Description[]
Young Alexander is the sixth scenario of the Greek Campaign in Empire Earth, and one of the easiest. The player no longer controls the Athenian Empire, but the Macedonian one instead. It starts the story of Alexander the Great, which goes on for the next two scenarios. It is played from Aristotle's perspective.
Briefing[]
Young Alexander: 336 - 334 BC
"Ignorance and superstition," Aristotle once grumbled as he rooted among the wild herbs growing near the coast in Mytilene, "They're like twin idiots running rampant through the land.."
After her eventual loss to Sparta in the Peloponnesian Wars, the city of Athens lost faith in herself. And, in the rising tide of fear and mysticism that followed, the old philosopher-scientist had chosen to head for higher ground. Here in Mytilene, Aristotle had commenced his studies in natural science, observing and recording the myriad characteristics of the flora and fauna.
But a new storm of militarism was about to sweep across the land. A young prince named Alexander was next in line to rule the Kingdom of Macedon. And a certain philosopher-scientist would soon be appointed to tutor the up-and-coming general in the ways of power.
History[]
No one would have thought it possible, but in 371 BC Sparta was defeated in open battle by Thebes. Bluntly put, it was an inconceivable event. Sparta had towered over her neighbours' armies for so many centuries that, for the Greeks, the monumental turnabout was almost impossible to grasp. The Theban generals who masterminded the victory were Pelopindas and Epaminondas. And at least one significant observer was there to learn all he could of their brilliant tactics: Philip of Macedon.
When Philip ascended the throne of his own country in 359 BC, he was more than ready to exploit the Theban military innovations in radical new ways. In short order, Macendonian "hetairoi" - or "Companion Soldiers" - had united northern Greece and subjugated the great city-states of the south. Although Sparta never swore allegiance to Macedon, she acknowledged the new Macedonian hegemony in a series of treaties that made it clear: Macedon was the true power among the Greeks.
Then, in 336 BC, the Greek world was shocked to learn that Philip had been assassinated. His twenty-year-old son, Alexander, quickly assumed the throne, but Athens, Thebes, and a host of smaller cities took the opportunity to rebel against Macedon's authority. Without hesitation, young Alexander swung into action.
Well-schooled in his father's military skills, the new king soon demonstrated his own spectacular genius on the battlefield by bringing the rebel cities back into line. In the end, because of her repeated treacheries, Alexander felt the need to make an example of Thebes. He ordered the city burned to the ground. Of all the buildings, only the temples were left untouched - and the house of the poet, Pindar.
With the reins of Greece firmly in hand, Alexander was now ready to extend his military reach beyond the Balkans and into Asia. The Greeks had an old score to settle with Persia, and Alexander was the military leader who could make it a reality.
Objectives[]
- Join Aristotle outside the city of Mytilene and hear what he has to say.
- Bring Aristotle and Alexander to the hilltop where King Philip is about to commence a skirmish with the rebels.
- Locate the herd of wild Horses in the hills to the west of the city.
- Complete Alexander's training by selecting him in the Macedonian Town Center.
- If Aristotle returns to the flowery fields of Mytilene, he will become a Prophet and so will be able to help Alexander, although this is optional.
- Defeat the Athenians and the Thebans.
- Defeat the Spartans while protecting the Macedonian Palace. If it is destroyed, your Citizens will rise up against you.
Only the first objective is visible during the beginning. The rest follow as you progress through the game
Losing Conditions[]
- Alexander dies in the scenario.
- Aristotle dies before Alexander is crowned king.
- If a unit wanders into Theban territory before King Phillip II is killed, Thebes will declare war against Macedon and assassinate Aristotle before he can train Alexander.
Hints[]
- Gold and Iron can only be obtained by plundering enemy cities.
- When armed troubles break out in Macedon, be certain to take care of Alexander. Becoming exposed to enemies at the wrong time could cost him his life.
- Listen carefully to Aristotle's advice. He may be able to give you tactical pointers that will tip the scales to your advantage.
- Companion Cavalry (aka Bronze Cavalry) are useful for quickly reaching enemy siege units that would otherwise cut down your other troops.
- You will have to use your skills as a general to defeat your enemies, as opposed to overwhelming them with sheer numbers. (This is due to the low pop cap in the scenario.)
- Sending Aristotle back to Mytilene will be well worth the effort, but be warned: the way back will be full of hurricanes.
