Introduction
Game mechanics in Age of Apes are often overlooked or assumed to be universally understood by all players. Whether you’re just starting or you’re a seasoned veteran, one thing is clear: not enough players in the community discuss the core mechanics that can make a big difference in performance. In this guide, we’ll break down the mechanics for both rallies and field marches, helping to spread knowledge so that more players can configure their marches efficiently and maximize their results.
Field Buffs
Before diving into the mechanics of buffs, let’s first define “field.” For our purposes, “field” means any march that is not part of a rally but is instead fighting somewhere on the map. The “map” refers to any in-game area, such as Earth, KVK, Astral Coliseum, or any other location. It does not include buildings or any battles inside them.
Field buffs include anything that enhances your march while on the field—this encompasses skills, talents, equipment, troop weapons/gear, relics, mechs, and any other boosts that apply outside of buildings.
Field Buffs Matrix
| Fighter Position | Skills | Last Talent Point | Individual Talent Points | Equipment | Troop Weapons | Relics | Mech |
| Master | TRUE | TRUE | TRUE | TRUE | TRUE | TRUE | TRUE |
| Deputy | TRUE | TRUE | FALSE | FALSE | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Rally Buffs
A “rally” refers to either the in-game “Rally” option or any siege attack/defense situation. In this context, a siege attack means attacking a building using the “Rally” option, while siege defense means defending a building by placing your march inside and setting it as the building defense leader. 
Rally Buffs Matrix
| March Position | Skills | Last Talent Point | Individual Talent Points | Equipment | Troop Weapons | Relics | Mech |
| Leader | TRUE | TRUE | TRUE | TRUE | *Avg of All | TRUE | TRUE |
| Filler | FALSE | FALSE | FALSE | FALSE | TRUE | FALSE | *Conditional |
*Avg of All – Rally damage increases based on the weighted average Troop Weapon score of all participants in the rally.
*Conditional – The mech is only enabled for fillers if the rally lead is using either a Primatus or a legendary operator that allows additional mechs to join the rally troops.
Efficient Configurations
Now that we know what buffs are applied in each position and role, let’s discuss how to configure marches efficiently.
Define Primary Objective
Before configuring your march, it’s essential to define your primary objective. Here are a few examples for reference:
- Field Fighter – Hitter: Your primary goal is to create windows for teammates to safely move from point A to point B.
- Rally Lead – Attack: Your focus is on maximizing damage and providing your rally with the highest possible buffs.
- Rally Lead – Defense: Your goal is to defend an objective for as long as possible while minimizing losses.
- Rally Filler: Your role is to fill the rally with as many strong troops as possible.
Configurations
Based on these objectives, here’s a general guide to setting up efficient configurations:
- Field Fighter – Hitter: Prioritize survival and the ability to face multiple opponents. Equip your march with premium items like a maxed Scorpion to enhance control over enemies.
- Rally Lead – Attack: Focus on maximizing offensive siege stats. Use items such as a maxed Primatus mech, the Panda skin, and legendary mech operators like a maxed Mitchell. A maxed Steel Ambition carrier is also ideal.
- Rally Lead – Defense: Aim for a balance between offensive and defensive siege stats. Essential items include a maxed Elephant, the Elephant of Harmony skin, and a maxed Mitchell. A maxed Steel Ambition carrier is recommended.
- Rally Filler: Your focus is speed and troop volume. Max out your troop weapons, rally speed, march capacity, and defensive stats. Support equipment actives like Puppet Master, Freeze, and DNA Repair will ensure you and other fillers reach the rally quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
While this isn’t a step-by-step guide, it provides a solid framework for improving your performance. Understanding how buffs work is key to optimizing your role in Age of Apes. By familiarizing yourself with the game’s mechanics and how they apply to different scenarios, you can refine your strategy and increase your overall effectiveness. Each objective plays a vital role in determining battle outcomes, so mastering your configurations will significantly boost your team’s chances of success.
