This map gives you the potential early access to a merc camp and the mercs as well as an easy expansion. This is one of the more popular maps to be played in the game and in tournaments.
Below are various creep routes for each race (UD still under construction).
Before you try these creep routes you should check this article on how to abuse creep mechanics (including lightning shield creeps and pulling creeps):
https://warcraft-gym.com/a-summary-on-creep-mechanics-and-how-to-abuse-them/
For the night elfs who do not know how to AoW creep, you need to check out this article first: https://warcraft-gym.com/ancient-of-war-creeping/
Human Creep Routes
Quick merc access before expo
Either of these creep patterns work and get you level 3, an expansion, and access to early mercenaries. You will need militia for these creeps along with your armies. For both of the #1 camps you must do the “pull the golem trick” so that you do not get bolted by the creep.
Quick merc access before push
Both of these creep pattern allows you access to mercenaries and then a quick level 3 to then push/harass. You need to use militia for the 1 spots and only militia on the 3 spot. For the #1 camp you must do the “pull the golem trick” so that you do not get bolted by the creep.
When facing orc harass
Harassing a human as an orc on this map is very straight forward and easy. Generally you can only get 1 or 2 creeps in before the orc harass occurs and you need to defend your units and base. You should use militia on the first creep.
When facing undead
This creep pattern will get you to level 3 and give you access to an early expansion. It is typically used vs UD.
You need to use militia for the expo (3rd) and 1st creep. When you scout the UD with your first foot and see the hero coming at you then do not creep #2 but attack the enemies hero and wait until night comes and then go for the expansion (3rd) spot. If the enemy is creeping something else then quickly take the item from #1, and while your militia finish the creep use am/foots/water elemental to creep #2. When taking the 4th camp, aim the troll priest first for the little experience you need so you can take the item and defend your expansion if need be.
Night Elf Creep Routes
Creep pattern for expansion
This creep pattern can be adjusted depending on your first hero. For example a kotg can creep an expo easier and quicker than a DH can. However, the most safe variant is to go for all 3 green creeps before going for your expansion. You will always AoW creep the first creep regardless of your plan.
General creep patterns, no expo
The blue creep pattern allows you to get level 2 and then harrass. You AoW creep #1, then go to one of the #2 spots for level 2. Then you go harrass.
The red creep pattern allows you to level quickly and safely. You AoW creep #1, then take either of the #2 spots. While you are creeping the #2 spot build 3 archers in total. Then use the AoW to creep the merc camp. Buy mercs while creeping it.
vs a fast expanding UD or HU
If you see that an UD or HU is fast expanding then you should only AoW creep the first green with DH/KotG. Kill the item creep first, grab the item, and then leave before you kill anything else.
Cheeky build patterns.
With either of these creep patterns you place your AoW at the unusual #1 spots. and then harass thereafter. You do not necessarily have to harass and can continue creeping, however, taking the larger camps early gives higher hero levels and an advantage in your harass.
Vs. Orc
Orcs will generally harass you and as such you need to play and creep rather safe. You have 2 options. Either way you AoW creep #1. Then you must choose, you either creep one of the 2 greens on your side of the map and play safe or right after AoW #1 go and harass the Orc as they are usually creeping at the troll priest camp.
Warden Creeping
These are 2 alternatives for warden creeping.
In the Blue pattern, you build an AoW at the first spot and an AoW at the 4th spot. You AoW creep the 1st creep and then build several archers before moving your AoW to number 3 to tank the merc camp. You then use an AoW built near #4 to creep the shop.
In the Red pattern you build an AoW at both #1 and #3. You use AoW to creep both of those camps.
Tavern Builds
Use the red pattern if you are not being pressured by opponent. Build your AoW at #1 position on red, then take your expansion and then #3. Buy mercs while creeping.
If you are being pressured automatically then do the blue creep pattern. Build your AoW at #2 however do not aow creep it, instead build additional archers while taking #1 and then go for #2 when you are more safe and use the AoW to creep. Buy mercs while creeping.
Undead Creep Routes
Under construction. Check back soon for Undead creep routes!
