Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 9 Week 5: Bulgarians vs Indians

Match ups like these are why I do these discussions... I don't think I have ever seen or played it so far 11

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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 Italians vs Mongols, and next up is the Bulgarians vs Indians!

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Bulgarians: Infantry and Cavalry civilization

• Swordsmen-line upgrades free
• Town Centers cost -50% stone
• Can build Krepost
• TEAM BONUS: Blacksmiths work +50% faster
• Unique Unit: Konnik (Heavy cavalry that becomes an infantry when unhorsed)
• Unique Building: Krepost (Mini-castle that can only train Konniks)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Stirrups (Cavalry attack +25% faster)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Bagains (Swordsmen gain +5 armor)

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Indians: Camel and Gunpowder civilization

• Villagers cost -10/15/20/25% per Age
• Fishermen work +10% faster
• Camels +0/+1 armor
• TEAM BONUS: Camel units +5 attack vs buildings
• Unique Unit: Elephant Archer (Super tanky, slow, expensive cav archer)
• Unique Unit: Imperial Camel (Additional Imperial Age upgrade to camel-line)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Sultans (All gold income +10% faster)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Shatagni (Hand Cannoneers +1 range)

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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!

• As I said earlier, I have literally never encountered this match up before that I can remember... so theorycrafting time! For 1v1 land maps, Indians save a bit of food in Dark Age, but it should definitely be Bulgarians who set the pace of the game with some M@A play. Midgame, Indian eco will be stronger, and camels will do well vs knights, okay vs konniks, and poorly vs swordsmen/pikemen. Cav archers would also be an option here for Indians. Late game, Konniks are pretty darn strong if you can get the upgrades, and mega-armor 2HS are great vs the low attack camel units. I would give Bulgarians the edge here in late game and early game, but Indians having a sizeable window in midgame where they will have a stronger eco and better ranged options. Thoughts?
• In team games, both of these civs jump out as excellent pockets. Indians have always been top 3 pocket imo, as they serve an excellent anti-meta role with camels wrecking havoc on pure cavalry civs like Huns or Franks. They also have an excellent eco to boot. Bulgarians, however, have the awesome power of the Konnik in late game, alongside excellent infantry and siege. Which is overall stronger as pocket in your opinion?

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

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3