Alright, let’s talk about this Age of Wonders game, the one where you’re supposed to be a big shot ruler or somethin’. My grandkids, they play it all the time, and I try to keep up, you know? They keep yellin’ about tradin’ stuff, and I’m always askin’, “Do you lose the stuff you trade or what?” It’s confusin’ as heck.
So, from what I gather, it ain’t like when you trade eggs with your neighbor and you don’t got them eggs no more. This game, it’s different. Seems like if you got extra shiny rocks, like that Arcanium Ore stuff or them Rainbow Clovers, you can trade ’em to other folks. But you don’t lose ’em! It’s like magic, I tell ya. You give it away, but you still got it. Kinda like how my blessin’s work, you know? I give ’em out, but I still got plenty left.
Now, they talk about Magic Materials. Sounds fancy, right? There’s nine of ’em, they say. Nine! And you can get ’em by findin’ ’em on the map, or by tradin’ for ’em. If some other ruler, whether it’s a real person playin’ or just the computer, has some of that magic stuff, you can trade with ’em. And it seems like this tradin’ thing, it goes on forever. Like, once you make a deal, it sticks. Unless someone gets greedy and breaks the deal, I guess. That happens even in real life, don’t it?
- Arcanium Ore
- Rainbow Clovers
They also talk about gold. Seems like you can trade that too. Gold is always important, ain’t it? You need gold to buy stuff, to build stuff, to make your kingdom all fancy and powerful. And tradin’ gold is probably a good way to get what you need. Like, if you got too much gold and not enough shiny rocks, you trade, simple as that.
And then there’s these Wonders. Big, important places on the map. They say if there’s a gold mine or some special stuff next to a Wonder, you can grab both. It’s like hittin’ the jackpot, you know? You get the Wonder and all the goodies around it. Makes sense to me. Why wouldn’t you want it all? Greed is good, sometimes, especially in this game, I reckon.
My grandkids, they’re always fightin’ over these Wonders. Seems like everyone wants ’em. And I get it, you wanna be the biggest and the best. That’s what the game’s about, ain’t it? Building your kingdom, makin’ it strong, and stompin’ on the other guys. It’s like that time when we had that big chicken contest at the county fair. Everyone wanted that blue ribbon. Me too. But I didn’t get it. Those darned judges, they didn’t know a good chicken when they saw one.
Anyways, back to this tradin’ thing. It seems like tradin’ is a big part of the game. You gotta be smart about it, though. You can’t just give away all your good stuff for nothin’. You gotta make sure you’re gettin’ somethin’ good in return. And you gotta watch out for them other rulers. They’re sneaky, they are. They’ll try to take advantage of you if you let ’em. Just like that ol’ Mr. Johnson down at the market, always tryin’ to short-change ya.
So, to answer that question, “Do you lose the stuff you trade?” The answer seems to be no, not when it comes to them special resources. You can trade ’em away and still keep ’em. Which is a good thing, I think. Means you can be generous and still be powerful. But you gotta be careful, you gotta be smart, and you gotta know what you’re doin’. Otherwise, them other rulers, they gonna eat you alive. And nobody wants that, do they?
This game, it’s complicated. Too many buttons and too much stuff goin’ on. But the grandkids love it, so I try to understand it. And hey, at least I know a little somethin’ about tradin’ now. Even if it ain’t like tradin’ eggs with your neighbor. It’s all magic and make-believe, but that’s alright. Sometimes, it’s nice to escape reality for a little while, you know? Especially when reality is full of weeds and chickens that need feedin’.
Age of Wonders 4, they call it. A game about magic, war, and tradin’. And as far as I can tell, tradin’ is good. You can get what you need without losin’ what you already got. And that’s a good deal in any world, real or virtual. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go check on them chickens. They’re probably squawkin’ up a storm, wantin’ their dinner.
Tags: Age of Wonders 4, Trade, Resources, Magic Materials, Gold, Wonders, Strategy, Gameplay