Understanding Encampments
What are Encampments?
Goodgame Empire is a massively multiplayer online (MMO) strategy game where you, as a noble lord, strive to build a mighty castle, command a powerful army, and ultimately, rule the world. A core element of this gameplay, and a vital path to dominance, is the conquest of *encampments*. These outposts scattered across the game world are not merely obstacles; they are key to resource acquisition, army expansion, and overall strategic control. This guide will delve deep into the art of *encampment* domination, equipping you with the knowledge and tactics needed to become a true ruler in *Goodgame Empire*.
*Encampments*, in their essence, are fortified settlements controlled by various factions that exist throughout the game. These can range from simple bandit hideouts to more complex enemy forts, each presenting a unique challenge. Successfully conquering an *encampment* rewards you with vital resources, experience for your hero and troops, and even the opportunity to claim new buildings for your own castle.
Types of Encampments
Different types of *encampments* litter the landscape of *Goodgame Empire*. You will encounter Bandit Camps, which are common, relatively easy to conquer, and great for farming early game resources. You’ll also find stronger camps, some housing tougher enemies and requiring more strategic planning. Understanding the specific enemy forces within each type is crucial to success. Some camps might heavily feature melee units, while others rely on ranged attacks.
Location and Rewards
The locations of these *encampments* are clearly marked on the world map, easily accessible through navigation. However, remember that their strategic positions – often near resource-rich zones or potential expansion areas – make them targets for you and other players. Careful planning is essential.
The rewards offered by *encampments* can be extremely beneficial to your progress. Expect to gain valuable resources like food, wood, stone, and gold upon victory. You’ll also receive experience points, which are crucial for leveling up your hero and units, making them stronger. Some *encampments* may offer unique rewards like blueprints for castle upgrades or valuable equipment.
Enemies and Their Strengths
Understanding the specific enemies present in an *encampment* is critical. Each *encampment* will host different unit compositions, and some will be much more heavily defended than others. Careful scouting (discussed later) is essential to learn the number and type of enemy units present. Know the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses. Do they favor ranged attacks? Do they deploy heavy infantry? This knowledge allows you to tailor your army to exploit those weaknesses and achieve victory.
Preparing for the Attack
Before you even think about sending your troops to assault an *encampment*, several critical preparations are necessary.
Troop Composition
Your army’s composition is probably the most important factor in a successful *encampment* attack. A poorly composed army will suffer heavy losses, or worse, fail entirely.
The best troop types for *encampment* attacks depend somewhat on the specific type of camp and the enemy units present. However, a generally effective army will often include a mix of:
- Infantry: Provides a strong frontline, absorbing enemy attacks and protecting your ranged units.
- Archers: They can inflict damage from a distance, helping you destroy enemy units without having to engage in melee combat.
- Cavalry: Cavalry can be extremely useful for flanking or quickly taking out vulnerable ranged units.
Building a balanced army means finding the right ratio between these unit types. A common strategy for many *encampments* is to use a good mix of infantry and archers, supported by cavalry to handle enemy archers. Experimentation is key to finding the best combination for your specific situation.
Always consider troop levels. Higher-level troops are inherently stronger than lower-level troops. Prioritize upgrading your troops at the barracks, as this can provide a significant advantage in battle.
Research and Upgrades
Before launching any offensive, prioritize research and building upgrades at your castle. Research various technologies that boost your unit strengths, defensive capabilities, and resource production capabilities.
Upgrade your castle, particularly the walls, towers, and other defensive structures. This will make your castle more resistant to counterattacks should your opponents try to avenge their fallen encampments.
Resources and Supplies
Having enough resources before attacking is paramount. Make sure that your food and wood production is sufficient to ensure you can continue training troops, and that you have enough supplies to sustain them. Gold is also crucial, as it will be used to heal wounded units.
Use potions and buffs to give your troops an added advantage during the attack. You can buy them from the shop and they can improve your troops’ health, attack power, defense, and other factors.
Ensure that you have a healing process that allows your troops to recover quickly from an attack. Wounded troops are unavailable for use until they have recovered, so having an active hospital facility or speeding up the healing process can give you an edge over your opponents.
