Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 3 Week 1: Malay vs Spanish

And so begins round 3!

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 Vietnamese, and next up is the Malay vs Spanish!

Malay: (Infantry and) Naval civilization

• Advancing to the next age is +80% faster
• Fish Traps cost -33%; provide infinite food
• Battle Elephants cost -30%

• TEAM BONUS: Docks +100% LoS

• Unique Unit: Karambit Warrior (Cheap, weak, fast infantry that only costs .5 population per unit)

• Unique Building: Harbor (Dock upgrade that gives it moderate defensive capabilities)

• Castle Age Unique Tech: Thalassocracy (Upgrades Docks into Harbors)

• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Forced Levy (Swordsman-line cost no gold)

Spanish: Gunpowder and Monk civilization

• Builders work +30% faster
• Blacksmith upgrades do not cost gold
• Bombard Cannons and Hand Cannons fire +18% faster
• Cannon Galleons benefit from Ballistics (fire faster projectiles more accurately)

• TEAM BONUS: Trade units generate +25% gold

• Unique Unit: Conquistador (Mounted cannoneer)

• Unique Unit: Missionary (Mounted Monk with worse performance)

• Castle Age Unique Tech: Inquisition (Monks convert faster)

• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Supremacy (Villagers exceptional in combat)

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!

• Okay I know DM water maps are kind of a punchline in the community, but in AoC Spanish were considered the strongest civ by far. Of the new naval civilizations, Malay would appear to be the most likely candidate to challenge Spanish for best water DM civ. Malay have Shipwright, Harbors, and a nearly complete Dock tech tree. Thoughts?
• In addition, both of these civs are considered quite powerful options on Arena. Which civ do you prefer on that map and why?
• On Arabia, Malay have access to better archers and a more powerful eco, while Spanish have a deadly tower rush and access to Conqs in the Castle Age. Although very different from one another, both have solid late game options. At which stage of the game do you feel either civ has the edge over the other?

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