The Holy Roman Empire is one of eight civilizations players may select in Age of Empires 4. Relying on the strength of their religious units as well as a solid pool of infantry, the Holy Roman Empire is a powerhouse just waiting to be unleashed. For players already familiar with the game mechanics, this faction represents an ideal choice.
Recognizing how the Holy Roman Empire operates is essential when looking to win a match. Playing to a particular civilization's strengths is important. Luckily, the Holy Roman Empire doesn't lack advantages when it comes to its economy and military. This guide will give players a general idea of how to lead this faction to glory.
Updated October 3, 2022 by Mark Hospodar: Age of Empires 4 has undergone some changes since its initial release. Rebalancing changes have been implemented that affect several of the game's units, upgrades, abilities, etc.
This guide focused on the Holy Roman Empire has been updated to include a new chart detailing the Masteries associated with that civilization. Several of the stats have been updated as well to reflect the new state of affairs.
An Overview Of The Holy Roman Empire Civilization
Much of the Holy Roman Empire's strengths can be derived from their religious units, known as Prelates. These units can perform tasks that go far beyond what monks belonging to other factions can achieve. The Prelate's ability to aid the economy is highly advantageous in the early stages of a match.
Meanwhile, the power of the HRE's Men-at-Arms shouldn't be underestimated either. They can be produced earlier compared to other civilizations, while various potential upgrades make them formidable opponents on the battlefield. Finally, the durability of the HRE's defenses renders them difficult to destroy quickly. The cost of emplacements on Keeps, Wall Towers, and Outposts is also -25% cheaper compared to other factions.
Unique Holy Roman Empire Units
Prelate
The duties of a Prelate are numerous. They can be produced at a Town Center starting from the Dark Age, whereas most other factions have to wait until the Castle Age for their religious units. This makes early relic hunting extremely easy for the HRE. This civilization can place relics inside Towers, Keeps, and Outposts to increase their damage, armor, sight range, and weapon range.
The Prelate's Holy Inspiration ability targets Villagers, which makes them gather resources 40% faster for 30 seconds. The fact that Prelates can be produced starting from the Dark Age also allows this faction to capture Sacred Sites much faster than their opponents.
Landsknecht
Another unit unique to the HRE, Landsknecht are lightly-armored infantry that wields massive, two-handed weaponry. Due to their oversized swords, these units are capable of inflicting area-of-effect damage while in the heat of battle.
Unique Holy Roman Empire Technologies & Abilities
Unique Abilities
- Army of the Empire: Allows for the recruitment of Early Men-at-Arms in the Feudal Age.
- Two-Handed Weapons: Increases the Men-at-Arms' damage by +2.
- Heavy Maces: Increases Men-At-Arms' heavy armor by +6.
- Riveted Chain Mail: Increases the melee armor of Spearmen by +3.
- Marching Drills: Increases the movement speed of infantry by +10%.
- Emergency Repairs: Gives buildings constructed within the influence of a Keep or Town Center the ability to repair themselves.
- Religious Zeal: Nets more Gold for relics stored inside a Monastery.
- Slate and Stone Construction: Gives all buildings an extra +5 fire armor.
- Reinforced Defenses: Increases the health of Walls, Towers, and Gates by +40%.
Holy Roman Empire Naval Advantages
The HRE faction also possesses a few naval advantages. The Fire Stations upgrade increases the repair rate of Docks by +100%. In addition, relics stored inside Docks boost the attack speed of all ships by +5% per relic (max +25%), which allows this faction to be more competitive regarding naval combat.
Religious Upgrades
- Benediction
- Devoutness
- Inspired Warriors
The effectiveness of Prelates can be enhanced as well. Benediction makes Villagers inspired by a Prelate construct buildings +15% faster. By a similar token, Devoutness makes inspired Villagers gather resources +10% faster. With Inspired Warriors, Prelates can inspire military units, improving their armor by +1 and damage by +15%.
Holy Roman Empire Landmarks
- Aachen Chapel (Feudal Age, Religious) – Inspires units in a large radius so long as a Prelate is garrisoned. Acts as a dropoff for all resources.
- Meinwerk Palace (Feudal Age, Military) – Acts like a Blacksmith. Technology researched here -40% and researches +40% faster.
