EVONY THE KINGS RETURN
A BEGINNERS GUIDE
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Dive into our beginner's guide to Evony: The King's Return.
Evony: The King's Return is one of the best mobile strategy games, and with my extensive guides, you should be able to to take your game to the next level, with this beginner's guide to the game.
If you love mobile war strategy games, then here at The Empire Build Academy (TEBA), I've got you covered. From attack to defence, to the best equipment, and everything in between, I hope to provide you with everything you need to ace the strategy mobile games genre!
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BEGINNER FOCUS
Beginners Guide to Evony: Part One - Getting Started
Evony Beginner's Guide Part 1: Kickstart Your Empire with This 9-Step Process
Welcome to the ultimate Evony Beginner's Guide Part 1 from Empire Build Academy! If you’re new to Evony: The King’s Return, this guide will walk you through the early stages of building your empire, introduce you to the game’s mechanics, and set you up for success with a structured 9-step process to dominate the battlefield. Whether you're constructing buildings, recruiting generals, or preparing for battles, this guide is your go-to resource for mastering Evony as a beginner.
Why Follow This Guide?
Evony is a complex MMORTS game that combines city-building, strategy, and combat in a medieval-inspired world. For new players, the game can feel overwhelming with its myriad of features, from resource management to alliance strategies. That’s why I’m introducing a 9-step process to streamline your journey:
Beginner’s Guide
Construction Guide
Research Guide
Troops Guide
Heroes Guide
Defense Guide
Attack Guide
Events Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
This structure will be applied to all games covered on Empire Build Academy, with accompanying videos and blog posts on our website, empirebuildacademy.com. Each step will have a dedicated video and blog, ensuring you have both visual and written resources to excel in Evony and other strategy games.
Getting Started: Your First Steps in Evony
When you first log into Evony, you’re greeted with a fresh settlement and a power level of just 14,000—a humble beginning! The game guides you through initial tasks via the Adventure Stages, which serve as a tutorial to familiarize you with the mechanics. Let’s break down the key steps from the video:
1. Completing Adventure Stages
The bottom-left corner of the screen displays your first task: Complete Adventure Stage 1. These stages involve simple battles where you navigate your monarch through a path, avoiding spikes and collecting buffs (blue orbs are good, red ones are bad). These mini-games are easy at the start and help you earn rewards like keys to unlock powerful generals, such as Cleopatra.
Pro Tip: Focus on completing these stages as they pop up. They provide early resources, experience, and talent points for your monarch.
2. Upgrading Your Keep
Your Keep (or castle) is the heart of your settlement. Upgrading it unlocks new buildings and features. Early on, you can use the free upgrade option to bypass timers. For example, upgrading the Keep to Level 3 is a key task that introduces you to your first general, Miyamoto Musashi.
General Tip: Always check the requirements for upgrades (e.g., upgrading walls or farms) to avoid bottlenecks.
3. Recruiting Your First General: Miyamoto Musashi
Generals are critical to your success in Evony. Miyamoto Musashi is your first general, offering buffs like +35% ground troop defense when leading an army. Generals have two roles:
Main City: Buffs for PvP or monster battles.
Adventure: Buffs for mini-games like the Adventure Stages.
You can upgrade generals using experience points (EXP) and enhance their abilities with star levels or specialties. For now, focus on leveling up Miyamoto to match your monarch’s level.
4. Making Your First Purchase: Sappho
The game offers an early purchase option for the Epic Historic General Sappho at 99p (or ~76p in the UK). This is a fantastic deal, providing:
25 minutes off construction time per build.
10% march speed and 10% construction speed buffs.
Why Buy Sappho? The time reduction on construction adds up quickly, giving you a significant advantage in the early game. After purchasing, use her token in your inventory to activate her and include her in battles.
5. Building Your First Barracks and Farm
Next, you’ll build a Level 1 Barracks to start training troops. The barracks unlock Warriors (Tier 1) at Level 1 and Conscripts (Tier 2) at Level 6. Similarly, a Level 1 Farm boosts resource production. Use the “i” button on buildings to check their benefits and unlock requirements.
Pro Tip: Always use the free build option when available to save resources and speed up progress.
6. Joining an Alliance
Alliances are a game-changer in Evony. They provide benefits like faster research and construction through the Help feature. To find a top alliance:
Go to Rankings > Alliance Power Ranking.
Look for strong alliances like SH, RBW, or ARG.
Message the leader (e.g., “Active, experienced player looking for fast growth in a top alliance. Can I join?”).
