Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 7 Week 8: Ethiopians vs Huns

Uhhh I got nothing funny for this one... Idk both are good civs that I really enjoy playing? 11

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 Malians vs Mongols, and next up is the Ethiopians vs Huns!

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Ethiopians: Archer civilization

• Archer-line fire +18% faster
• Receive +100f, +100g upon reaching the next Age
• Pikeman upgrade free
• TEAM BONUS: Towers and Outposts +3 LoS
• Unique Unit: Shotel Warrior (Fast, fragile, high-attack infantry that wears a bright yellow life jacket)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Royal Heirs (Shotels created almost instantly)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Torsion Engines (Siege Workshop units get +0.5 increased blast radius)

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Huns: Default Cavalry civilization

• Do not need Houses, but start with -100w
• Cavalry Archers cost -10/20% in Castle/Imperial Age
• Trebuchets +35% accuracy
• TEAM BONUS: Stables work +20% faster
• Unique Unit: Tarkan (Medium cavalry with high pierce armor and attack bonus vs buildings)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Marauders (Create Tarkans at the Stable)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Atheism (Okay seriously guys, look at a Shotel. You cannot un-see the life jacket)

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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 yes both of these civilizations are considered quite good on 1v1 Arabia. Huns are likely stronger in a general sense (as in, they probably have more favorable match ups), but with that said, I think this match up can be pretty interesting. Ethiopians can hit hard and fast, possess free Pikemen to help them through the midgame, and have a slow but powerful lategame. Is that enough to possibly keep up with the speed of Huns?
• In addition, both of these civs are absolutely top-tier in a team game setting as a flank and pocket civ, respectively. Both civs can execute the meta strategies for their respective roles flawlessly, and have several powerful bonuses to help them even further. With that said, would you rather have an Ethiopian flank with super-archers, halbs, and siege, or would you rather have a Hun pocket with a powerful economy and Paladins flying out of Stables?

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

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2