Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 11 Week 11: Huns vs Malay

Two civs that will swarm you in very different ways!

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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 Berbers vs Burgundians, and next up is the Huns vs Malay!

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Huns: Cavalry civilization

• Do not need Houses, but start with -100w
• Cavalry Archers cost -10/20% in Castle/Imperial Age
• Trebuchets +30% accuracy
• TEAM BONUS: Stables work +20% faster
• Unique Unit: Tarkan (Medium raiding cavalry with bonus damage vs buildings)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Marauders (Tarkans can be created at the Stable)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Atheism (Relic/Wonder victories take +100 years; enemy relics generate -50% gold)

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Malay: (Infantry and) Naval civilization

• Advancing to the next age is +66% faster
• Fish Traps cost -33%; provide unlimited food
• Battle Elephants cost -30%
• TEAM BONUS: Docks +100% LoS
• Unique Unit: Karambit Warrior (Extremely cheap and weak infantry unit that costs .5 pop space)
• Unique Building: Harbor (Dock upgrade that provides modest defensive capabilities)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Thalassocracy (Upgrades Docks to Harbors)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Forced Levy (Swordsmen gold cost replaced by additional food cost)

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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!

• Alrighty, so both of these civs saw a decent amount of play in HC4, so I'm sure they are fresh in your minds :). For 1v1 Arabia, Huns are of course the classic go-to for many players, and are indeed still a very strong pick to this day. Their strong economy combined with their ability to apply pressure throughout the game with their cavalry is certainly not something to take likely. Malay, meanwhile, are comparatively less popular on the map, but certainly have all the tools necessary to win a game: strong eco, strong archers, insanely good trash units, and some powerful niche picks with Elephants and Karambits. Do you think that Malay can grind down Huns, or will they be overrun?
• On hybrid maps, both of these civs are popular. Huns retain their mobile and aggressive options as well as boast a solid wood-saving bonus in early to midgame. Malay, meanwhile, are never uncomfortable on water maps, and can always make use of even the smallest of ponds for some infinite food fish traps, as well as creep along the coast with Harbors. I know there are many different types of hybrid maps, but what are the sort of things that you think give an advantage to one civ over the other?

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

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3