I thought I would post the FAQ from the other ng here again for the benefit of
some of the newer posters who are gracing this group now.

Some of this is not relevant as it 1. Relates to the AOKCC (age of kings club)
and 2. related to the other (more serious) ng.

**************************************************

This FAQ is meant mostly for people new to this Newsgroup and AoK in whole. Here
are answers for many questions that have been asked by you. Questions and
comments are warmly welcome by email - click on my name at the top of page..

1. Why can't I... (Newbie questions)

2. Multiplayer Questions

3. Website Questions

4. Miscellaneous

5. Abbrevations

*******************************************************************************

1. Why can't I... (Newbie questions)

Question list for this chapter: either scroll or click on the links below:

1.1 How do I build Fireships?

1.2 Why can't I build Siege Workshop?

1.3 In some games I do have access to Paladins, in other games I can't even
build a Stable? What's the factor that determines that?

1.4 How do I place resources (gold, stone, etc. in the Map Editor)?

1.5 What an attack bonus is?

1.6 Why can't I see buttons for military formations and attack stances?

1.7 Why is the score displayed in number/number format? What do they both mean?

1.8 How do I understand these team bonuses? Do they apply to myself?



Q: How do I build Fireships?

A: You need to click the Dock, and then click on the bold red arrow pointing
right to get access to Demolition Ships, Fire Ships, Longboats, Turtle Ships and
upgrades for them.

Q: Why can't I build Siege Workshop?

A: Many buildings and units in the game require that you have already
built/researched something. For Siege Workshop you need to have a Blacksmith
built.

Q: In some games I do have access to Paladins, in other games I can't even build
a Stable? What's the factor that determines that?

A: For those of you who have never played RTS (real-time strategy) games before,
this might seem strange, especially for veterans of Civilization. In Age of
Empires game series, each civilization has differnet technology tree, what means
they get access to different units, technologies and buildings.

Q: How do I place resources (gold, stone, etc. in the Map Editor?)

A: I guess that of all FAQ this question is asked most frequently. In Map
Editor, clcik on Units at the top of the screen, choose Gaia as the source
player and then click on other on the right of screen. This gives you access to
many objects, including resources. Many of the other objects on this list are
interesting as well, and should be used to create a good scenario, for sure.

Q: What an attack bonus is?

A: That's when a units causes more damage to another unit than it should. For
example, Skirmishers have an attack bonus vs. archers, what means they cause not
2 damage (their attack) but more to archer units. Rams have a very low attack
(in range of 2 to 4), but cause great damage to buildings. For exact numbers of
attack bonuses, you should look up at www.mrfixitonline.com , but in the next
issue I'll perhaps post these here. Anyway, you can easily perform such a test
in the Map Editor.

Q: Why can't I see buttons for military formations and attack stances?
A: make sure you have enabled advanced commands. You can tuurn advanced commands
on/off by clicking a button near the mini map.

Q: Why is the score displayed in number/number format? What do they both mean?
A: First number is your score, second number is an average score of your team.
If you're the only one on the team, both numbers are equal.

Q: How do I understand these team bonuses? Do they apply to myself?
A: Yep, this have also been problematic for many people to find out.They apply
to all members of a team. Teams are defined before the game starts, and if
they're not locked, and alliances change later, this has no impact on the team
bonuses. If, for example you're Briton an a team with Aztecs and Koreans, on
your team there are:
Briton bonus - Archery Ranges work 20%
Aztec Bonus - Relics generate gold 33% faster
Korean bonus - Mangonels, Onagers and Siege Onagers +1 Range
All 3 players get each of these bonuses. In games without teams, the team bonus
only applies to yourself.


2. Multiplayer questions

Question list for multiplayer - click or scroll.

2.1 Should I play multiplayer games?

2.2 Where do you all play multiplayer games?

2.3 What do I need to play AoK multiplayer?

2.4 What about gaming clans?

2.5 What is command lag

2.6 In multiplayer pre-game screen I can see a number called "Ping" for each
player. What is it?

Q: Should I play multiplayer games?

