Chinese still the dominant Civ after two rounds of Hidden Cup 3 Qualifiers; Vikings, Franks, and Japanese rising; Spanish, Mongols, Berbers, and Slavs underperform

In comparison to Round 1 Civ Analysis we have almost twice as much data (by combining Round 1 and 2 matches). Chinese continue their dominating streak with additional wins on map Arabia and El Dorado, although the pilot did suffer one defeat to Mayans. Still can't complain about winning 8 out of 9 games, when player ELO suggested the wins to losses ratio was supposed to be equal.

Persians continue to be the most highly picked civ in non mirrors; however, the results only show a razor thin civ advantage, eating high profile losses to Japanese, Italians, and Aztecs respectively. The water power favored the Japs and Italians even on hybrid maps, in particular, Italians used the Geonese Xbow to shut down Persia's cavalry.

The three Round 1 standouts were Chinese, Britons and Indians. Where are they now? It seems that players found ways to counter Indians on map Slopes, so it no longer shows any Civ Advantage. Britons on the other hand kept a Civ Advantage, although it shrunk after losing to Huns, Mayans, and Cumans.

https://preview.redd.it/af1k3uw29tk41.png?width=982&format=png&auto=webp&s=eac50a5cbbd40f17b3881732d3adbb2cfaad6e2f

Mayans continue to underperform in Round 2, however; the civ disadvantage seems to have shrunk a bit. They are still not quite at break even yet.

Slavs did not show up in Round 1 at all, but suddenly four players picked Slavs in Round 2. They were piloted by 2k+ elo players, too...but alas, only one win out of four games.

On the other hand, Franks continue to improve on their solid Round 1, with two additional wins in Round 2, dispatching Khmer on Arabia and Mayans on Gold Rush easily. If this continues then Franks might be on their way back to being a top tier civ in the meta, as pre-DE stats imply. Franks can be a simple civ that only focuses on cavalry, but they do it well. Sometimes, like versus Mayans...they also have Throwing Axemen. But how do Throwing Axemen counter Mayans? Basically, they kill Mayan Pikemen.

Japanese under performed in Round 1 but have recovered by Round 2. Why are Japanese so strong? Because they kept appearing in map Cup mirrors, and the water power delivered back-to-back wins in Cross and High Tide. High Tide as the name implies favors a civ with strong water bonuses, like faster working fishing ships with additional armor.

Spanish continue to be utter crap, without even a single win after 5 games (definitely the worst performing civ in HC3 Qual). Berbers were also lackluster when they were selected as surprise civpicks, only to fail to deliver twice in Round 2.