Even if your power is low (e.g., 89,000), an active player with a serious name (avoid default names like “Monarch123”) can appeal to alliance leaders. Joining a top alliance connects you with high-powered players like Dracula or Darius, who hunt high-level monsters, boosting your rewards.
7. Training Troops and Researching
Tasks like training 30 Tier 1 ground troops and researching in the Academy (e.g., Builder 1 to unlock two additional building slots) are crucial. Use 5-minute speed-ups to complete these tasks quickly without wasting premium resources.
Research Tip: Prioritize the Advancement tab in the Academy to boost construction and resource production early on.
8. Unlocking Theodora and Other Rewards
By making the 99p purchase for Sappho, you also unlock Theodora, another powerful general, through the 7-day sign-in event. Check the Event Center for additional rewards and events like Dragon Battle or Ranger Knight Order, which we’ll cover in the Events Guide.
9. Setting Up for Part 2
This guide covers the basics up to Chapter 4 or 5 of the adventure tasks. In Part 2, we’ll dive deeper into buildings, generals, and early events, using my main account to showcase advanced features. Stay tuned for:
Detailed building breakdowns.
General enhancements and equipment.
Early event strategies.
Why This 9-Step Process Matters
The 9-step process ensures you progress efficiently in Evony by covering all critical aspects of gameplay. Each step builds on the last, from laying the foundation in this Beginner’s Guide to mastering advanced strategies in the Attack and Events Guides. This structure will also be applied to other games on Empire Build Academy, with videos and blog posts synced on empirebuildacademy.com.
Additional Tips for New Players
Change Your Monarch Name: Avoid generic names to show you’re serious. For example, I used “Favian at TBA.”
Maximize Talent Points: Invest in resource production or construction duration early on for faster growth.
Check the Event Center: Claim daily rewards and participate in beginner-friendly events.
Engage with the Community: Suggest games or ideas for the channel in the comments or on our upcoming forum at empirebuildacademy.com.
What’s Next?
In Evony Beginner’s Guide Part 2, we’ll explore advanced building strategies, general upgrades, and early event participation. Subscribe to Empire Build Academy on YouTube and visit empirebuildacademy.com for the full 9-step guide series, including blog versions of each video. If you have game suggestions or questions, drop them in the comments—we’re building a community to help you dominate Evony and beyond!
Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you in Part 2!
Evony Beginners Guide Part Two - Blog Post
Evony Beginner’s Guide Part 2: Mastering Monarch Settings, Events, and More
Welcome to the second installment of our Evony Beginner’s Guide at Empire Build Academy! In this comprehensive guide, we dive deeper into the essentials of Evony, focusing on monarch settings, event participation, and key strategies to boost your gameplay. Whether you're new to this strategy game or looking to refine your skills, this guide will help you navigate the game’s interface, optimize your monarch buffs, and make the most of in-game events. Let’s jump in!
A Structured Approach to Mastering Evony
At Empire Build Academy, we’ve developed a 9-step process to help you excel in Evony. This beginner’s guide is part of a series that includes:
Beginner’s Guide (Part 1 & 2)
Construction Guide
Research Guide
Troops Guide
Heroes Guide
Defense Guide
Attack Guide
Events Guide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
All these guides will be neatly organized on our YouTube channel and the Empire Build Academy website, ensuring you have easy access to all the resources you need to dominate Evony.
Navigating Your Monarch Settings
Your monarch is the heart of your Evony empire, and optimizing their settings is crucial for success. Let’s break down the key features you’ll find in the monarch interface, accessible by clicking your icon in the top left corner of the screen.
Monarch Equipment and Buffs
Your monarch’s equipment determines the buffs applied to your troops. For example, equipping a Mountain Dagger Level Ace can boost ground troop attack by 86%. You can customize setups for different scenarios, such as:
Mounted Defense for server vs. server battles
Monster Hunting for tackling in-game monsters
Attacking for offensive strategies
Pro Tip: Always double-check your equipment setup. Even advanced players can accidentally apply the wrong buffs (e.g., ground buffs instead of mounted). To fix this:
Click the monarch icon.
Select the equipment setup you want to edit.
Adjust the gear to match your desired buffs.
Save the combination by clicking the armor icon and choosing an existing or new preset.
This flexibility allows you to switch between setups depending on your activity, though quick switches during fast-paced events like Battlefield or Server vs. Server can be challenging. Stick to a primary setup (e.g., mounted defense) for consistency.
