Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 6 Week 9: Incas vs Malay

Death by a thousands cuts (or pokes)!

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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 Indians vs Spanish, and next up is the Incas vs Malay!

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Incas: Infantry Defensive civilization

• Start with a free llama
• Villagers affected by infantry Blacksmith upgrades
• Houses support 10 population
• Buildings cost -15% stone
• TEAM BONUS: Effectively worthless
• Unique Unit: Kamayuk (Powerful, gold-costing Pikeman with 1 range)
• Unique Unit: Slinger (Castle Age foot archer with large bonus damage vs infantry; made at Archery Range)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Andean Sling (Skirmishers and Slingers no minimum range)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Couriers (Kamayuks, Slingers, and Eagle Warriors have +1/+2 armor)

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Malay: Naval^{and Infantry} civilization

• Advance to in age +80% faster
• Fish Traps cost -33%; provide infinite food
• Battle Elephants cost -30%
• TEAM BONUS: Docks +100% LoS
• Unique Unit: Karambit Warrior (Incredibly cheap, fast, and weak infantry that takes up only .5 population per unit)
• Unique Building: Harbor (Dock upgrade that adds moderate defensive capabilities)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Thlassocracy (Upgrades Docks to Harbors)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Forced Levy (Swordsmen-line do not cost gold)

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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!

• So for your basic 1v1 Arabia, both civilizations have many strong options, but both notably lack an especially powerful go-to Imperial Age army composition. Do you prefer the Incas' deadly early game and plethora of powerful counter units or the Malay and their strong economy and inevitably with trash Two-handed Swordsmen?
• Although these two are among the worst pocket civs in the entire game, both are quite potent on flank in any land map team game. Again, Incas have the much stronger Feudal Age and are generally quite reliable, while Malay have the stronger economy and access to Bombard Towers and Bombard Cannons. Which do you think is overall the most potent addition to your team?
• Somewhat specific, but it strikes me that Incas are one of the best civs to exploit the Malay's weak early Feudal Age on any land map. As Malay, what would be your preferred answer to an incoming Incan trush at minute 11?

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

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2