- Regnitz Catherdral (Castle Age, Religious) – Relics placed within the Regnitz Catherdral generate +100% Gold while garrisoned. Holds 3 relics.
- Burgrave Palace (Castle Age, Military) – Acts as a Barracks that produces +400% faster.
- Palace of Swabia (Imperial Age, Economic) – Acts as a Town Center. Produces Villagers +200% faster and -66% cheaper. Cost to build this Landmark is reduced by -20%.
- Elzbach Palace (Imperial Age, Defensive) – Acts as a Keep with +50% health. All buildings within influence take -33% less damage.
Holy Roman Empire Masteries
Players can complete a series of challenges, known as Masteries, for the Holy Roman Empire (along with the other civilizations). Completing them nets the player 1,000 Experience Points as well as various rewards in the form of fun facts, portraits, etc.
|
Challenge |
Description |
Reward |
|
Bestirred |
Gather 500 resources with Villagers affected by Holy Inspiration in the Dark Age |
Portrait: Scythe Fun Fact: Renovatio Imperii Romanorum |
|
Safety In Numbers |
Construct 20 buildings within the range of influence of a Town Center |
Coat of Arms-Sigil: Straight Swords |
|
Test Of Strength I |
Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match against the Easy A.I. |
Fun Fact: The Empress Matilda Portrait: Holy Roman Empire Shield |
|
Resupply |
Defeat 15 enemy units with Men-at-Arms affected by the Two-Handed Weapons technology |
Portrait: Holy Roman Empire Citizen Fun Fact: A Fearsome Hedgehog |
|
Fleet Of Foot |
Research Marching Drills and produce of force of 30 infantry in the Castle Age |
Coat of Arms-Pattern: Single Stripe Banner Pattern Fun Fact: The Edict of Salerno |
|
Ray Of Hope |
Research Herbal Medicine and produce 5 Prelates from the Monastery in the Castle Age |
Portrait: Mace Fun Fact: The Shifting Empire |
|
Test Of Strength II |
Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match against the Intermediate A.I. |
Fun Fact: Emperor of Falconry Monument: Landsknecht |
|
Safeguard |
Construct the Regnitz Cathedral, place a Relic within it, and accrue 3000 Gold from it |
Portrait: Holy Roman Empire Champion Fun Fact: A Fair Wage |
|
By A Landslide |
Defeat 50 enemies with Landsknechte |
Coat of Arms-Sigil: Sailing Ship Fun Fact: Cologne Cathedral |
|
Holy Tithes |
Accrue 1000 Gold from Relics placed within Monasteries, Keeps, Docks, Stone Wall Towers, or Outposts |
Portrait: Beguine Sister Fun Fact: Relics of the Holy Roman Empire |
|
Test Of Strength III |
Win a 1v1 Custom or Skirmish match against the Hard A.I. |
Portrait: Holy Roman Empire Prelate Fun Fact: A Court of Science and Art |
|
Thou Shalt Not Pass |
Construct the Elzbach Palace and then construct 3 Keeps within influence |
Portrait: Relic Fun Fact: The Walk to Canossa |
|
Preach To The Choir |
Convert 10 enemies with a Prelate |
Portrait: Landsknecht Fun Fact: The Crusades |
|
Wonderous |
Research Reinforced Defenses and then achieve a Wonder victory |
Portrait: Charles V Fun Fact: A Fighting Style |
|
Test Of Strength IV |
Win a Custom or Skirmish match against the Hardest A.I. |
Fun Fact: End of the Empire Coat of Arms-Pattern: Diamond Pattern |
Tips For Playing As The Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire is an immensely durable civilization. Aided by Prelates and relics, the troops and buildings of the HRE are difficult to defeat. If players are diligent about collecting relics, their economy can become a juggernaut. Garrison relics everywhere to boost the effectiveness of the HRE's structures.
With early access to Men-at-Arms, aggressive players can attempt to rush their enemies. If the economy can be kickstarted quickly, the HRE player can outproduce and outgun their opponents with startling efficiency. Erect a few proper defenses in key locations to hold off the enemy long enough while recruiting one's own army.
Age of Empires 4 is currently available on PC.