difference between baking a AO map and a normal map?

MujtabaYousuf

Helo guys
This is kinda a Noob question but I just wanted to know what is the difference between these two. 
As far as I know, the AO map doesn't need high poly but is it suitable for games and can I free hand texture on it? Say in substance painter? 
And for normal maps, all I know is it needs a high poly.
What are the differences between two and which one should i go for?
Thanks!

NoRank

I think you're talking about displacement map instead of AO. And you can paint normals and AO on substance painter.

And if you're talking about displacement, there are some models where you use them with tesselation to give details (usually on terrain or something like that) but most of the assets you can't just use this.

You should learn both IMO.

DRoss3d

Check out this video. I think it will clear up some of your confusion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHzIx41eiD4

Laughing_Bun

An AO map is just an ambient shadow map. You can generate one without a high poly but you wont be getting shadows forming around your highpoly detail.