Becoming the Commander
Each team has one command tank which, if destroyed, causes the team to automatically lose. The command tank lets one person view the map from above, construct a base, give orders to team members, and research new technology. Whenever you join a game that has just started, the Commander Voting Menu ("." by default) will appear. Here you can vote for a player to become the Commander. The player with the most votes will automatically spawn in the command view with their body inside the command vehicle.
You can also enter the command tank's driving mode like any other vehicle by pressing the USE key ("E" by default) or clicking the "Log Out" button in the commander interface. To enter the commander's position, switch to the second position in the vehicle ("F2" by default) You can zoom in and out ("Mouse Scroll" by default) and rotate the camera ("ALT" by default).
Constructing a Base
The first priority of the commander is to construct a base and establish an income from refineries. On Classic maps, both teams begin with a refinery and a barracks, so the essential buildings have already been placed for you. With these two structures in place, the commander already has his base established and can extend and fortify it as he sees fit.
To construct a building enter the command tank, go to the command position, click the "build" menu button, and then click on the name of the structure you wish to build. A model of the building will appear at your cursor, and is shaded red until moved to an acceptable location, where it will turn green. To rotate the structure left click and drag the cursor before placing the building.
There are certain restrictions on build locations. Refineries can only be built on resource nozzels that are preplaced in the map. In addition, structures can only be placed when either friendly infantry or the command tank is nearby. The building model will be shaded green. If the building is in an acceptable location but no friendly units are nearby, its model will be shaded yellow.
If you attempt to place a building at an unacceptable place, the model will be shaded red.
NOTE: As a player, don't move into locations where you think the Commander will build, as he will not be able to place the building if you are in the way. An example would be the refinery zone, which is a common mistake made by new players. Standing in this zone will keep your commander from building a refinery:
After any structure is placed by the commander, team engineers will have to go and build the structure to 100% health before it can be used.
Commanding & Directing
The commander has an overhead view of the battlefield, but can only see enemy units and buildings when one of his teammates is near that particular area. When the commander selects a unit and directs them to a different location, it will radio a command to the teammate and display the location on their HUD. If the commander commands them to attack an enemy unit, the order will follow that unit while it is within viewable distance.
Groups of players can be created and bound to a number in a similar fashion to other RTS games. To create a group, first select all players you want to be in that group. Then, press either "Shift" or "Ctrl" and the number you wish to assign to that group. To recall that group later, simply press the assigned number on its own. This process works independently of the squads established by players on the ground.
Several hotkeys are available for use. These are the default hotkeys for the Command Interface:
- Zoom - 'Mouse Wheel'
- Rotate - 'ALT'
- Set group 'CTRL + 1-6'
- Select group '1-6'
- Attack order - 'a'
- Move order - 'd'
- Stop current order - 's'
- Units menu - '7'
- Build menu - '8'
- Factory menu - '9'
- Research menu - '0'
- Jump to alert - 'Spacebar'
- Exit Command Interface - 'e'
These hotkeys can be re-assigned via the in-game Options menu.
To help instill discipline in the commander's team, he has the option to prevent them from building vehicles at the factory. It is still possible for the commander to build vehicles from the commanding HUD, but the build panel in the factory is disabled. Use this to bring your team in line if they are disobeying your orders.
Researching
Once a radar station has been constructed, the research menu will become available. Research opens up new opportunities for your team by allowing access to new technologies such as advanced vehicle chassis and weaponry. To access the research tree from the command interface, first click on the Research button on your HUD, and then click View Research Tree.
Items on the research tree are divided into three categories- fields, specializations, and technologies. Once you research the generalities of a field you can research specific topics within that field, and within those topics research applicable technology. An example of this progression would be Mechanical Engineering (a field), leading to Upgraded Chassis (a specialization), leading to Medium Tank Chassis (a technology). Keep in mind that some technology items lead into other technology items. In the previous example, Advanced Chassis leads to Heavy Tank Chassis. There are five fields of study in Empires, and each leads to different technologies.
In order to research a technology and make it available to your team, you must first select a field. By hovering over the field names you can see a description of them below the research tree. To begin researching simply click on the hexagon you wish to enter which will highlight it, and then click the "Research" button. The research panel will display the amount of time remaining until the research is completed. If the panel is closed, a small countdown will appear above the Research menu button.
The game will notify you once a research has been completed. If you researched a field or specialization, you can go back to the research tree and enter the section. If you researched a technology the item is already available to your team.
To go back up the research tree, click the hexagonal button at the top of the Research Tree window.
For detailed information about the research tree in Empires see the Research Tree Appendix.