Equipment Considerations
Your hero’s equipment plays a crucial role in combat performance. Equip your hero with the best gear available, giving boosts to attack, defense, or health. Consider the hero’s skills and how they complement your chosen army composition.
The Attack Strategy
Having prepared the army and gathered the resources, it’s time to execute your plans.
Scouting the Encampment
Never, ever, attack an *encampment* blind. Before launching your assault, scout the *encampment*. Scouting allows you to gather crucial information about the enemy’s defenses and the unit composition. You can learn the strength of their defenders, their unit numbers, and what defensive structures they have. This information is critical for devising an effective attack strategy.
Planning the Attack
Once you have the intelligence gathered during scouting, plan your attack strategically. Choose the right time to attack. Consider when your troops are fully healed, or your buffs are active.
You may want to consider sending waves of troops. This tactic is especially useful if the *encampment* is strongly defended. Send the first wave as a distraction or to absorb the initial volley of enemy attacks. Then, when the enemy has weakened, send a second, stronger wave of troops to finish them off.
Decide on attack patterns. Will you attack from the front, or try to flank the enemy? If you are facing a strong enemy defense, it may be prudent to focus your efforts on eliminating the defenders one by one.
Attacking the Encampment
Sending the attack is simple. From the world map, select the target and select your troops from the drop down. Make sure you have a well balanced army and the equipment needed.
After you have launched your attack, monitor the battle results closely. The battle report will give detailed information on the damage inflicted, unit losses, and any surviving units. Analyze the battle report. Use it to identify strengths, weaknesses, and mistakes in your chosen strategy. The more you learn from your battles, the better you’ll become at *encampment* conquest.
Specific Strategies for Different Encampment Types
Different *encampment* types require different tactics. A Bandit Camp might be easily overwhelmed by infantry, while a well-defended Outpost might require a more balanced army with ranged support. Experiment with different troop compositions and attack patterns to find what works best against each type. Understand how enemy compositions change and how to counter them effectively.
Advanced Tactics and Tips
Beyond the basics, several advanced tactics can help you maximize your success in *Goodgame Empire* *encampment* attacks.
Using Alliances in Attacks
If possible, coordinate attacks with members of your alliance. This can provide extra firepower, support, and protection. Team attacks are also very effective at taking down highly-defended camps.
Timing Attacks Strategically
Time your attacks carefully. Consider when other players are active, and when your own buffs and troop recoveries are maximized. A well-timed attack can often catch your opponents off guard.
Utilizing Hero Skills and Abilities
Make use of your hero’s skills and abilities. Ensure your hero has the right skills for the job. Skills that boost attack, defense, or troop speed can provide an edge in battle. Experiment with different hero builds to find the best configurations.
Optimizing Resource Management
Make sure your resource production is constantly running and that you are not wasting valuable resources.
Regularly Checking and Updating Your Strategy
The game is always evolving, with changes to unit stats, new camp types, and new challenges. Constantly re-evaluate your strategies, keeping your strategies up to date with the current game dynamics.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many players stumble on certain key areas when conquering *encampments*. Here are some of the most common mistakes:
Sending Insufficient Troops
Underestimating the enemy’s strength is a common error. Always scout first, and then send the appropriate force required to succeed.
Underestimating the Enemy Defenses
Even if the enemy units seem weak, strong fortifications can significantly affect the outcome of a battle.
Neglecting Troop Upgrades
Ignoring troop upgrades is a surefire way to fall behind. Always work on upgrading your troops.
Not Scouting Before Attacking
This is the single biggest mistake you can make. Scouting is essential for any successful attack.
Poor Resource Management
Running out of resources mid-attack can lead to disaster. Plan your resources effectively.
Conclusion
Conquering *encampments* is a fundamental part of excelling in *Goodgame Empire*. By understanding the different types, preparing your troops effectively, using solid attack strategies, and learning from your mistakes, you can significantly increase your chances of victory. Remember that practice makes perfect. Experiment with different troop compositions and tactics until you find what works best for you.
Apply the knowledge you’ve gained here. With careful planning, strategic execution, and constant learning, you’ll be well on your way to dominating the *Goodgame Empire* world. Go forth and conquer those *encampments*!
