Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 5 Week 11: Chinese vs Mayans

Thankfully it's still Wednesday where I am, so I can maintain my streak of 73 Wednesdays in a row of posting these discussions ;)

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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 Burmese vs Mongols, and next up is the Chinese vs Mayans!

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Chinese: Archer Defensive civilization:

• Start with +3 villagers, but -200f, 50w
• Technologies cost -10/15/20% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
• Town Centers support 10 population; have +5 LoS
• Demolition Ships +50% hp
• TEAM BONUS: Farms +45f
• Unique Unit: Chu Ko Nu (Powerful foot-archer that fires multiple arrows in quick succession)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Great Wall (Walls and towers +30% hp)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Rocketry (Chu Ko Nu +2 attack; Scorpions +4 attack)

Mayans: Archer civilization:

• Start with +1 Villager, but -50f
• Resources last +15% longer, but farmers work -3% slower
• Archers cost -10/20/30% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
• TEAM BONUS: Walls cost -50%
• Unique Unit: Plumed Archer (Tanky, nimble, and cheap foot archer)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Obsidian Arrows (Archer-line +6 attack vs buildings)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: El Dorado (Eagle Warriors +40 hp)

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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!

• Oh boi don't we have some incredibly strong civs here! Starting with your basic 1v1 on an open land map, does the Mayans' quicker start give them edge, or are the Chinese resilient enough to hold out to their powerful late game? Are Chu Ko Nu even a viable answer to Plumes and Eagles?
• Switching to 1v1 on closed maps (Arena, Fortress, and friends), Do the dynamics of this match up change? Chinese are perhaps better able to abuse their long-run economy, but this also allows Mayan players to get up to Plumed Archers without much threat. Whom do you favor?
• Finally, in team games, both of these civs are top 5 picks at the moment. In particular, which civ do you guys think is helped more by fixed positions in team games (like in Memb's recent showmatch)? If both Chinese and Mayans get to be in their ideal spot, does it drastically change how these two civs fare?

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

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2