Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 10 Week 12: Saracens vs Vikings

And you thought I had forgotten! (I almost did, but it's still Wednesday my time 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 Celts vs Turks, and next up is the Saracens vs Vikings!

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Saracens: Camel and Naval civilization

• Market trade only costs 5%; Markets cost -100w
• Transport Ships 2x hp; carry +5 units
• Galleys attack +25% faster
• Archers (except skirms) +1/2/3 attack vs buildings in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
• TEAM BONUS: Foot archers +1 attack vs buildings
• Unique Unit: Mameluke (Camel with short-range melee attack)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Madrasah (Monks return 33% of their gold cost when killed)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Zealotry (Camel units +30 hp)

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Vikings: Infantry and Naval civilization

• Warships cost -15/15/20% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
• Infantry +10/15/20% hp in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
• Wheelbarrow and Hand Cart free
• TEAM BONUS: Docks cost -15%
• Unique Unit: Berserk (Heavy infantry that slowly regens hp)
• Unique Unit: Longboat (Galley-like war ship that fires multiple arrows at once)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Chieftains (Infantry deal +5 bonus dmg to cavalry)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Berserkergang (Berserks regenerate 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, two civs that do fairly similar things, despite vastly different tech trees. On 1v1 open maps, Saracens and Vikings are both archer-centric civs. Saracens will attempt to utilize their extra damage vs buildings and Market abuse to snowball an advantage, whereas Vikings will attempt to use their excellent eco to do the same. Who do you favor here?
• Interesting one for water maps - Saracens do have the faster attacking galleys, which are making something of a comeback in the meta, and the Market abuse can still be just as strong here (especially if wood runs low in late game). However, Vikings are still Vikings on water maps, and Longboats can be deadly, if you can get to them! How do the dynamics between these civs work out on the water in both 1v1 and team games?
• Speaking of tgs, both of these civs are very popular choices as an archer civ in 2v2s/flank civ in larger team games. In fact, we see this match up all the time in WC 2v2! I know that whenever I see these civs face off, I always talk about how Vikings are better set up to get an advantage with their archers due to their strong eco; however, if Saracens can find a way to get the upper hand, the game will quickly snowball out of control in their favor. What do you all think?

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

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3