Warcraft II is a real-time strategy game. You are responsible for building your economy and town while at the same time attacking and defending yourself against the enemy. Games begin with one Peasant/Peon or a pre placed town. The following three resources are necessary to that you must have to build your civilization: Gold, Lumber, and Oil.

Gold Mine Mined from the rich earth of Azeroth and Lordaeron, this precious metal is commonly used in exchange for goods and services. As a rare substance that is always in short supply, Gold must be dug out from the rock and soil within the established Gold Mines. Many of these Mines were abandoned when the Orc raids began and the workers fled for their very lives. Since the beginning of the War, these sites are frequently operated while under the protection of military forces. Gold is mined at 100 Gold a trip, you can increase the amount carried per trip by upgrading the Town Hall to Keep and more for upgrading to Castle.

Lumber Harvested from the abundant forests that inhabit all but a few regions in the realm, the uses for Lumber are nearly infinite. Once a tree has been felled and returned to the community, it is processed and made ready for use as Lumber. Craftsman then use this material to build many different structures and ships, as well as certain weapons and machines of war. Lumber may also be used in the research and construction of strange new devices - or by those adept in the arcane arts to aid with their magical studies.

Oil Large pools of this highly flammable substance are found far beneath the surface of the sea. Special Platforms must be constructed in order to drill deep enough into the ocean floor to get at this sticky, black substance. Dark oily patches, created by small geysers that form on the ocean floor and spawn modest amounts of Oil into the surrounding waters, serve as a beacon to Oil Tankers hunting for the rich black liquid. Although Oil is commonly used in the construction and powering of ships, it has been utilized in the development of buildings and upgrades.