Elder

How to Use Elder

Elder's effect — villagers train 8% faster — is the kind of bonus that rewards players who plan their build order around a single throughput vector rather than spreading attention thin.

Map type strongly influences value — open maps with frequent skirmishes reward different advisor archetypes than closed boom-heavy maps.

If you've previously underwhelmed with epic-tier advisors, Elder is a useful test case for whether your build order rewards focused bonuses.

Unlocking Elder

Elder is a tier-2 acquisition — accessible once you've cleared the main Vanity Age questline and have a few mid-tier booster pack pulls behind you.

Similar Epic Picks

If you want Epic-tier alternatives that take your build in a different direction than Elder, these advisors offer distinct strategic angles:

• Nynetjer — Age III, military focused
• Agamemnon — Age IV, combat focused
• Epchaid — Age II, economy focused
• Erastos — Age I, resource focused
• Ammon — Age III, combat focused

Best Pairings With Elder

Within the utility archetype, several advisors layer cleanly with Elder. Players running a focused utility build often rotate one of these as a second slot:

• Solon (Uncommon, Age IV) — Hippikons gain a 3% chance to deal a critical strike
• Solon (Common, Age IV) — Hippikons gain a 2% chance to deal a critical strike
• Viriathos (Uncommon, Age III) — All units are 30% more resistant to conversion

Name Origin

From a flavor standpoint, Elder belongs to the Multi-civilization lineage of advisors, connected to the mixed historical tradition spanning multiple cultures. Visual and audio cues in-game reinforce this association.

Age II Context

The Bronze Age transition is when many losses happen — choosing a focused advisor like this one helps maintain tempo through the dangerous middle period.