Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 2 Week 11: Indians vs Slavs

The great boom-off of 2018 is about to begin!

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 [Huns vs Spanish](https://www.reddit.com/r/aoe2/comments/8lhejs/civilization_matchup_discussion_round_2_week_10/], and next up is the Indians vs Slavs!

Indians: Camel and Gunpowder civilization

• Villagers cost -10% in Dark Age, with an additional -5% discount per age
• Fishermen gather +15% faster and carry +15 fish
• Camels +1/+1 armor

• TEAM BONUS: Camels +6 attack vs buildings (Mamelukes and Camel Archers +5)

• Unique Unit: Elephant Archer (Tanky, slow, expensive cavalry archer)

• Unique Unit: Imperial Camel (Additional upgrade for Camel-line)

• Castle Age Unique Tech: Sultans (All gold income +10%)

• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Shatagni (Hand Cannoneers +1 range)

Slavs: Infantry and Siege civilization

• Farmers work +15% faster
• Tracking free
• Siege Workshop units cost -15%

• TEAM BONUS: Military buildings give +5 population

• Unique Unit: Boyar (Powerful, heavily armored cavalry)

• Castle Age Unique Tech: Orthodoxy (+3/+3 armor for Monks)

• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Druzhina (Infantry deal 5 trample damage)

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!

• In team games, both of these civilizations are considered top-tier pockets on most land maps. Which do you prefer and why?
• Both of these civs have powerful late game army compositions. Do you consider the flexibility of the Indian late game or the sheer power of the Slav late game superior?
• Indians have been picked for 1v1 Arabia almost constantly by experts for the past year or so. However, some people consider the civ to be overrated and the Slavs appear to becoming more popular in this most popular of game settings. How do they stack up against each other on "everyone" (Ornlu's) favorite game type?

Thank you as always for participating! Next week we will look at the Mongols vs Vikings. Hope to see you there! :)