To achieve a Magic Victory, players will need to build three province improvements of the same affinity. These work similarly to the Beacons of Unity but also provide practical benefits by buffing spells of the same affinity.
After building all three improvements, players will need to cast a new spell and defend the improvements for 15 turns. However, this is easier said than done.
In this Age of Wonders 4 guide, I will explain how to win a Magic Victory and offer the best tips and tricks to help you defend your cities during the final showdown.
For a different playstyle, consider checking out our guide on how to win a Military Victory in Age of Wonders 4.
How to Win a Magic Victory in Age of Wonders 4
To win a Magic Victory in Age of Wonders 4, you will need to build a Seed, Root, and Heart Affinity Improvement. These are unlocked when you select a Tier III, IV, and V Tome respectively.
After unlocking the Tomes, you can build Affinity Province Improvements. You will need to build three of those and you can only build one on each city. Due to that, you will need at least three different cities to achieve a Magic Victory.
Then, you will be able to cast a Spell and perform the final ritual, which will start a 15-turn countdown. If you can defend the Affinity Province Improvements before the countdown ends, you will win the game.
However, all Empires will become hostile toward you and AI Partisans will spawn near the cities you’ll have to defend.
On the bright side, Mana and Casting Points of Spells will be reduced by 50% and you’ll have certain combat buffs based on the Affinity chosen.
With the core mechanics of a Magic Victory settled, let’s examine the best tips to unlock Tomes and Improvements fast and defend them from enemies.
Best Tips & Tricks to Win a Magic Victory
Here are the best tips and tricks to win a Magic Victory in Age of Wonders 4:
- Select the best Tomes in the game – With the right Tomes, you’ll be able to set up your strategy better. If you’re going to focus on Magic damage, the Tome of Amplification is your best choice.
- Place your Cities close together – Build the Affinity Improvements there so you can defend them with the same army.
- Prioritize the best Society Traits that increase your Knowledge income – Higher knowledge income means achieving the Magic Victory conditions faster and thus starting the countdown before the enemies have a chance to prepare.
- Have three separate armies of 2,000+ Power – With the cities close together, you’ll be able to defend against any attack.
The fact that you’re aiming for a Magic Victory does not mean that you shouldn’t focus on your army. On the contrary! The only way to ensure a Magic Victory in Age of Wonders 4 is by having multiple strong armies.
Wrapping up
To sum up this guide, the best way to win a Magic Victory in Age of Wonders 4 is by increasing your Knowledge income, building a strong army, and placing your cities close together so that you can defend them easily during the 15-turn countdown.
What do you think of Magic as a victory condition? Would you prefer a victory condition that doesn’t require combat like Science or Culture Victory in Civilization VI? Let us know in the comments below.
If you’re looking to improve your overall gameplay, check out our guide on how to farm Pantheon XP fast in Age of Wonders 4.
He has a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, which allows him to always come up with a fresh approach to solving in-game puzzles and challenges, but also to create content that’s to the point, clean and easy to follow.
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