Monarch Details and Stats
The Details tab provides a comprehensive overview of your account’s stats, including:
Total Power: Your overall strength.
Monarch Power: Your monarch’s contribution to power.
Construction Power: Progress in building upgrades.
Technology: Research advancements.
Subordinate Cities: Additional cities under your control (covered in detail in our upcoming Construction Guide).
Battle Stats: Buffs like mounted troop HP (e.g., 643%) and defense (e.g., 910%).
Resources: Production rates and storage capacity.
Administration: Construction and research speed boosts.
Tip: Keep the Details tab open to monitor your progress or hide it to keep your stats private.
Talent Tree and Fame
The Talent Tree allows you to allocate points to enhance specific aspects of your gameplay, such as construction speed or attack power. You can switch between two talent setups to adapt to different goals (e.g., building vs. battling).
The Fame section offers rewards for completing tasks. For example, upgrading your keep to level 40 unlocks prizes like resources and speed-ups. Check your fame progress regularly to claim rewards and track milestones (e.g., reaching 2,400 fame points for additional bonuses).
Emblems and Gear
You can display up to four emblems in your monarch interface to showcase achievements or buffs. These are visible to other players when they view your profile.
The Gear tab shows your research speed and equipment levels. Green arrows indicate items ready for an upgrade (e.g., from level 8 to 9). Regularly check this tab to ensure your gear is up to date.
Monarch XP and Stamina
Your monarch’s level (e.g., level 40) determines access to advanced features. Gaining XP at higher levels is slow, so focus on consistent progress through daily tasks and events. Stamina, used for various activities, can also be managed in this interface.
Managing Resources Effectively
Resources are the backbone of your empire. In the Resources tab, you’ll see:
Current Stock: Food, wood, stone, and ore.
Safe Resource Capacity: The maximum you can store without risking loss.
Gathering Warehouse Capacity: Limits for gathered resources.
Key Tip: Food above your safe capacity (e.g., 566 million) is consumed by troops, so avoid opening food packs unless needed. Save resources like diamonds (e.g., 7 million) for strategic purchases, such as event-related packs.
Maximizing Event Participation
The Event Center is your go-to for earning rewards and boosting progress. Here’s why it’s critical:
Dragon Battle, Ranger Night Order, and Grace of Star Trail offer valuable rewards like speed-ups, resources, and epic historic generals.
Event Tasks: Complete tasks (e.g., gaining 2 million spiritual beast XP) to earn points and unlock tiers.
Starlet Shop: Use event points to purchase items, but note that some rewards (e.g., star trail coins) don’t carry over after the event ends. Check the Info (i) button for details.
Example: In the Grace of Star Trail event, aim for 20–50 points to unlock an epic historic general. Always claim cumulative rewards before the event ends to avoid missing out.
Pro Tip: Look for red dots in the Event Center, but don’t rely on them entirely—some rewards (e.g., 90x 8-hour speed-ups in alliance score rewards) may not trigger a notification. Check all tabs regularly.
Top Event Packs to Consider
If you’re willing to spend, the Solar Spiritual Beast pack ($14.99 with six friend helps, down from $19.99) is a great value. It includes:
Resources (e.g., crimson crystals, blood of Ares)
Speed-ups
An epic historic general (premium)
For budget players, the Sulis Wishing Pool ($9.99–$14.99) offers a chance to win high-value rewards like 4,800-point prizes. Use a 3x coupon with these packs to maximize gem rewards.
Exploring Additional Features
Here’s a quick overview of other key interface elements:
Items Tab: View and manage your inventory, including common and rare items.
Mail: Check PvP reports, announcements, and alliance/kingdom messages.
Alliance Tab: Join rallies, collect daily gifts, and view alliance rankings. The Alliance Treasure and Gift sections provide small but cumulative rewards.
Chat: Access server, world, alliance, and private chats for coordination and updates.
Midsummer Carnival and Voyage to Civilizations: Complete tasks for coins and buffs, stackable for extra rewards.
Subordinate Cities and Buildings: What’s Next?
Subordinate cities and buildings are complex topics we’ll cover in-depth in our Construction Guide. These elements can take significant time to explain, so we’re considering two formats:
A single, comprehensive video covering all buildings.
A Learning in Minutes series with short videos on individual buildings.
We’d love your feedback! Comment below: Would you prefer one long video, a series of short videos, or 2–3 videos covering 10 buildings each?
Final Tips for Evony Beginners
Prioritize Events: Focus on high-value events like Ranger Night Order and Grace of Star Trail for rewards.