A: For sure. For those, who have just recently bought AoK, game AI might seem
good, but later you understand that it plays quite humble, and can't use those
various strategies that humans do. Also, you can easily chat with your human
allies to issue them commands, while AI allies only understand some commands,
and for sure, aren't so good.

Q: Where do you all play multiplayer games?

A: Most of us play on MSN Gaming Zone (www.zone.com), though there are other
multiplayer clubs and communities, like AoKCC (www.aokcc.co.uk). Or some people
just tend to use ICQ to help out their games.

Q: What do I need to play AoK multiplayer?

A: You need the game, Internet connection (of course, it's better to have a fast
one) and a Zone name. When you visit the Zone (www.zone.com) for the first time,
you create a Zone Name. In fact, you can have as many Zone Names as you want,
and many people have several names, though this number rarely is too large.
Having several name is good to hide your real identity. For example, my Zone
Name is Solver, and I'd use another name if I don't want people to know they're
playing against me. However, I stick to my 1 Zone Name and only play with it.

Q: What about AoKTC gaming clans?
A: There are several clans out there, though the most famous one probably is MPP
(Memphis Powder Puffs). Also see the MPP question in Abbrevations section down
there.

Q: What is command lag?

A: I guess that if you've played at least 1 game on the Zone, you already know
this. Lag is when the commands you issue aren't done immediately, the way it
happens when you play vs. AI. In some games there is almost no lag, while other
games tend to have a terrible lag. Lag is bad because it makes micromanagement
of your economy and the battles much more difficult.

Q: In multiplayer pre-game screen I can see a number called "Ping" for each
player. What is it?

A: Ping determines how fast the game will be. Also, games with better ping have
far less command lag than games with bad ping. The smaller the number is, the
better ping. This number is either green, yellow or red. If ping is red, this
game might be very annoying. So, a rule of thumb is: if ping is better, game is
less annoying.

3. Website questions

These are the questions about what websites to see and use. Scroll or click
(short chapter, actually):

3.1 When you want something about AoK, where do you go?

3.2 I'm new to AoKTC. What's the good strategy source to learn from?

3.3 What are other good strategy sites out there?

3.4 Can I create my own website about AoK?

Q: When you want something about AoK, where do you go?

A: Usually to MFO (www.mrfixitonline.com). Now not only MFO offers resources and
forums, it also has gaming ladders. MFO has a fantastic load of recorded games,
and lots of forums with great activity. Almsot each post gets answered.

Q: I'm new to AoKTC. What's the good strategy source to learn?
A: Actually, MFO (www.mrfixitonline.com) is good strategy source. But, if you're
new go there and look for Newbie Guide by Captn Kidd. It's about AoK, not AoKTC,
but that doesn't matter, as most concepts layed out there can be used under both
games.

Q: What are other good strategy sites out there?
A: Site managed by WR_Sabrina (http://www.franken.de/users/apple/AoK) contains
best strategic posts of this newsgroups, even those which came in a long time
ago.

Q: Can I create my own website about AoK?

A: For sure, there are tons of AoK related sites out there, but to make it good
you need to work quite hard. If you just copy posts from this newsgroup, and
it's all your site contains, then it's worthless.

4. Miscellaneous

4.1 What about MPP?

4.2 Who are you, people on this NG (newsgroup)?

4.3 Who or what is OEK?

4.4 Why can't I watch the recorded games I download?

Q: What about MPP?
A: MPP is gaming clan Memphis Powder Puffs. This is a clan of people who don't
play AoK and AoKTC well, but they all are nice people and are hanging around on
the Zone all the time. They have monthly magazine, as well. For more information
and history of MPP, visit their site or ask One-Eyed King (OEK). Or, if you'd
like to join MPP, you need to visit their website, at
http://www.angelfire.com/vt/mppaok and read about joining. To join, you must be
a bad player, no way for experts there.

Q: Who are you, people in this NG (newsgroup)?
A: We all are a nice bunch of human beings. If you stay with us, you will see
that we're nice, and you'll also see who are the regular posters here.

Q: Who or what is OEK?
A: OEK is One-Eyed King, one of most honourable members of this NG, who is
respected a lot by all of us.

