Basic Start-ups

Now moving on to the basic start-ups in the game. The following are the starts in the game:

• Boom Start
• Rush Start
• Ancient Raid Start

Boom Start: It is basically getting your economy to the maximum i.e 100 food 100 wood in all nations and 125 food 125 wood in case of british. Basic fundamental is to get your economy to the highest economy limit while researching all 4 technologies i.e military, civic, commerce and science.
It should be in this order (Standard order):
- Science 1 followed by Civic 1
- Get farms and villigers on woodcutters simultaneously
- Then make 2nd city
- Get market followed by caravans and merchants.
- Get military 1
- Age up

Pros: Fastest way to boom and go to age 2.
Cons: If raided in age 1, you are in danger.
Note that this order can vary based on the map and conditions in the game

Rush Start: This is an aggressive start. It kills your opponent before he comes to know about it. But a very risky start. You fail in it, you lose out.
It should be in this order:
- Science1 followed by Military 1 OR Directly Military 1 to save time for wood gathering
- Simultaneously scouting and putting villigers on farms and wood
- Build Barracks
- Army Composition: min 5-6 HI (Heavy Infantry) + 1 Archer or 1 Slinger (Light Infantry)
- Find capital and attack wit HI
- The moment you get capital sac ( i.e 500 Food 500 Wood 500 Wealth), Age up

Pros: If executed properly, you win.
Cons: You fail in it, its very difficult to get back on your feet.

Ancient Raid Start: Ancient raids are nation specific and can be done by nations like Aztecs, British, Bantu, etc. I'll post them later in detail. Ancient raid slows your opponent considerably and gives you an edge in winning the game.

Example :- Aztecs ancient raid (Basic steps)
- Aztecs so you have militiary 1 researched.
- Dont go science 1
- Build Barracks. You'll get 1 slinger free. Rally point it directly to ur oppoent
- Make 1 Heavy Infantry (HI) send it to your oppoent.
- Note dont waste time in sending them.
- Dont let your opponent build 2nd city. This slows him considerably. Attack HI to city and slinger(LI) to his villager(s).

Pros: Successful Execution - You have an edge in winning.
Cons: Unsuccessful Raids - You are a little slow but that is comparably a good position then a failed rush.

Note that your start should be nation specific and condition-based. I'll cover nation specific starts later.