AoW 2 manual?

[Crabby Appleton]

I am having trouble finding a manual for this game. I've never played it before and it is just different enough from games I have played (Heroes of Might and Magic, Fallen Enchantress, and Disciples) that I can't quite figure how how things really work. I'm pretty sure that a few minutes with a manual would clear things up. - I'm wondering why Steam doesn't have a link like they do for most games.
Anyway, I'd appreciate a link if anyone knows of one.

[5M0k1N]

not at home ATM but pretty sure it has a tutorial in game? game is not that complex if youre used to the genre. i started it recently as well and had no trouble with it :p

heres one ive found with google
http://cdn.highwinds.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/61510/manuals/AoW2_QuickGuide.pdf?t=1400685378

[Crabby Appleton]

Thanks. I guess that I am just getting lazy in my old age. It is SO much easier to read a manual than to figure things out as I go along.
Also, when I started up Age of Wonders II (just the standard AoW 2) I didn't see any Tutoriol. I did see one one AoW 1... but it really wasn't too good. - This should help.
Still, I don't see why Steam didn't include the Manuals. ... Oh well.

[joshuacolyn]

THe tutorial is the first chaprter of campaign. Not the "Fire intiate phase" but the blue cirlce with star shape. This game is very simliar to Heroes M&M 4 with critters being able to move with out a hero and scout out with a lvl 1 puke.

Just some tips for survival:

Build a wall first if there isnt one. Then houses to increase income until you are a city. Then 8 Ballista or 7 and Merlin in main town. 8 ballista (for in town defense, not offense) alone with no other troops can destroy huge armies. Even more when casting Cosmic spray or any other mass area of effect spell as they are bunched up by your doors. I am sure you have noticed how dumb the AI is while storming your towns. Reloading a battle wil change the results of your To Hit. Sometime the ballista just suck and miss a lot or do like 1 point of damage repeatedly. Reload and try again.

Raise you research up to full and research Channler #1, Merchant and Constructor frist. Unless you see Cosmic spray then learn that first. Your mana will be low for a while, so be careful when casting spells, but for most campaigns in the beginning there are plenty enough free resources around and not a lot of enemies coming soon.

If money gets low, have all cities produce mechanidse for the full 5 days and just grin and bear not building troops or buildings.

Heroes should try and learn Block, Heal, climb walls and casting lvl 5 as quickly as possible. Save before picking which you want. If you quit and reload the choices will be different. Sometimes it takes a long time reloading to find what you want. Sometimes it does not change at all becuase you have learned all there is to learn. Always try and have your hero do the killing blow.

Friendly wizards will trade their spells, viewing towers and mines/windmills relatively easily. Espeically for your artifacts that you may have no need for anymore. You just have to the right amount of mana to send.

Do not end a campaign until you learn all the spells and your first hero is at least lvl 15. Once a hero reaches lvl 20 they are almost unstoppable and can take out cities and huge armies by themself.