Optimize Monarch Settings: Regularly update equipment and talent trees to match your goals.
Check the Event Center: Don’t miss hidden rewards, even without red dot notifications.
Spend Smart: If investing, prioritize packs like Solar Spiritual Beast or Sulis Wishing Pool with 3x coupons.
Stay Engaged: Collect daily gifts, alliance rewards, and event prizes to build your empire steadily.
Join the Empire Build Academy Community
Visit empirebuildacademy.com for the full transcript of this guide, embedded video, and more Evony resources. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the complete 9-step series and join our community to share tips and strategies. Have questions or suggestions? Drop them in the comments below!
Thank you for reading, and we’ll see you in the Construction Guide for more Evony mastery tips! Happy empire-building!
Troops and Battles
Next up come your loyal followers. No, not the city's civilians, but your troops! Ranging from archers and infantry to siege engines, these units form the backbone of your military force. Isn’t it fascinating how these tiny pixels can bring such power and dominance?
Alliances
But what’s a king without allies, right? Joining an alliance opens up avenues for player cooperation, in the form of strategy planning, resource sharing, and mutual defence. Aren't alliances the best way to make the journey more thrilling and unified?
Tips and Tricks
Learning the ropes of a strategically dense game such as Evony could be daunting. So, here are a few tips and tricks to ensure you get ahead of the curve without biting off more than you can chew. Using shortcuts for your ease or timing your attacks – sounds tricky? Let’s simplify!
Frequent Logins: Make a habit to check your kingdom daily. Keeping tabs on your progress, resource production, and updating buildings can be a game-changer. Remember, consistency is key!
Quests: As a beginner, aim to complete quests for free rewards like speed-ups, resources, and buffs.
Scouting: Always scout before you attack! Gathering enemy information is crucial to ensure victory.
Conclusion
Embarking on your journey in the wildest landscapes of Evony: The Kings Return seems less daunting now, doesn't it? This beginner's guide is intended to provide a stepping stone into the immersive world of Evony- a game of strategy, alliances, and Kings' returns! So, are you ready to climb the ladder of dominion and etch your name in the annals of Evony?
TROOPS - A BEGINNERS GUIDE
Troops are the backbone of combat. They are recruited in the Barracks from a city's idle population.
There are four types of troops in Evony TKR: Mounted troops, Ground troops, Ranged troops, and Siege machine.
This article explains the characteristics of each, the differences, and how to use them differently.
I think this will be somewhat useful not only for beginners but also for intermediate players, as it will largely lead to an explanation of PvP battle mechanics.
If you are new to the game, you can think of them as follows
Mounted = for PvE (Hunting Monsters)
Other = for PvP (Player vs Player)
Therefore, there is no need to increase the number of troops other than mounted troops until you start doing PvP in earnest.
Ranged and Ground troops can be used to hunt monsters, but they require more than twice as many troops as Mounted troops, so they are not recommended in the early stages of the game.
The same is true for Siege machines, but they are very fragile and should not be used to hunt monsters unless you have enough troops ready to “ensure ZERO wounds”.
However, it is not a bad idea to increase the number of siege machines for resource gathering, as they can carry more than other types of troops.
To elaborate a bit more, here’s what I mean
Mounted = PvE (Hunting Monsters), PvP (vs Ground)
Ground = PvP (vs Ranged), Resource gathering
Ranged = PvP (vs Mounted)
Siege = PvP (vs Ranged), Resource gathering
As you can see, in PvP, there is a rock-paper-scissors relationship between each type of troops.
The basics are as follows. (Note: In case of equal tier, buffs and debuffs)
Mounted is strong against Ground.
Ground is strong against Ranged.
Ranged is strong against Mounted.
Siege machines are a little bit special in that they tend to be strong against ranged and weak against mounted and ground. (However, what I find even more unique is that they are “extremely” strong against troops of lower tier than themselves. I’ll explain more later.)
In addition, some of the monsters have a pre-battle screen that lists the type of troops, such as mounted, ground, ranged. However, as a matter of fact, there is no need to worry about it. (It’s fine to form troops with only mounted. Changing the type of troops doesn’t dramatically improve anything.)
This is just a little brief overview of the troops on Evony, but for a far more detailed, in-depth overview, head over to the troops section of this Evony guide, where I will list in far more detail what you need to know.
Note: This guide is purely hypothetical and created for player guidance. The ideal strategy of construction can vary from player to player, keeping in view their gaming style.
THE BEGINNERS VIDEO
In the meantime, check out this awesome video from YouTube: