The Final Frontier

The Final Frontier

Drakenau: The journey ends with the last battle at the dry and vast badlands around the Volcano, fighting on your own against your three most dangerous enemies. According to a myth, there is a Dragon sleeping inside the red lava of the Volcano. If that’s true, you might find a strong ally to help you there.
With Dracorian recovering from his injuries, Princess Zoé must stand alone to face King Konradin’s terrible wrath. Three formidable opponents have assembled in the badlands of Drakenau, and they stand ready for battle. The fight ahead is sure to be a difficult one, but Princess Zoé has learned much from her journey. One way or another, Tandria’s fate is about to be decided.

Enemy Forces

King Konradin,Field Marshal Ludowig and King Balderus

Konradin, Ludowig, and Balderus each start with one General and four soldiers.

Starting Resources

Wood  15    Plank  50    Stone  30    Coal  20    Iron Ore  15    Iron  10    Gold  10    Coin  15    Grain  15    Flour  5    Bread  10    Fish  20    Animal  10    Meat  20    Horse  3    Water  10    Beer  10    Paper  5    Book  3    Wool  5    Cloth  10    Garment  10    Jewelry  3    Weapon  3 Wheel  3    Tool  25

Established Production Chains

None

Overview

Friendly Sectors: 1
Enemy Sectors: 3
Neutral Sectors: 24

Event Location: Field of Mandrakes

David Versus Goliath

The Giant has grown a little megalomaniac over the years, believing that no one can stop him. Show him who’s the better fighter—defeat him and he will leave you his lunch.
Base Army: Pikeman  5, Musketeer  2
Reward: Treasure

Kingsized Wool

The Giant wants to make himself something new to wear and therefore needs a lot of Wool. Let your traders deliver some of your own supplies and you’ll earn a Victory Point.
Base Cost: 60
Reward: Victory Point

Event Location: Field of Mandrakes (continued)

A Huge Favor

The Giant needs some helping hands to take care of his mandrakes. Send him your clerics as gardeners, and he will reward you by causing a devastating Earthquake in your most successful enemy’s territory.
Base Cost: Novice  5, Brother  2, Father  1
Reward: Earthquake

Event Location: Dark Fortress

In the Name of Honor

The Fallen Knight is always up for a good fight. If you defeat him in an honorable battle, he will be a good sport and prove his respect for you by attacking your most successful enemy.
Event Location: Dark Fortress (continued)
Base Army: Pikeman  4, Musketeer  3, Cavalier  2
Reward: Marauder Army

A Call for Arms

The Fallen Knight wants to expand his exquisite collection of arms and armor. Deliver a supply of Weapons to the Dark Fortress and you will be rewarded with a Victory Point.
Base Cost: Weapon  30
Reward: Victory Point

A Broken Man

Once a knight in shining armor, the Fallen Knight was broken by the horrors of war. Send your clerics to offer him forgiveness, and he will put his most experienced General under your command.
Base Cost: Novice  3, Brother  2, Father  1
Reward: General

Event Location: Volcano

Awake the Dragon

Many brave soldiers have tried to defeat the Dragon only to fail miserably. Vanquish the fiery beast, and it will reward you by causing a devastating Earthquake in your most successful enemy’s territory.
Base Army: Pikeman  4, Musketeer  3, Cavalier  2
Reward: Earthquake

Such a Big Magpie

Like the rest of its kind, the Dragon has a weakness for gold, gems, and all things shiny. Deliver some fine Jewelry to the Dragon’s nest, and it will share its meaty meal with you.
Base Cost: Jewelry  5
Reward: Treasure

I Scratch Your Back, You Scratch Mine

The Dragon’s back has been itching for centuries, driving the beast mad. Send him some of your clerics as backscratchers, and you’ll be rewarded with a Victory Point.
Base Cost: Novice  6, Brother  3, Father  2
Reward: Victory Point
This map must be won by claiming and holding seven of sixteen available Victory Points.

Fountain of Knowledge
Emperor
Sun King
Metropolis
Field Marshal
Generalissimo
Banker
Special Sector
Most Trading Outposts
Special Trading Outpost (static)
Special Trading Outpost (static)
Abbey (static)
Genius (static)
Field of Mandrakes (static)
Dark Fortress (static)
Volcano (static)

With three allied opponents, this map requires a more focused strategy than the rest of the campaign. Each kingdom begins with enough resources to construct a branch building, and each of your three opponents chooses a different expansion method.
King Konradin invests in an Export Office, and starts sending traders to the Marketplace to claim Trading Outposts.
King Balderus constructs a Stronghold, and quickly begins conquering neutral sectors.

Please click to enlarge

Field Marshal Ludowig builds a Church to gain an early advantage through Technology.
The available Victory Points allow for each of these strategies to be put to good use, and required resources for each method can be found just outside each town sector.
Choosing a specific branch building is generally a matter of preference. Warfare, Technology, and Trade all have distinct advantages on this map.
The static Victory Points associated with Technology are extremely valuable when facing allied opposition. Soldier production is comparatively slow early in the map, but the advantages of Technology research lead to an extremely efficient economy and powerful armies.
The flexible economy provided by Trade is all the more useful when dealing with multiple opponents. As with Technology, the static Victory Points available are a great help.
Warfare is best used to eliminate one or more opponents early in the map. Because Konradin and Ludowig invest initial resources into the Export Office and Church, they are unable to match the Stronghold’s soldier production. A rapid expansion toward either of these opponents can help level the playing field before their economies have a chance to develop.
No matter which branch building you choose at the start of play, remember that speed is of the utmost importance. Construction, trades, research, and army reinforcements must all be handled simultaneously. Use the Logistics panel to issue orders quickly, and prioritize tasks when time allows.
This map offers three Event Locations, each offering a Victory Point that favors a different branch building. Of the three Event Locations, the Field of Mandrakes is the closest to your town sector.
Because it only requires Wool production, the Field of Mandrakes Victory Point is an excellent investment. A Marketplace is fairly close to your town sector, so you can secure access to it soon after play begins. Because it also supports additional branch buildings, Trade is a particularly effective strategy for this map.
This walkthrough focuses on Trade and Warfare. The strategy emphasizes the Special Trading Outpost Victory Points and relies on specialized Generals for defense.

Establish an Export Office

The Export Office must be constructed as quickly as possible. Place two Medium Prestige Objects in front of your Castle, and unlock the Stronghold, Export Office, and Church option from the Prestige Tree.
Place an Export Office directly next to your Storehouse to reduce construction time.
Hire two Pikemen from at the Tavern, and send your General to capture the Iron Mines northeast of your town sector.

Use the Trade menu to select the closest Trading Outpost to offer Stone.

Cloth  3 = Stone  6
Konradin usually heads for this outpost as soon as play begins. Use the Garments in your Storehouse to train five Hawkers as soon as the Export Office has been constructed.
Place new Residences and establish production in your town sector:
Noble Residence  2
Butcher’s  3
Tailor  1
Residence  1
Weaving Mill  1
Lodge  2
Hunter  3
Woodcutter  2
Sawmill  1
Mountain Shelter  1
Quarry  3

All Hunters should be on a single Lodge near your town sector’s Hunting Grounds.
Place a Fancy Food boost on your Hunters and all Noble Residence work yards as soon as possible.

Use the Conquest Reward from your new sector to collect additional Tools and Meat. Use the Fertile Ground to establish Wool production, and send your General to capture the Gold and Coal Mines north of your town sector.

The next battle will be a close one, so make sure your army has recovered lost health before attacking.
Wool is needed for Garment production, but it also serves as your main source of Coin early in the map. Take full advantage of your Fertile Ground when placing Shepherds.
Farm  1
Shepherd  3
Well  3
Storehouse  1

Small amounts of Wool and Cloth are provided at the start of play, so Garment production should begin as soon as the Tailor is constructed.

Train Hawkers as Garments become available to establish the next Trading Outpost.
Wool  6 = Coin  4
Use Wool trades to provide Coin for new soldiers. Garments should be used to produce new traders whenever possible, so avoid trading them for now.
While your General is busy capturing the Gold and Coal Mines, construct at least one new Residence in your town sector.

Construct a Lodge with a Fisher near your Fishing Grounds. Place additional Fishers as Tools become available.

Once your General has captured the Iron Mines, lay the foundation for future production chains:
Noble Residence  2
Constructor  1
Storehouse  1
This area will be used to produce Weapons and Jewelry, so keep at least one work slot available on each Noble Residence.
Current supplies cannot support construction demands, so use this sector to expand Plank production:
Lodge  1
Woodcutter  2
Sawmill  1
Secure the Marketplace

Assign new Woodcutters to clear the areas outside your Gold and Coal Mines.
Continue making trades to hire new soldiers at the tavern, and capture the sector to the north of your mines.
Conquering this sector secures your access to the Marketplace, and forces King Konradin to use the Marketplace across the map. The surrounding neutral sectors act as temporary defenses, but fortify this sector as soon as Plank supplies are adequate. Make sure the Marketplace is secure, and send your General to capture the Special Sector.

Place Prestige Extensions to unlock the Export Office Upgrade from the Prestige Tree. Unlock additional options as needed, and trade Cloth at the Marketplace to replace used Stone.
Upgrade your Export Office, and begin placing Mountain Shelters near your Iron, Gold and Coal Mines.

Begin placing work yards near the appropriate mines:
Iron Miner  2
Gold Miner  2
Coal Miner  2

Construct two Residences near your Gold and Coal Mines.
Once you’ve upgraded the Export Office, use the Jewelry provided at the start of play to train three Salesmen. Send new traders to secure additional Trading Outposts.

Upgrade your Residences as resources allow, and continue trading Wool for Coin.

