Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 8 Week 10: Mayans vs Persians

Ooh boy this is a juicy one!

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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 Burmese vs Ethiopians, and next up is the Mayans vs Persians!

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Mayans: Archer civilization

• Start with +1 Villager, but -50f
• Resources last +15% longer
• Archers cost -10/20/30% per Age
• TEAM BONUS: Stone Walls and Gates cost -50%
• Unique Unit: Plumed Archer ("Trash unit" -Hera, 2020) [the unit is actually still very good]
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Obsidian Arrows (Archer-line +6 attack vs buildings)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: El Dorado (Eagle Warriors +40 hp)

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Persians: Cavalry^{and Trashbow} civilization

• Start with +50w, +50f
• TCs and Docks 2x hp; work +5/10/15/20% faster per Age
• TEAM BONUS: Knights +2 attack vs archers
• Unique Unit: War Elephant (Essentially a Mumakil)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Kamandaran (Archer-line now costs 60w)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Mahouts (War Elephants +30% faster)

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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!

• Alrighty everyone, so a certain smart and handsome content creator recently placed these two civs as 3rd and 4th best when it comes to 1v1 Arabia, so obviously I think both of these guys are absolutely top tier in that setting. Mayans have that consistent power level throughout the game, and between archers, plumes, and eagle warriors, are usually able to out-tempo most other civs. However, Mayans will have a hard time unseating the implacable Persians, whose cavalry, super-TCs and strong eco can do an incredibly good job of buying time for a powerful post-Imp. Whom do you favor here?
• On Nomad, back on WK/HD, I would have said these two civs are pretty even - as in, both are incredibly good. However, Mayans have received a couple small nerfs and Persians a couple strong buffs, so is this match up now lopsided on Nomad?
• On Arena, Mayans are a historically strong civ, what with the FC plumes and eagle warriors and all, but now Persians, with their incredible boom, are now a popular pick on the map. With space being something of an issue, and map control/relics being even more important here, would you say that Mayans should have the edge when it comes to pressuring down a Persian player?

Thanks as always for participating! Next week we will continue our discussions with the Koreans vs Saracens. Hope to see you there! :)

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3