Somehow the AI does a much better job of leveling up its units than I do. In my latest game, I was proud of my first level 8 unit, but saw that the AI had a random army nearby with no less than three units at level 10.



I thought I had done everything possible to get XP for them:



- Engage as many battles as possible against minor village armies

- Skill up my hero so he gives the maximum army XP bonus

- Finish as many quests as possible

- Concentrate the XP on only one army



... despite all that, even after the third game I played they still out-XP me!



What I haven't tried yet is to station my army and hero in a city that gives an XP boost when they are idle (which is rare). I wonder if the bonuses from the hero stack with those of the city?



Any other pointers/ideas appreciated!

I've never really focused on this element. I've noticed two main trends, active units level up (obviously), but also units built later in the game start at higher levels (I'm not sure whether that is due to properties of the city changing, or other variables). Efforts keeping your army insanely active often seem to be mocked by the latter



Personally I don't bother too much with levels, I focus on having the best formed / equipped / led army, which seems to work well. But I guess there may be other things that work better

Each new Era gives new units an additional free level.

Several military buildings give XP to units in garrison, making leveling units in garrision sometimes faster than ones in armies..



So, actively trying to level through fighting might not always be the best option.

Personally I focus on spamming lightly armed armies with well equipped Heroes and cover and harass as much of the map as possible. The people with their 1 army, never seem to know what to do. They might be able to defeat any one of my armies in a direct engagement, but good luck defending all of your cities at the same time with one army. After they lose all but one city, they tend to just quit. Since we can't Raze cities on our own, I choose to play cultists for this reason... though I'm getting REALLY bored of playing the Cultists... Wish I could do that with any race.

Well it seems that having well equipped units outweights their level, but still - I can but wonder how the AI levels its units.



Also, confirming that the hero XP bonuses stack with the city XP bonuses. I have one right now that gives 5 xp/turn.

Also, you might consider building structures which give plain xp bonuses to the new units, built in the city.

Those are Conscription Center (40xp, age II), Army Manual (100xp, age IV), Inoculation Center (150xp, age V).

Hector21 wrote:
Also, you might consider building structures which give plain xp bonuses to the new units, built in the city.

Those are Conscription Center (40xp, age II), Army Manual (100xp, age IV), Inoculation Center (150xp, age V).

And dont forget to use some 'Blood Crystal' (+100% xp).