Q: Why can't I watch the recored games I downloaded?
A: Many possibilities. First of all, there is AoK and AoKTC. AoK games are with
mgl extension, AoKTC games are with mgx extension. Under AoK, there also is 2.0a
patch. You might need to keep .exe files of both version 2.0 and 2.0a

Q: I want recorded games! Where do I go?

A: Generally, there are 2 sites on the web for this purpose. First, MFO
(www.mrfixitonline.com) offers a great databse of recordings, both for AoK and
AoKTC. There are spotlight games chosen, so that you can download the most
beautiful ones. Or, just search the databse. Of course, you can upload your own
game as well.

Second site to visit for recordings is WR_Sabrina's site
(http://www.franken.de/users/apple/AoK). Most of the recording there, for now,
are the recordings from AoK tourney, but now non-tourney recordings are coming
in as well.

5. Abbrevations

5.1 What do the letters AoE, RoR, AoK, AoKTC mean?

5.2 What is GRUSH, FLUSH and SMUSH?

5.3 I've seen lots of abbreviations being used. What do they all mean?


Full abbreviations list.

Q: What do the letters AoE, RoR, AoK, AoKTC mean?
A: There are 4 game of these series. Here they are listed by release year:
1997: Age of Empires (AoE)
1998: Age of Empires: Rise of Rome Expansion (RoR)
1999: Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (AoK)
2000: Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion (AoKTC)

AoE and AoK are different games, while RoR and AoKTC are only expansion packs,
or so called xpacks.

Q: What is GRUSH, FLUSH and SMUSH?
A: These are strategies. GRUSH stays for Galley rUSH, FLUSH stands for FeudaL
rUSH, and SMUSH is Saracen Monk rUSH.
FLUSH means you attack your enemy early in the feudal age, using towers to
control his resources, while SMUSH means you achieve Castle Age early, and
attack with Monks.

Q: I've seen lots of abbreviations being used. What do they all mean?
A: There's a list of them at the bottom of this FAQ. It's right here, under this
line.



******************Abbrevation List*******************************
A

AI: Artificial Intelligence - the computer's excuse for a brain
AOKH: Age of Kings Heaven. Website 4 all things AOK.
http://aok.heavengames.com
A-Mush: Aztec monk RUSH - SMush using the Aztecs instead of the
Saracens.
Arb: Arbalests
ATT: Attack, the unmodified damage dealt by a unit

B

BF: Black Forest - Map type
Bloody Style: Game style whereby each player may only build one Town
Center in a game. conceived as an answer to TC pushing prior to the
X-pack release.
Boom: A surge in economic growth most comomnly acheived by producing
large numbers of villagers from multiple town centers.
BT: Build Time the time it takes to create a unit
BT: Bombard Tower
BC or BCan: Bombard Cannon

C

CA: Cavalry Archer
Cat: Cataphract
CG: Cannon Galleon
CKN or Chuck: Cho Ko Nu
CL: Crater Lake - Map Type
Conq: Conquistador
Co-op: Game style, whereby multiple players control the same civ. To
do this two players must ensure both have exactly the same settings
for civ, colour and team number.
CRush: Castle (Age) Rush - Typically involves Castling before the
opponent and attcking immediately. Usually military buildings are
constructed near the opponent's base from which to produce troops to
sustain thev attack.

D

DM: Death Match - Game style, all players start with huge amounts of
resources in Late Imperial Age.
Douche: A Dark (age) Rush - A specific strategy whereby the original
town center is deleted in Dark age and another built near to that of
the enemy. This is then garrisoned with villagers and used to attack.

E

E: Elite - many of the abbreviations herein will also be seen prefixed
by an E to denote the Elite version of a unit
ES: Ensemble Studios developers of the game.
EW: Eagle Warrior

F

FB: Forward Builder
FFA: Free For All - No teams
FFS or FS: Fire ship or Fast Fire Ship
Flood: An attack using a mass of one unit type
FLush: Feudal (Age) Rush - Can take various forms but most typically
towers are built to prevent your enemy from gathering resources whilst
you plod on to Castle age whereupon you can finish them off.
FR: Fire Rate

G

Gush: Galley Rush - a "Rush" with Galleys, usually in feudal or early
castle age. The aim being to achieve early naval dominance.

