Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 6 Week 5: Chinese vs Persians

I know this somewhat deviates from my normal posting time, but I am currently travelling in South Korea, so for this week and next you're just going to have to deal with it ;)

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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 Italians vs Magyars, and next up is the Chinese vs Persians!

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Chinese: Archer Defensive civilization

• Start with +3 Villagers, but -50w and -200f
• Techs cost -10/15/20% in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
• Town Centers support +5 population,+5 LoS
• Demolition Ships +50% hp
• TEAM BONUS: Farms +45 food
• 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)

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Persians: Cavalry civilization

• Start with +50w, +50f
• TCs and Docks x2 hp, +10/15/20% work rate in Feudal/Castle/Imperial Age
• TEAM BONUS: Knights +2 attack vs Archers
• Unique Unit: War Elephant (Incredibly expensive, slow cavalry with massive hp and attack)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Boiling Oil (First Castle arrow gains +9 attack vs rams)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Mahouts (Elephants move +30% 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!

• Once upon a time I would have said this match up was very even 11. So if you are looking at a 1v1 Arabia or similar map where you DO NOT start with a sheep under your control, to which civ do you give the advantage? Persians possess a stronger start off the bat, a better boom, and a fearsome cavalry line, but Chinese have a very strong eco themselves, a broader tech tree, and an insanely strong UU in the Chu Ko Nu.
• Chinese can function in any position in a team game, but are better suited to the flank. Persians meanwhile, are very much pocket-or-bust. So when considering these civs for a team game, would you rather have the Persian boom into Paladins or the Chinese solid archer play into Chu Ko Nu, BBTs, and Siege Rams?
• Finally, Chinese are pretty decidely the best Nomad civ due to the sheer power of the extra starting vills. HOWEVER, Persians are almost certainly a top 5 civ in their own right, boosted by the powered-up TCs, Docks, and ability to produce a Fishing Ship at the very beginning of the game. Is this enough to at least make them competitive with Chinese or not?

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

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2