Civilization Match-up Discussion Round 12 Week 2: Lithuanians vs Portuguese

Ummm.... yeah idk... both these civs have long names? That counts as a fun and engaging hook?? No, probs not...

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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 Japanese vs Sicilians, and next up is the Lithuanians vs Portuguese!

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Lithuanians: Cavalry and Monk civilization

• Start with +150 food
• Spearmen and Skirmishers move +10% faster
• Knights and Leiciai gain +1 attack per garrisoned relic (max. 4)
• TEAM BONUS: Monasteries work +20% faster
• Unique Unit: Leitis (Medium cavalry with high attack that ignores armor)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Hill Forts (Town Centers gain +3 range)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Tower Shields (Spearmen and Skirmishers gain +0/+2 armor)

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Portuguese: Naval and Gunpowder civilization

• All units cost -20% gold
• Technologies are researched +30% faster
• Ships +10% hp
• Can build Feitoria in Imperial Age
• TEAM BONUS: Team LoS is shared from the beginning of the game
• Unique Unit: Organ Gun (Light artillery that fires powerful volleys of projectiles at range)
• Unique Unit: Caravel (Galley-like warship whose bolts pierce through enemies like scorpions)
• Unique Building: Feitoria (Imperial Age building that slowly generates all resources at the cost of 20 pop space)
• Castle Age Unique Tech: Carrack (Ships +1/+1 armor)
• Imperial Age Unique Tech: Arquebus (Gunpowder units better track moving targets)

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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!

• Okay, so this should be an odd one lol. For your basic 1v1 on open maps, Lithuanians are probably considered a bit better on average due to their faster start, strong trash units, and snowball potential with relic bonus. However, Portuguese have a very broad tech tree as well, and can comfortably go for most unit compositions throughout the game, on top of having a powerful deathball of gunpowder later on. Which civ do you favor on more open maps?
• On closed maps, Lithuanians very much get to shine. Their lack in eco bonus is made up by their excellent ability to take map control, which in turn secures them relics, which in turn gives them insane cavalry. This is further complimented by their wide array of strong late game options. That said, Portuguese are possibly able to one-up Lithuanians when it comes to having strong late game options, and their faster researching techs could allow them to hit some nice timings. Is that going to be enough to survive the onslaught of the Lithuanian army?
• On certain types of water maps, this becomes a very interesting match up. Lithuanians are insane on any sort of hybrid map due to their extra starting food allowing them to send their initial villagers to wood for a very early dock. However, Portuguese will still find themselves with the better ships, and can easily mix in any sort of land unit to compliment their navy. On what sorts of water maps do you prefer each civ?

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

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Previous discussions: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3