Orc Creep Routes
vs Human
Instant harass as always. What’s special on Last Refuge is, you can prevent the rock golem pull by sending a scout peon and hitting a creep when they attempt it. This way creeping the Merc camp gets way harder for them.
If they don’t creep the Merc camp and instead go for their small ogre spot, you’ll be too late to harass them creeping, so you can creep the troll priest on their side of the map first and the look for them at their second spot (murlocs most of the time).
Blademaster vs NE
The main goal in all of the 3 options given here is always to prevent lvl2 on the nightelf first hero for as long as possible.
The most common Nightelf route vs orc is small ogre camp (AoW) into murlocs (if kotg) or troll spot (if dh). You won’t be able to intervene with the AoW creep. Besides the most common route, nightelves also like to come to your side after the aow creep to chase your BM with the dh or entangle your peons with the kotg, so you also better check for that. Here’s some thoughts on what you can do:
BM vs NE option 1
You go for their troll shadow priest. Then meet them at their murlocs or skirmish with them when they wanna do the trolls. It’s less greedy than the options below but easier.
If you manage to successfully bully them off their camps, take more from their side. The natural expansion drops another nice item for the BM, either itemcreep it or if you had a particularly good creepjack (got the creep, killed 1-2 archers) take the whole camp. Especially if you did D, since you won’t have to go back for salves after. When your second grunt pops out it can go look for the enemy hero on your side of the map, so you can move your BM there after and try to give them as little air as possible.
BM vs NE alternative tech without shop
Run your BM towards the goblin shop, buy the circlet and run to the troll camp on your side. Your grunt runs around the other side towards the troll camp so you can spot the position of their scout wisp for later. Itemcreep your troll shadow priest, grab the items (if it’s replenish just use it), instant Windwalk and run over to be just in time to creep jack their troll priest or murloc nightcrawler, go for the archer after. Your grunt shouldn’t run the same way, instead it can run through the middle to their base and wrap around so it can block the archer when it tries to flee from your BM (like this, it will also see the enemy hero if they go over to your side instead of creeping). If you don’t get the creep jack or are somehow too late your grunt shouldn’t get into kotg entangle range, keep it back in that case and send it to look for scout wisps.
If you manage to successfully bully them off their camps, take more from their side. The natural expansion drops another nice item for the BM, either itemcreep it or if you had a particularly good creepjack (got the creep, killed 1-2 archers) take the whole camp. Especially if you did D, since you won’t have to go back for salves after. When your second grunt pops out it can go look for the enemy hero on your side of the map, so you can move your BM there after and try to give them as little air as possible.
Double Circlet Harass
Tech without shop. Go straight through the middle and pick up circlets at both shops along the way. The opponent will most likely be done with his first camp when you arrive. Try to cancel the second moonwell and kill as many wisps and archers as possible.
Blademaster vs Orc/UD
Get your small ogre camp, buy a circlet at the goblin shop and go for their troll priest. If it’s crept, they (FS HH orc or UD) did it as their first camp and can’t be too far off. Otherwise just itemcreep it yourself, look for them after and harass their creeping, don’t let them get a free lvl 3. If you already scouted that you’re up vs an Orc playing BM you can also just go straight for their natural expansion and steal it away (just be aware that they are probably doing the same on your side if you didn’t meet them yet).
The strategy marked with ” BM vs NE option 1″ from the nightelf section can also work out fine.
Farseer HH Lvl3 vs UD ( and maybe Orc)
Ideally you wanna bully the opponent as much as you can and greedily take as many of their camps as you can. One option would be to itemcreep their troll shadow priest (you might meet the DK here already), then creep your whole trollcamp, your murloc camp and their shop (you might meet them here again) after for lvl3.
Passive Lvl3 for a fs fl push vs Orc
Sometimes you just want a very passive and fast lvl3 tho, for example when going for a fs fl towerpush. In that case you can clear your whole troll camp, to your small ogre camp next to your base, get voodoo lounge items, creep your shop for lvl3 and arrive in mid exactly as you hit t2, get a second hero and push right away.