Using the Mouse
In general, when using the mouse in the field, left-click 
selects something, and right-click 
performs an action.
Selection and Movement
- To select a unit or building, left-click
the unit. - To select all units of the same type, double-click (x2) a unit of that type.
- To select multiple units, click and hold the button and drag a box around the units (release to select the unit(s)).
- To garrison selected units in a building, hold and right-click
the building. - The top-left of the screen contains a number of group banners. You can select a group of units and then right-click on a group banner to create a group.
- To add more units to an existing group, select the units, then hold and right-click the banner of the group to which you want to add the units.
- Left-click a group banner to select all the units in that group.
Selecting buildings and units gives you access to a menu for that particular building/unit. The commands available in that menu will depend on the abilities of the building/unit, or, if multiple units are selected, the combined abilities of those units (some abilities may not appear if multiple types of units are selected at the same time).
With a unit (or units) selected, right-click on the field or the mini-map to move the unit(s) to that point. Exploration of the map reveals surrounding terrain, resources, and enemies. Right-clicking an item on the field will perform certain default actions (attack an enemy, gather a resource).
The Screen
In addition to the field on which you select and interact with your units and buildings, there are a number of other interface elements on the screen that are important, especially for users playing the game primarily with the mouse. These elements are grouped at the top and bottom of the screen.
Top
Going from left to right, the interface elements at the top of the screen are as follows:
- Group Banners: Assigned groups are available from these banners
- Age Advancement Bar/God Power Display: Age advancement progress and god powers are displayed in the center of the top portion of the screen
- Objective Banner: Click this banner to view your objectives
- Hero Banner: Click to find Heroes
- Idle Villager Banner: Click to find idle villagers
- Menu Group: The collection of items on the top-right of the screen are as follows:
- Civilization Chart
- Player Status
- Tribute
- Chat
- In-Game Menu
Bottom
From left to right, the elements at the bottom of the screen are as follows:
- Resource Panel: Shows current stock-piled resources (from top-to-bottom)
- Food
- Wood
- Gold
- Population/Population Limit
- Favor
- Command Panel: Displays available tasks, units, buildings, commands, and improvements for selected unit(s)/building
- Stats: Displays information about the currently selected building/unit(s)
- Production Queue/Selected Units: Shows the currently selected unit(s), any items currently in the selected building's production queue, and any improvement progress
- Mini-map: An overview of the game map is displayed in a diamond on the bottom-right of the screen, surrounded by five buttons around the exterior of the bottom half of the map
- Flare: Sends a distress signal visible to all players
- Town Center: centers the field view on your Town Center
- Combat Filter: Toggles display of military units and buildings on the mini-map
- Resource Filter: Toggles display of economic units and buildings on the mini-map
- Default Filter: Toggles display of all units and buildings on the mini-map
Hotkeys
Most of the hotkeys can be configured in the game's menus.
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Cycle through event notifications | |
| Cycle through idle villagers | |
| Cycle through idle military units | |
| Cycle through heroes | |
| Center view on selected unit | |
| +(-) | Assign group number to selected units |
| - | Select group assigned to this number |
| +(-) | Select group assigned to this number in addition to currently selected units |
| Display detailed help | |
| Display improvements | |
| Display objectives | |
| Display score | |
| Display chat menu | |
| Display tribute menu | |
| Display diplomacy menu | |
| Quicksave | |
| Quickload | |
| Display in-game menu | |
| Display game time | |
| + | Capture screenshots |
| Delete selected unit or building | |
| Pause game | |
| Display chat interface | |
| Select Town Center |
Building Hotkeys
With a villager/ulfsark selected, use the following keys to build the following items:
| Key | Item to build |
|---|---|
| Archery Range (Greeks) | |
| Barracks or Longhouse | |
| Siege Workshop (Egyptians) | |
| Dock | |
| House | |
| Farm | |
| Granary | |
| Wonder | |
| Mirror Tower (Atlanteans) | |
| Lighthouse (Egyptians) | |
| Mining Camp | |
| Lumber Camp | |
| Tower | |
| Armory | |
| Stable or Counter Barracks | |
| Temple | |
| Monument or Sky Passage | |
| Fortress | |
| Market | |
| Town Center |