Explore a timeline of how each game server in Aether Kingdoms progresses. With tactical use of this timeline you can gain a strategic advantage. The timeline is for a 1x speed server, and everything will be sped up accordingly on higher game speeds.
Week 1: Start
At the start of the game, each player begins on an equal playing field: 0 culture, no research, no units. Events are weaker than usual this week while the first wave of players gets their boots on the ground. After 3 to 4 days the first players will have a second village, and then the game is on.
Check out the getting started guide for tips and tricks.
The map at the start of the server with players just spawning in
Month 1: Foundations
The first month of the game is about laying the foundations for your Kingdom. Decide when to go for your first Town, what district to get first, what research to pursue. All so you are ready to head out of the early game with a strong foundation.
You will do well to join an Empire early on, especially if that gets you some allied neighbours. Everyone is vulnerable at these early stages, so strength in numbers is a good idea.
Advanced start: if you start later on in the server, it's good to know that you will get 100 culture per day you start later. After 21 days new players also start with a Settlers unit, so they can expand almost instantly.
The different buildings you can make with each district
As for what to focus on first, these are your general options:
- Military: follow the path of the conqueror and build up a powerful offensive army early on. The Military district pairs well with researching the Saddlemaker and Siege Academy buildings early on. This will make you a serious threat for any neighbour wanting a peaceful night of sleep.
- Industrial: you want to become a production powerhouse, pumping out armies and booming your economy. Making optimal use of the Industrial district means researching the Shift Office building quickly to get that sweet 50% bonus. It does, however, require a significant resource investment. That means cutting army or completing a lot of events.
- Culture: rapid development of your Kingdom is what you're after. A culture district give you the fastest growth path to new villages, towns and cities. Especially after unlocking the 50% bonus from researching the Temple building.
- Scientific: you're not looking to push more villages, but instead gain better villages faster. A scientific district gives your research a solid boost, even more so after researching the Observatory building.
Month 2: Growth and preparation
The second month is about using your strong foundation to prepare for the midgame. In these weeks it's recommended to skirmish in your surrounding areas and try to ensure no hostile forces remain too nearby. If you're going for a more defensive playstyle, you'll likely be best off pushing your economy more and start building a defensive army from your towns.
As soon as the server hits 28 days, Aether will net you more resources and units. This happens every month, but day 28 may be the best time to capitalise on it. Save up some Aether and make good use of the monthly increase in value.
Events will become noticeably stronger. They will now spawn spearman and horseman as well, and not just the weaker militia and archers.
After month 2, it will all be about the Empire and how your team is doing.
Month 3: Landmarks spawn
In the 3rd month the midgame gets a running start. All prepared armies are now needed to capture and hold Landmarks, while still being able to defend your own villages. On day 56, the server will spawn in the first objectives: Natural Landmarks.
Screenshot of a Natural Landmark with two allied villages nearby
20 Landmarks will appear on the map: 4 per quadrant and 4 in the center. To capture these Landmarks, you'll need to kill a significant amount of native defenders. When you win this battle, the landmark becomes yours and your Empire can send reinforcements. Landmarks will grant 1 Prestige every 7 days, counting from the moment of capture.
The next 6 weeks will be about capturing and holding Landmarks, whilst working on strengthening the position of your Kingdom and Empire on the map.
Month 4: Monument sites spawn
After 3.5 months Monument Sites will appear around the map. There will be 1 per quadrant and 2 in the center of the map. Each monument site needs to be captured like a Landmark, but it won't start generating Prestige immediately. A monument needs to be built, granting 10 Prestige on first completion and 5 Prestige per week while it remains intact.
The first 2 weeks that the monument sites are on the map, they cannot be built. It's in month 5 that the building plans are released and the race is on.
The map with a completed monument and friendly settlements
Month 5: Monuments activate
Month 5 starts with the activation of the Monuments. The race to completion is on now, and Prestige generation from objectives will see a significant boost.
Other Empires can ruin your day by destroying a completed monument. To repair a destroyed monument costs half the resources of building it, but doesn't grant any extra Prestige. Repairing it does start the weekly 5 Prestige generation again, so you definitely should.
Month 6: Artifacts spawn
The endgame kicks off after 5 months of playtime. The server will spawn in Native Artifacts. These Artifacts function the same as Landmarks, except that they give 1 Prestige per day. 6 Artifacts will spawn, 1 in each quadrant and 2 in the center of the map. Capturing and holding on to these Artifacts can be the difference between a victory or loss.
Artifacts will help conclude the race to 250 Prestige. Are you ready to take on the challenge? Play now!