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My top 10 aoe2 mods 1300x840 2

My Previous Top 10 Mods

Age of Empires offers unlimited possibilities in terms of game settings. But that’s not all. It also allows us to make the game look like (almost) anything we want. From changing colors to customizing unit appearances.

Click the image to open a larger version in a new tab.
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One of the things, I appreciate the most, are User Interface (UI) related mods. Among other things, they allow us to customize the game’s UI to our respective needs. For me, it was all about focus and centralization of the displayed information. Ok, ok … there are also some comfort features, that I really like. Here are my top 10 UI and comfort mods.

1
No Intro
(saves time)

Creator: MrMycelium2816

Click here for details

No intro 1333x755
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Why I use it

As much as I like the intro movie, there are only so many times, you can or want to watch it. This mod simply helps me to save a bit of time. Is it absolutely essential? No. Is it useful? Yes.

2
[UFS] Orginal Main Menu UI Theme
If you like it dark

Creator: UnluckyForSome9

Click here for details

Original main menu theme 1280x720
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Why I use it

What can I say? I like it dark. And this beautifully made menu background combined with the colors of the other UI elements just does it for me.

3
Custom UI – Centered Modern (black and white)

Creator: daehiise

Click here for details

Custom ui centered modern bw 1280x719
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Why I use it

Two main reasons

  1. I like the simple and clean UI. No clutter, everything perfectly readable.
  2. I am playing on a 34″ ultra-wide monitor with a resolution of 3440×1440. With the default UI, the information is very distributed and I need to look around a lot to check on resources, mini-map, or building queue.
    With this mode, all elements are nicely organized and I can find all the information at the bottom of my screen.
4
0xDB Chunky Tree Tiles 1.3
No more holes

Creator: OxDBAOE2

Click here for details

Chunky trees 1280x720
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Why I use it

While the original trees are gorgeous, they also make preventing and detecting holes in your walls difficult. The ‘Small Trees’ mod helps a bit, but I find ‘Chunky Trees’ a bit better as it really fills the whole tile.

5
No more plants
Cleaner maps

Creator: Sogomn

Click here for details

Nothing to see 1300x840
Why I use it

I always found the purely decorative plants very distracting. When I found a mod that removed any plants that could not be harvested or cut down, I was delighted indeed.

6
No stumps
They are useless anyway

Creator: O4py

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No stumps 961x720
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Why I use it

The stumps of felled trees somehow triggered me. I like things neat and clean, so that mod had to be on my top 10 list.

7
0xDB Ten Five One Grid
Easy distance measuring

Creator: OxDBAOE2

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Ten five one grid 1280x720
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Why I use it

Even though this has been around for a while, I came across it only recently. This is probably the most useful grid mod. It does not just provide a subtle grid but helps with identifying every 5th and 10th line easily.

8
Improved Mangonel Shot Visibility
Yes, I wear glasses

Creator: iD4NG3R3694

Click here for details

Improved mangonel 1280x720
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Why I use it

It does what it says. It helps me to see mangonel shots more easily. And it does so in an unobtrusive way. Once you tried it, you won’t want to miss it.

9
Fish Borders
Find Fish Faster

Creator: Tevious7621

Click here for details

Fish borders 1280x720
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Why I use it

That’s another one that helps me to see things better without disrupting the overall impression. It’s a subtle and useful mod.

10
Better Civ Emblems
Aid your memory

Creator: Xyrr6134

Click here for details

Better civ emblems 1280x720
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Why I use it

Frankly, this one is mostly for spectating games. I know that the civ icons are beautiful and easy to remember. But for me, this mod makes it still easier.

And that’s a wrap! What do you think? Are you using some of those? What are your favorite mods? Let me know.

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