Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 3 Week 3: Burmese vs Franks

Tanky elephants vs tanky paladins GO!

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 Indians vs Persians, and next up is the Burmese vs Franks!

Burmese: Elephant and Monk civilization

• Free Lumber Camp upgrades
• Infantry +1 attack per age (starting in Feudal Age)
• Monastery techs cost -50%

• TEAM BONUS: Relic locations visible on map

• Unique Unit: Arambai (Incredibly powerful, but inaccurate dart-throwing cav archer)

• Castle Age Unique Tech: Howdah (Battle Elephants +1/+1 armor)

• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Manipur Cavalry (Cavalry +6 attack vs buildings)

Franks: Cavalry civilization

• Foragers work +25% faster
• Castles cost -25%
• Cavalry +20% hit points
• Farm upgrades free (requires Mill)

• TEAM BONUS: Knight-line +2 LoS

• Unique Unit: Throwing Axeman (Heavy infantry with ranged attack)

• Castle Age Unique Tech: Chivalry (Stables work +40% faster)

• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Bearded Axe (Throwing Axemen +1 range)

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!

• Both of these civs are known as powerhouse pocket civs on any sort of open land map. The Franks have the better scout rush and knight-line, but the Burmese have access to Arambai and Elephants. Which do you feel is more valuable?
• In a 1v1 situation, it would appear that Burmese have the edge on most map types. Arena, Arabia, Water maps, even BF - Burmese seem to have everything they need to deal with the Franks with their excellent infantry, monks, and Arambai.
• Although Arambai are certainly a stronger unique unit than the Throwing Axeman at most points in the game, in the post-Imperial Age, the two units have the same range and similar hp. Throwing Axemen have a fair bit less attack than Arambai, but are 100% accurate, cheaper, and slower. Are Axemen a reasonable choice for the Franks vs the deadly Burmese UU?

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

Links to all previous discussions:

Part 1 Part 2