H

Halb: Halberdier
HC: Hand Cannoneer
HP: Hit Points
Housed: Having insufficient housing to enable further units to be
produced.
Husk(y): Huskarl

IJK

ICQ: "I seek you" Instant Messenger service used by the club et al to
contact each other whilst online.
IP: Internet Protocol. Indivdual number for each PC used to connect
for multi-player games which usually changes each time you connect. To
find your IP#:type "winipcfg" in RUN.

Jag or JW: Jaquar Warrior
Janny: Jannissary

KLEW: An expert strategy for a very fast castle time (typically of
about 14 mins) when your opponent should still be in Feudal age. This
affords the option of either a very early attack or to defend against
feudal Rush.

L

LBow: Longbowman
LCav or LC: Light Cavalry
LOS: line of sight
LS: Long Swordsman

M

M@A: Man at Arms
Mam: Mameluke
Mang: Manguadai
Mang: Mangonel
MFO: Mr Fixit Online - Website 4 all things AOK.
http://www.mrfixitonline.com
MP: Multi-Player

NOPQ

Ons: Onagers

PA: Pierce Armor
PA or Plume: Plumed Archers
Pal: Paladin
Pet: Petard
Phract: Cataphract
Pike: Pikeman

R

Rax:Barracks
Range: Archery Range
RM: Random Map
Rush: Generic term for an early attack that attempts to catch the
opponent unprepared. Typically attacks are concentrated on resource
gathering sites to slow the opponent's economy and advancement to
subsequent ages.

S

Sam: Samurai
Shimo Style: Game style. Typically played as a Regicide game with 5 or
more players. Alliances can be made with any player but allied
victories are disallowed and thus (as, the phrase goes) "in the end,
there can be only one"
Sling: Team strategy in which one player tributes resources to a team
mate to enable an earlier attack than would otherwise be possible.
Skirmies: skirmishers
Smush: Saracen Monk Rush - A type of Castle age Rush whereby monks are
to convert enemy units and buildings. This strategy was conceived
using Saracens because their market bonus allows trading stone for
gold to achieve a faster castle time.

T

TC: Town Center
TC Push: A strategy using mulitple garrisoned Town Centers offensively
to overwhelm your opponent. This strategy is less effective, and
therefore less prevalent, due to changes to the town centre in the
Expansion Pack.
TA:Throwing Axeman
THS: Two Handed Swordsman
TK: Teutonic Knight
Treb: Trebuchet. Often also used as a verb.
TS: Turtle Ship
Turtling: Walling in and concentrating on defense and economy and
attacking later.

UVW

UT: Unique Technology
UU: Unique Unit

VLB: Viking longboat

Warrior's Blood: A scenario where you get upgrades for the amount of
kills. There are several versions with different unit types. You get
it by playing it with someone on the zone that has it.
Watcher: Player who sits in on a game to watch but does not
participate. The watcher sets up as with a Co-op game except the
watcher resigns immediately the game begins.
WE: War Elephant
WW: War Wagon
Woady: Woad Raider

XYZ

x-bow: Crossbowman
XP or X-Pack: eXpansion Pack
Zerk: Berserker
Zone: Multiplayer gaming site run by MSN.
http://www.zone.com/conquerors/

Chat and News group Abbrieviations

AFAIK: As far as I know
BAK - Back at keyboard
brb: be right back
BTW: by the way
CU/ c ya: see you
Flame: an insult
fyi: For your information
gl: Good Luck
HAND: have a nice day
hf: Have Fun
gtg: Gotta go
(v)gg: (very) good game
ic: I see
imho: In my humble opinion
L8R: later
LOL: Laugh out loud
LMAO: Laughing my@$$ off
NG: Newsgroup
np: No problem
nrn: not right now
ROFL: Rolling on the floor
rdy: ready
ROFLMAO: Rolling on the floor laughing my @$$ off
wtf - what the flip

********************
Solver
Zone handle: Solver

********************


There are bound to be other things missing from this so add on as you feel
necessary.


Regards to one and all

PEN
**********************
Zone Names:
MPP_PENinDRAG
ThePENDRAGON
AOKCC_PENDRAGON

ICQ: 79341343
**********************