When starting a game, it is essential to analyze the map layout. You must identify whether your resources are located behind or in front of your Town Center, using the enemy base as your reference point. If your resources are closer to the enemy base they are considered "forward"; if they are on the opposite side, they are "behind."
Read the map: resources behind your Town Center, on the side away from the enemy, are far safer.
✅ Resources Behind
•On the opposite side from the enemy base
•Harder for the enemy to attack without exposing themselves to Town Center fire
•Generally safe in the first minutes — just watch for raids and garrison Villagers if attacked
⚠️ Resources Forward
•Closer to the enemy base
•Build a Tower nearby if you need them for a strategy (e.g. a gold mine to advance ages)
•If not essential right now (like stone with no 2nd Town Center planned), no extra defense needed
It is preferable to have resources behind the Town Center, as it makes it harder for the enemy to attack them without exposing themselves to its fire.
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Use of Palisades
Don't wall your whole base: only palisade when the terrain lets you seal an entire access with little wood.
Some players tend to build Palisades around their entire base from the start. This is not recommended, as they consume a lot of wood that is more efficiently invested in buildings and military units in the early phases.
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Walling the whole base from the start
❌ Surround your entire base with Palisades from minute one, draining wood you need for buildings and units
✅ Only wall early if the map allows it — like blocking a whole access point with a single Palisade. Build larger Palisades later, once your economy can afford it
Tower Upgrades in Feudal Age
Before advancing to Castle Age, remember that in Feudal Age you can upgrade your Towers. These upgrades make them especially useful both for defending your base and for offensive Towers near the enemy base.
Arrow Slits make the Tower fire on its own and with +1 range: key for defending or pressuring near the enemy.
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Arrow Slits+1 range
Lets the Tower fire without needing Villagers inside, and increases its firing range by +1.
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Tower Health100 stone
Invest 100stone to upgrade the Tower's health.
For a more visual understanding of these strategies, the video accompanying this article is essential to fully grasp the defensive tactics.
Town Center
gold
stone
palisade
wood
Castle Age
Villagers inside, and increases its firing range by +1.