Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 8 Week 7: Berbers vs Byzantines

Battle of the cheap camels!

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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 Bulgarians vs Huns, and next up is the Berbers vs Byzantines!

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Berbers: Cavalry and Naval civilization

• Villagers move +10% faster
• Stable units cost -15/20% in Castle/Imperial Age
• Ships move +10% faster
• TEAM BONUS: Genitour available at Archery Range starting in Castle Age
• Unique Unit: Camel Archer (Anti-cav archer... cav archer)
• Unique Unit: Genitour (Mounted Skirmisher)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Kasbah (TEAM Castles work +25% faster)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Maghrebi Camels (Camel units slowly regenerate hp)

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Byzantines: Defensive civilization

• Buildings +10/20/30/40% hp per Age
• Camels, Skirmishers, and Spearmen cost -25%
• Fire Ships attack +20% faster
• Advancing to Imperial Age costs -33%
• Town Watch free
• TEAM BONUS: Monks heal +50% faster
• Unique Unit: Cataphract (Heavy cavalry with anti-infantry attack)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Greek Fire (Fire Ships +1 range)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Logistica (Cataphracts deal 5 trample damage)

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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!

• Alright, so in your typical 1v1 on open maps, both of these civs I would consider to be solid options, but are still overshadowed by many of the top civs. However, as both civs lack a strong early-mid game eco bonus, this match up strikes me as pretty even. Both can field very cost-efficient armies, and both have powerful things to do with their gold. Who do you favor here?
• On water maps, again, both of these civs are actually quite strong options, but are unfortunately overshadowed by the top tier picks. Berbers are the only civ that can pick their engagements on water - either by pouncing on lower numbers of enemy ships or by sailing away when at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, Byzantines have the best fire ships in the game, as well as a complete Dock tech tree to boot. Which civ would you rather play when you roll Team Islands?
• Specifically talking about late game 1v1s on any land map, both of these civs seem to have their advantages. Berbers lack halbs and siege rams, but possess some incredible gold-retention with regenerating, nimble, camel archers, on top of their access to cheap hussars and genitours (lul). Meanwhile, Byzantines may lack the ability to field as strong an army with their gold (Arbs and Monks are probs your best choice here), but can seriously grind you down under a mountain of cheap trash units. Who do you favor past the 40 minute mark on a land map 1v1?

Thanks as always for participating! Next week we will continue our discussions with the Britons vs Magyars. Hope to see you there! :)

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3