Walkthrough[]
Attention: Do not read this if you wish to solve the scenario on your own. Wait for Alexander to meet with Aristotle near the Dock. Once they greet each other, King Phillip and his Phalanx army will appear on a hill nearby. Take Alexander and Aristotle near them. Once the scene plays out, take the two to the other hill (this will now be highlighted on the mini-map) where the horse are. Once the horses are spotted, send the two back to Macedon as the horses will make their way back to Macedon's Stable, which is located right next to the city. By this time King Phillip will be assassinated by three Javelins, who will then turn their attention on the stable. The soldiers inside the city will not attack them until Alexander strikes the first blow. Once the rebels are dead, take both Alexander and Aristotle inside the city. Alexander will be taken into the Capitol when he is near it. Click on it and train him to be Alexander the Great.
If you don't want to train Aristotle as a Prophet, then ignore this section.
Once Alexander goes into the Capitol, click on it, click on the Train Alexander the Great button and then right-click again. This will cancel his training for the time being, giving you breathing space to train Aristotle (trust me, you will need it).
Transport positioning
Take Aristotle to the Transport Ship waiting for him at the Dock. Do not send him directly back to Mytilene, as there will be Hurricanes along the way. Take him to as you can to a crossing between two hurricanes,(as shown in the image), and wait for them to die down. Once they do, take the transport straight across as fast as you can, for they will come back in 10 game seconds. Any damages sustained can be repaired at Mytilene's dock. Bring Aristotle near the flower patches and he will become a Prophet. Repeat the same procedure shown above in the journey back. Once Aristotle has been safely transported back to Macedon, re-initiate Alexander's training.
War with Greece[]
As soon as Alexander emerges from the capitol, a messenger will arrive with news of war with Athens and Thebes. Set your Citizens to gathering Food at the Granaries. Train 5 Archers, 5 Phalanx and 4 Bronze Cavalry. Collecting them with the rest of your soldiers, position them at the yellow border flag down the path to Thebes. Use the messenger Horseman to lure bit by bit of the Theban army to your position. If you attract the attention of the 3 Stone Throwers, send your whole army in with your Bronze Cavalry focused only on the siege machines. Remember to use Alexander's healing ability and war cries as well as Aristotle's malaria calamity.
Once the Thebans are defeated, you will be given Gold and Iron as peace tributes. Use these to train 2 Priests and 5 more archers and phalanx units and rally them at the Theban fields with the rest of your army. In the meantime, build 3 Towers just outside the western city wall and upgrade them. This is in preparation for the impending Spartan attack. Position Aristotle near the towers. Once your army is complete, bring them to edge of the Theban border and use the same "lure and chase" method on the Athenian army. But this time, carefully select out the Athenian stone throwers and have your priests convert them. The siege machines will be useful against the Spartan Phalanx.
As soon as the Athenians are defeated, the Spartan army will declare war with you and set out for Macedon. Rally your army (especially your Stone Throwers) back to the city just outside the city gates, (the one toward the farms) and keep your citizens working near the settlement outside the city. As long as they stay there, they will be safe. Train 3 more bronze cavalry and fill the rest of your pop cap with phalanx units. Rally them with the rest of your army.
Volcano positioning
Just before the Spartans show up at the city, use Aristotle to cause a Volcano in the location shown in the image and then send him back inside. The Volcano should cut their numbers down a bit. Wait for them to attack the towers outside the city. Bring your citizens in to keep the walls and main gate up. Once the Spartans are busy, send your army to attack them coming from fields while your stone throwers will attack them coming from the main gate. There will two Stone Throwers right beyond your line of sight, and two more just beyond them. Be sure to use your Bronze Cavalry.If you sustain heavy damage you can always withdraw into the city to heal and build up on infantry. Keep it up until the Spartans are destroyed, and you will have won Young Alexander.
Trivia[]
- Although players will encounter no enemy Priests, they could still build Universities. This is particularly useful for researching the "Pulley" technology which will increase their buildings' hit points. While the technology costs a few Iron, which the players cannot procure normally throughout the scenario, the only other possible expense for the resource is to build the Temple of Zeus, or to train and upgrade Phalanxes, which can already be upgraded to the maximum right after players have control of a coronated Alexander, and still be left with a few hundred after.
- Since Aristotle is treated as a Prophet, he will benefit from the "Temple" upgrade which will increase his speed.
- The Spartans' landing site in the far south-west on the map is initially covered by trees that will consequently be removed after both Athens and Thebes surrender; this is likely to prevent players from creating blockades that would prevent the Spartan army from landing.
- If players cast a Volcano on the narrow sections of the western road and block it as Sparta advances, the army will re-route through the Athenian city into the eastern road.
- Both Thebes and Athens will be friendly to Sparta and open their gates for their army even after they sued for peace with Macedon.
