'Crazy 8s' Build Order Feedback

Hi Everyone,

I am just getting back into this game. I've had a lot of fun trying to figure out the most efficient build order(s), and I understand there is a lot of agreement on the most optimal universal starts (not to mention nuances depending on starting civilization).

I recently tried something new with the Britons, and I'm wondering if it would work just as well for others. While I was not first to Feudal or Castle, I was still able to beat all 3 Hard AIs to the Imperial Age. In general, I stuck with multiples of 8 for my villagers, and 40 total just seems to be a soft cap, at least for the first ~30m of in-game time (not sure if that's actually a significant number/total or not).

I know this goes against the usually recommended build order, and I know this doesn't set me up to defend a rush. But, assuming I have at least another ~15 minutes of in-game time to upgrade and build an army, what do y'all think about this as a starting strategy? I am particularly interested in specific feedback on where exactly any efficiencies are broken / could be improved. I would be honored if the lords of this sub would give it a try, if even just for fun.

Thanks in advance for taking a look!

Results: https://www.reddit.com/user/go-away-fatman/comments/m39xbp/aoe2_build_order_20210311/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Build Order:

villagers 1-3 build house 1

villager 1 change to build house 2

select town center, shift click create villagers, set way-point to sheep

select all 3 villagers, shift right-click to harvest sheep next

scout explore additional sheep, berries, and minerals

move sheep to town center as discovered

create villagers 7-10, set way-point to lumber

7th villager create lumber mill

create villagers 11-14, set way-point to berries

11th villager change to create houses 3-8, then shift right-click to harvest berries next

closest berry villager creates mill as soon as possible

create villager 15, set way-point to sheep

1 of now 7 sheep villagers lour boar 1, all 7 harvest boar and remaining sheep

create villagers 16-17, set way-point to gold, build mining camp

create villagers 18-19, set way-point to stone, build mining camp

7 boar villagers to boar 2

create villager 20, set way-point to boar

create villagers 21-24, set way-point to lumber

8 boar villagers create farms and harvest remaining berries, become 8 farms

4 berry villagers become 2 more stone and 2 more gold

create villagers 25-32, set way-point to lumber mill

create villagers 33-40, set way-point to build new mill and 8 farms

advance to feudal age

buy all resource-based upgrades

4 stone villagers build blacksmith and market, shift-right click back to stone next

advance to castle age

buy all resource-based upgrades

4 stone villagers build castle, shift-right click back to stone next

advance to imperial age