
Gold score requirement: 7 000 gold collected by the pits
There are three roads at the top of the map. The one to the left will be used by ranged units, including elephant archers (later on with spearmen). The middle one will usually have armored units but from time to time there will be an attack composed of other unit types (at that time the other two passages will not be attacked). The right passage will be used by cavalry units.
Move your javelin throwers to the left, donsos to the right and musofadi warriors into the middle. Your goal is to get around 15 units on each passage. Defend against small attacks until the bigger attack through the middle is announced.
Move all your units to the middle but let enemy move through the forest corridor. Your goal is to ambush them, not go into a direct column vs column. Move your donsos into the front so they can intercept the cavalry. Javelin throwers should work as archers here and constantly attack anything that leaves the forest. Once the cavalry is eliminated, move your musofadi warriors into the front and aim to swap their positions with donsos. Once the main attack is destroyed, return the units to their original positions.
After next few attacks enemy will add monks at the back of their squads. The normal monk is only going to heal the enemy units, you do not need to do anything about it, kill it as the last unit. However, there will also be monks holding relics that can convert your units. Make sure you kill those first, send 3-4 soldiers to kill those guys while the rest fight the main force. You can also put units into stealth and ambush monks from behind using your musofadi warriors (only in the middle path, move your warriors to the side of the forest).
Eventually the next middle attack will appear. Welcome them in exactly the same way as before but leave 4 musofadi warriors in stealth in the forest. The enemy will add mangonels which have huge AOE attack. The 4 in the forest must intercept siege weapons while letting every other units pass. This way you'll demolish the main force and leave them without support. After mangonels are destroyed, kill monks.
Remember that musofadi warriors can heal if they are in stealth (using the stealth action -> 'Q' hotkey). It is not very reliable but every bit of help counts.
After you reach 6 000 gold and you deal with another centre attack, you're pretty much home free. Even if your units are destroyed the enemy will have to destroy toll outposts and then proceed to the mines. It should give you another 1 000 gold while you are waiting for the mission to finish.
My main reinforcements were musofadi warriors, I also added 4 archers behind their backs in the middle. Apart from this I bought javelin throwers and donsos whenever my numbers were dropping below 10 and I had no problems holding off all flanks. After I reached more than 7 000 gold the enemy started to send bigger stacks that destroyed my left and right flank. I moved my middle army to slow down the other flanks which gave me another 1 000 gold.
Overall, it is an easy challenge that you should finish on the first or second attempt if you just reinforce your flanks and let the enemy come to you.
Gold score requirement: 7 000 gold collected by the pits
There are three roads at the top of the map. The one to the left will be used by ranged units, including elephant archers (later on with spearmen). The middle one will usually have armored units but from time to time there will be an attack composed of other unit types (at that time the other two passages will not be attacked). The right passage will be used by cavalry units.
Move your javelin throwers to the left, donsos to the right and musofadi warriors into the middle. Your goal is to get around 15 units on each passage. Defend against small attacks until the bigger attack through the middle is announced.
Move all your units to the middle but let enemy move through the forest corridor. Your goal is to ambush them, not go into a direct column vs column. Move your donsos into the front so they can intercept the cavalry. Javelin throwers should work as archers here and constantly attack anything that leaves the forest. Once the cavalry is eliminated, move your musofadi warriors into the front and aim to swap their positions with donsos. Once the main attack is destroyed, return the units to their original positions.
After next few attacks enemy will add monks at the back of their squads. The normal monk is only going to heal the enemy units, you do not need to do anything about it, kill it as the last unit. However, there will also be monks holding relics that can convert your units. Make sure you kill those first, send 3-4 soldiers to kill those guys while the rest fight the main force. You can also put units into stealth and ambush monks from behind using your musofadi warriors (only in the middle path, move your warriors to the side of the forest).
Eventually the next middle attack will appear. Welcome them in exactly the same way as before but leave 4 musofadi warriors in stealth in the forest. The enemy will add mangonels which have huge AOE attack. The 4 in the forest must intercept siege weapons while letting every other units pass. This way you'll demolish the main force and leave them without support. After mangonels are destroyed, kill monks.
Remember that musofadi warriors can heal if they are in stealth (using the stealth action -> 'Q' hotkey). It is not very reliable but every bit of help counts.
After you reach 6 000 gold and you deal with another centre attack, you're pretty much home free. Even if your units are destroyed the enemy will have to destroy toll outposts and then proceed to the mines. It should give you another 1 000 gold while you are waiting for the mission to finish.
My main reinforcements were musofadi warriors, I also added 4 archers behind their backs in the middle. Apart from this I bought javelin throwers and donsos whenever my numbers were dropping below 10 and I had no problems holding off all flanks. After I reached more than 7 000 gold the enemy started to send bigger stacks that destroyed my left and right flank. I moved my middle army to slow down the other flanks which gave me another 1 000 gold.
Overall, it is an easy challenge that you should finish on the first or second attempt if you just reinforce your flanks and let the enemy come to you.
7 Comments
I had a much easier time using this method than the other guide with one mass of units. Would have had it on first try with this method had I not lost all my donsos to a wololo at the end like a moron.
By Fireal20 on 05 Dec 2022 00:18
Technique worked like a charm.
By THE DEADLY DOG on 06 Feb 2023 00:58
ZodiaKk418
TrueAchievements
TrueAchievements
In order to unlock this achievement, you need to earn a gold medal in the Malians Art of War challenge by scoring over 7000. I included a video below to help you out if stuck.
Bronze: 3 000
Silver: 4 500
Gold: 7 000
My Score: 8 847
Art Of War: Malians
Bronze: 3 000
Silver: 4 500
Gold: 7 000
My Score: 8 847
Art Of War: Malians
