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Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness Hints

Placing units and structures

  • The best way to know how to place enemies to test the level first.  If it seems the bad guys are too easy, put more in.  Also, station enemies all around, so you can face them when you are wandering, instead of just attacking them in their village.

    Also, if you want an easier difficulty when placing enemy units, put their AI on Passive.  This means that they'll attack you when you get into their sight range.  When on Active, they will go out, attack, defend, hunt you down, etc.  thus making it a tad bit harder.

    With your own men, it's usually a good idea to provide a few defenders when you start a village, as well as some farms.  Most people prefer to start with just one Peasant, but there are some who don't like to build their village, and want that done at the start.

    It's a good idea to give several farms to enemies if you want to make it harder.  This way, they don't waste time building their own, and make units instead.  Also, you may want to start them off with a Great Hall, a bunch of Farms, a Lumber Mill, and a Blacksmith.  If you want something harder, have a Keep instead, with a Stables, and Gnomish Inventor.  Again, this will speed things up.

    I have noticed a couple holes in Custom Levels: Demo Squads and Sappers will never attack you (just like in the normal game, as the enemy will never bother to make them) and I've never seen Death Knights and Mages attack you.  However, other people have told me that they could get magic guys to cast those spells (which can make your life miserable).  Try putting them on Active, or giving them a bunch of money, and starting them of with a Temple and several Death Knight.

    If you put the enemy AI on Sea Attack, start them off with a Shipyard, and an Oil Platform somewhere.  Make alot of guys too, as they skimp on these in the actual game, making it too easy the defeat them.

    When you put the enemy AI on Air Attack, it's usually wise to not start them off with many buildings and lots of resources.  Before you can even upgrade to a Stronghold (or Keep) they'll be sending Dragons over, and promptly destroy everything.