Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 3 Week 8: Magyars vs Mayans

Just noticed that these two civs are spelled surprisingly similarly...neat...

Hello and welcome back for another Age of Empires 2 civilization match up discussion! This is a series where we discuss the various advantages, disadvantages, and quirks found within the numerous match ups of the game. The goal is to collectively gain a deeper understanding of how two civilizations interact with each other in a variety of different settings. Feel free to ask questions, pose strategies, or provide insight on how the two civilizations in question interact with each other on any map type and game mode. This is not limited to 1v1 either. Feel free to discuss how the civilizations compare in team games as well! So long as you are talking about how the two civilizations interact, anything is fair game! Last week we discussed the Byzantines vs Malians, and next up is the Magyars vs Mayans!

Magyars: Cavalry civilization

• Villagers kill wolves in 1 strike cries
• Forging, Iron Casting, and Blast Furnace free
• Scout-line costs -15%

• TEAM BONUS: Foot Archers +2 LoS

• Unique Unit: Magyar Huszar (Light cavalry unit with bonus vs Siege)

• Castle Age Unique Tech: Mercenaries (Magyar Huszars no longer cost gold)

• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Recurve Bow (Cav Archers +1 range, +1 attack)

Mayans: Archer civilization

• Start with +1 Villager, but -50f
• Resources last +15% longer, but farmers work ~8% slower
• Archer-line costs -10/20/30% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age

• TEAM BONUS: Walls cost -50%

• Unique Unit: Plumed Archer (Fast moving, tanky foot archer)

• Castle Age Unique Tech: Obsidian Arrows (Archer-line +6 damage to buildings)

• Imperial Age Unique Tech: El Dorado (Eagle Warriors +40 hp)

Below are some match up-specific talking points to get you all started. These are just to give people ideas, you do not need to address them specifically if you do not want to!

• Both of these civilizations are considered very powerful for 1v1 Arabia. Do you favor the Mayans and their archer rush, plumes, economy, and eagles; or do you prefer the Magyars and their scout rush, cavalry, and cav archers?
• ECL stats time! In the Europe East 4v4 stage, the Mayans were THE most picked civilization, being picked 14 total times despite not being in the mandatory civ pool! The Magyars WERE in the civ pool, and were also picked a healthy amount at 11 times. Do you agree with the experts in that Mayans are an absolute top-tier team game civilization, even more so than the Magyars?
• On Arena, the Mayans are historically considered one of the best civs on that map. How do the Magyars perform against them? They lack a real eco bonus, but have excellent scout play in the mid game and a deadly late game. Is that enough to keep up with the nimble Plumed Archers?

Thank you as always for participating! Next week we will continue our discussions with the Khmer vs Mongols. Hope to see you there! :)

Links to previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2