This guide will show you how to host and join CoE4 games using the Hamachi VPN. This is necessary if you cannot (or do not want to) undertake the irritating and sometimes difficult process of port forwarding your router.

Install Hamachi from this site:

https://www.vpn.net

It's safe to use, but don't just take my word for it if you are cautious:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=50&safe=off&client=opera&hs=zRU&q=Is+hamachi+safe&oq=Is+hamachi+safe&gs_l=serp.3..0i67k1j0l4j0i22i30k1l5.26630.29696.0.29986.21.16.2.3.3.0.133.1420.6j8.14.0....0...1c.1.64.serp..4.16.1109.0..0i131k1j0i131i67k1j0i131i46k1j46i131k1.8lBx6AiFYcE

Having installed Hamachi you should be able to open it to find a window such as this.

Next go to Network -> Create a new Network...
The name and password are not super important just make sure it is something that you will remember so that your friends can join. A decent password is recommended of course.

At this point you should have a group set up; your friends can join now using your covert ID and password. They should show up in your group as shown below:

I have probably made this setup look to take longer than it actually does. These steps are fast.

Run Conquest of Elysium. Simply go to Network->Start Game Server. On the first screen simply press OK (The default port number works for this method).

At this point you can start a new game and set it up as you would a normal singeplayer game.
Finally you will be brought to this screen:

At the top it will tell you the IP that is being used by Hamachi for the game. Your friends will need the IP (Which should also be the IP that reads across the top of your Hamachi window). This will end in :7272 if you used the default port -- ignore this and just use the IP X.X.X.X values.

This window of CoE4 must remain open to host the server. As such the host will need to open a second window of the game in order to join his own game. Go to your steam library and right click on Conquest of Elysium->Properties->Local Files->Browse Local Files and run the 'coe4' application. At this point you use the second version of the game to join your server in the same manner as your friends

If you are the host of the game and are trying to join your game skip to step 2

Step 1: Join the VPN

Having installed and run the Hamachi application, ensure you have turned on the button in the Hamachi window as shown below:

Now go to Network->Join an Existing Network and enter the ID and Password that the host will have given you. At this point so long as you see yourself in a Network group and have a green light next to your name you can launch the game.


Step 2: Join the CoE4 game

Launch Conquest of Elysium. Network->Connect to a Game Server. At this point enter the IP adress that the host has given you. This is not the host's personal IP adress but a Hamachi IP that CoE4 will default to using. It should look something like this: 24.256.19.0 (Different numbers)
On the next screen just press OK as there is no need to use a different Port value:


Step 3: Setup and launch

At this point you should see a kind of lobby for CoE4. You can set up the usual player factions, colours, teams, AI, etc. It is worth noting that allied teams all move simultaneously (allowing players to co-ordinate attacks) but that for this to work the allied players must be in the lobby in team order. I.e. not like this;
the team 1 and team 2 players must be in consecutive order.

Step 4: Play the game finally

Have fun exploring Elysium online! I'd recommend that the host saves regularly and keeps at least 2 save files in case there is a problem with one. If another player disconnects from the game during your turn if you just wait s/he can reconnect automatically by rejoining the game server without the host needing to take the server down. Now go and spread the word of El with your friends...

...or just, kill everything. Your choice man.

Some online communities are incredibly toxic. That being said, I've yet to play with anyone unreasonable or unfriendly on Conquest of Elysium, as the community for this game is generally really good and helpful. If you are looking for people to play with then I can Recommend these sources:

My steam group
This group contains the most responsive and active members of the community, you are very likely to get a quick response from this group
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/groups/conquestofelysium

Discord group
If you have discord (or are willing to get it) then this is the best place to find people for a game of CoE4 or to get advice and help with the game.
https://discord.gg/bDtKwv4