Age of Empires IV FAQ — Ping, Servers, Network

Yes. PingAim auto-detects RelicCardinal.exe and routes its traffic through your optimal network interface using a WFP kernel driver. Age of Empires IV has no kernel-level anti-cheat, so PingAim operates without any compatibility issues. It optimizes the routing path to Microsoft Azure / Xbox Live servers that AoE4 uses for multiplayer.

AoE4 uses deterministic lockstep netcode — a model where all players must be in sync before the simulation advances. This means jitter (ping variation) causes the game to visibly pause, even briefly. Unlike FPS games with lag compensation, lockstep has no mechanism to hide latency. Additionally, the game adds a 2-turn execution delay on top of your network latency by design. Reducing jitter with a stable connection helps more than raw ping reduction.

Below 80ms is excellent for competitive play. 80-150ms is playable, though you will notice input delay in unit micro-management. Above 150ms makes precise micro (pulling units, kiting) significantly harder. Above 200ms, the lockstep simulation may visibly stall while waiting for your packets, affecting all players in your match.

AoE4 uses a hybrid model. Matchmaking and authentication go through Microsoft Azure / Xbox Live / PlayFab dedicated servers. The actual game simulation runs in a lockstep model that can use either dedicated relay servers or peer-to-peer connections depending on NAT compatibility. Opening the recommended ports (UDP 9999, TCP/UDP 3478) improves the chance of connecting through proper relay servers rather than P2P.

No. Age of Empires IV has no kernel anti-cheat. WTFast officially supports AoE4 and is used by the community without bans. The official ban policy covers cheating, griefing, and inappropriate content — not network routing tools. PingAim uses a WFP driver that operates at the Windows network stack level and does not modify the game client in any way.