Age of Empires 4: French Civilization Age of Empires 4 guide, walkthrough

On this page of the Age of Empires 4 guide you will find the most important information about the French civilization.

Last update: 01 December 2021

This page of the Age of Empires 4 guide contains a description of the French civilization. You will find here an overview of bonuses and advantages, a list of unique units and technologies, and a detailed explanation of each Landmark.

French Civilization will be perfect for those beginning their adventure with Age of Empires 4. Its offensive skills, raw material production bonuses, and trade benefits allow it to rapidly accumulate materials for instant development.

• Bonuses
• Unique units
• Landmarks
• Unique technologies
• Summary

Bonuses

1. Accelerated production of Villagers and Scouts every new era (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%);
2. 30% cheaper economic technology;
3. Raw material storage buildings are cheaper by 25 wood;
4. Trading Posts are marked on the minimap after the start of the game;
5. Traders can return any resource to the Market;
6. Close combat technologies are researched for free;
7. Merchant ships return 20% more gold;
8. Units produced in the Archery Range and Stable under the influence of Keep are 20% cheaper.

Unique units

1. Royal Knight - a heavily-armed Horseman, available from the 2nd era. Has an attack bonus for 3 seconds after charging. Upgrading this unit, unlocked in 3rd era, costs less than for other civilizations;

1. Arbalétrier - light ranged infantry unit, replacing Crossbowmen;
2. Cannon - a siege machine with powerful range and firepower;
3. Galleass - a special long range war galley.

Landmarks

2nd era:

1. Chamber of Commerce - an economic building with Market features that makes all Traders and Trade Ships return 30% more resources;
2. School of Cavalry - a military building with Stable features, where units are produced 25% faster.

3rd era:

1. Guild Hall - an economic building used to store and generate a selected resource. The greater the amount of raw material stored, the faster it will be generated;
2. Royal Institute - a military building that has all the unique technologies available to French civilization. Technologies are 25% cheaper and can be purchased regardless of the era required.

4th era:

1. College of Artillery - Military building, providing better variants ofartillery machines that deal 20% more damage;
2. Red Palace - a defensive building that has the characteristics of a Keep. The facility is equipped with crossbowmen stations, inflicting significant damage. Each unit in the garrison receives an additional firing position.

Unique technologies

2nd era:

1. Long Guns (Dock) - Increases damage dealt by naval guns by 10%;
2. Chivalry (Stable) - Royal Knights units regenerate 1 stamina point every second during battle

3rd era:

1. Gambesons (Archery Range or Royal Institute) - Arbalétriers units receive a bonus to melee armor;
2. Canted Saddles (Stable) - increases the attack bonus received after a charge by 10 to units of Royal Knights.

4th era:

1. Crossbow Stirrups (Archery Range) - reduces reload time by 25% for Arbalétriers units;
2. Royal Bloodlines (University) - replaces Biology. Increases the maximum stamina points of all cavalry by 35%;
3. Enlistment Incentives (Archery Range) - The cost of a unit in Keeps is reduced by another 10%.

Summary

Despite having access to strong cavalry, French civilization does not have many defensive skills. You should focus on developing your settlement as quickly as possible and building a Stronghold, which will reduce the cost of producing new units, in buildings under its influence.

When moving into a new era, the French gain increasingly powerful abilities, including the Royal Knight cavalry unit, and gain a significant reduction in the cost of producing an army. In addition, they have powerful siege weapons and their melee damage technologies are completely free, which will allow you to unlock upgrades quickly.

The French cavalry is incredibly strong, and it's easy to build up a sizable troop early in the game. Royal Knights units can execute a charge that can break through enemy defensive lines. These attacks should be supported by ranged units unique to French civilization and equipped with defensive shields.

When playing the French, you can adopt many effective tactics. They are great at constantly harassing the enemy and quite effective at sieges.