Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 6 Week 6: Huns vs Malians

Again, I know the timing is a bit off, but I'm in still South Korea until Sunday so y'all gonna just have to #DealWithIt

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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 Chinese vs Persians, and next up is the Huns vs Malians!

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Huns: Cavalry civilization

• Do not need Houses, but start with -100w
• Cavalry Archers cost -10/20% in Castle/Imperial Age
• Trebuchets +35% accuracy
• TEAM BONUS: Stables work +20% faster
• Unique Unit: Tarkan (Medium cavalry with high pierce armor and bonus damage vs buildings)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Marauders (Train Tarkans at Stable)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Atheism (ornluaLUL)

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Malians: Infantry Balanced civilization

• Buildings cost -15% wood (except Farms)
• Infantry +0/+1 armor per age, starting in Feudal Age
• Gold Mining upgrade free
• TEAM BONUS: University works +80% faster
• Unique Unit: Gbeto (Fragile, ranged infantry with good attack)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Tigui (Town Centers fire +5 arrows - even when ungarrisoned)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Farmiba (Cavalry +5 attack)

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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!

• Oh boy this is a spicy one this week! Both of these civs are very powerful in most any map/game type, but for your standard 1v1 Arabia, whom do you favor? Both civs have powerful wood saving bonuses, but Huns have the more nimble army with their Cav Archers and Hussars, whereas Malians possess Camels, gunpowder and Monks.
• So on hybrid-type maps such as Coastal or Cross, both of these civs are absolutely top-tier with their early-midgame wood saving bonuses and powerful land armies. Which do you favor on these common tournament map types?
• In a team game setting, I would honestly straight-up give the Huns the advantage in pocket, and I'd say it's a toss up on flank. Paladins are just ultimately better than Farimba cavalry, and the Hun TB is helpful too. On flank, both civs strike me as solid, especially since they are both good-great in pocket as well, but not exceptional. Thoughts?

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

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2