Place a new Mountain Shelter with an Iron Smelter in the sector with your Gold and Coal Mines. Use existing Residences and Noble Residences to place new work yards:
Blacksmith  1
Goldsmith  1
Toolmaker  1
Wheelwright  1

Place a Fancy Food boost on these work yards, and set them to “On Demand.”

With Tool production established expand all mining operations. Add new Mountain Shelters near your Iron, Gold, and Coal Mines. Place new work yards until you have at least:
Iron Miner  6
Gold Miner  6
Coal Miner  6
Iron Smelter  3

Assign three Geologists to each mine to continue Stone production.

Place at least one Iron Smelter “On Demand” to preserve Coal supplies.
Produce traders and deploy them to new Trading Outposts as they become available.

Fortify Your Sectors

Claiming the Special Trading Outpost Victory Points is a costly endeavor, so make sure to invest necessary resources in soldier production and fortifications.
The Special Sector should be fortified immediately after it’s in your possession. As your General begins his attack on the Special Sector, place a Constructor and Storehouse at the edge of your territory.
Upgrade the fortifications of any vulnerable sector. The Marketplace and Special Sector are crucial, but Konradin, Balderus, and Ludowig should all be fairly close to your territory.
With your fortifications fully upgraded, it takes some time before your opponents can mount an effective assault. Place a Stronghold in your town sector, and continue optimizing your economy as required resources become available.

The Special Sector offers a wide variety of useful resources. Make use of this sector to support any struggling production chains.
Upgrade your Stronghold as soon as possible. Hire a new General from the Tavern, and transfer all existing soldiers to his command.

Once soldiers are produced at the Stronghold, Coin demand should be relatively low. Begin stockpiling Wool, and accept the Event Location Quest “Kingsized Wool” at the Field of Mandrakes.
Consider building additional Shepherds if Fertile Ground is available, but allow Cloth and Garment production to continue.

If the Banker Victory Point is in your possession, invest Coin in resources, Generals, or extra soldiers to reduce the Wool required to complete the Quest.
Resume trading at the Marketplace after claiming the Field of Mandrakes Victory Point.

Claim the Special Trading Outposts

Claiming the Special Trading Outpost Victory Points should be your main focus in the Trade menu, but be sure to invest in additional Trading Outposts. Horses, Iron, Meat, and other valuable resources should be available at all times. Trading Outposts that provide Prestige or Prestige Rewards should also be considered.
King Konradin’s progress on the Trade menu should be fairly slow, allowing you plenty of time to establish a wide variety of trade options.

Begin your second Export Office upgrade as soon as Horses are available through Trade or from a Stable.
Begin training Merchants at the Export Office, and make your way to the closest Special Trading Outpost.

Finish upgrading all streets, Storehouses, and Residences.

As long as Fancy Food is available to all supporting production chains, Hawkers, Salesmen, and Merchants should all be available at a fairly consistent rate. Establish new Trading Outposts quickly, but be sure to keep extra Hawkers available to continue Marketplace trades.
Choose the most direct path to the remaining Special Trading Outpost, and focus on other available Victory Points.

Claim Victory Points

While your traders make their way across the Trade menu, check the status of available Victory Points.
Reinforce your armies with Pikemen, Musketeers, and Standard Bearers, and look for opportunities to conquer new sectors.
By the time your Traders have claimed the second Special Trading Outpost Victory Point, your opponents should start gathering large armies. Use all standard methods to make a push for remaining Victory Points.
The Metropolis and Field Marshal Victory Points both require ample living space, so place and upgrade new Residences as needed.

Place new work yards and Storehouses anywhere in your territory, and bolster your armies with Pikemen and Musketeers.
Use large Prestige Extensions to claim the Sun King Victory Point.
Continue Wool trades to secure the Banker Victory Point, even during soldier production.

As new workers and soldiers arrive, the Metropolis and Field Marshal Victory Points should trigger the Countdown to Victory. At this point, simply use your massive army to repel hostile forces, and continue placing Prestige Objects to hold the Sun King Victory point throughout the Countdown.

This gives you a total of eight Victory Points, so the Countdown will continue even if your opponents should claim one.

If for any reason you have not been able to claim both Special Trading Outposts, push on to the Emperor Victory Point or complete remaining Event Location Quests. Simply continue producing soldiers, and use one General to attack enemy sectors across the map while your main forces protect your territory.
Keep in mind that Field Marshal Ludowig will not typically research beyond basic Technologies, so constructing a Church may still allow you to claim the Genius Victory Point.

Claim and hold any seven Victory Points to win the map and complete the campaign.

Epilogue

With Princess Zoé’s triumph in Drakenau, the Tandria is finally at peace. King Konradin’s schemes have failed, and Balderus has been driven from the land.
For the first time in ages, the people’s crown has a worthy successor. With a selfless and compassionate queen on its throne, Tandria seems to have a bright future indeed.