Top 5 Arb + Siege push civs on open maps

Hi all! Today it’s time to check my top5 Arbalester + Siege civs for open maps (mainly Arabia). Eco bonuses become very important and a consistent game plan until getting to Imperial Age is needed to carry out this strat. Unlike for closed land maps, I gave less importance to the availability of BBC or booming bonuses. There are many candidates for this top, but I chose these with the best of my judgment. Let’s check it out:

5th: Chinese. With one of the best early eco bonuses that is reflected on a 2 vill advantage, Chinese can pressure early and gain advantage from then on. Their versatility is well-known, thanks to a wide tech tree and savings on techs, which helps with transitions. Researching Arbalester, Bracer, Ring Archer Armor, Chemistry and Onager or Siege Ram means saving 690 resources. With Siege Rams and Trebuchets (although lacking Siege Engineers) as the best Siege options, Chinese can do a nice push with their FU Arbs, and mix a meatshield (Light Cavalry or Halberdier) depending on enemy response.

4th: Ethiopians. Ethiopian eco is not as strong as other civs’ on this list, but they make up for that with insane Archers. As I pointed out on my original post, the Ethiopian Archer-line deathball is so dangerous, that many civs relying on Archers need to mix in or go straightaway for Skirmishers to stop it. The biggest issue of going for Skirms is that it puts a handicap on your eco with their wood + food consumption. The free Pikeman upgrade is also very useful when facing a Cavalry unit. In Castle Age, Ethiopians can take military advantage, be aggressive and advance first to Imperial for their Arbalester + Siege push. They get the most complete Siege Tech Tree, so this strat is carried out perfectly by them.

3rd: Britons. Britons are regarded as one of the most “predictable” civs, but of course, that doesn’t mean that they are not deadly. With their early Shepherd eco bonus + Faster working Archery Ranges + Cheaper extra TCs + Extra Range on their Archers, it seems “a bad play” not to take full advantage of these features. Unlike the rest of the civs, Britons are less likely to receive a badaboom from Mangonels/Onagers, since their Xbows (8 range) outrange Mangonels and Arbalesters outrange Onagers. With 11 range (10 range if you still haven’t researched Yeomen) Arbalesters, Britons become very dangerous in early Imperial, forcing a switch into Skirmishers, Rams or high pierce armor units. It’s worth mentioning their Trebuchets, who can snipe enemy siege and groups of units, and Onagers, which, being Skirm and Ram counters, are essential to guard your Arbalesters.

2nd: Mayans. Mayans’ tech tree is geared towards Archer production. With a nice eco bonus and cheap Archers, they are one of the civs that could most easily afford a 3 Range Archer production. The Archer mass can become critical and thus uncounterable, and Mayans in Imperial Age get access to the Siege Ram for building razing (along with Trebuchets), Halberdiers against Cavalry and 100HP Eagles against Skirmishers and Siege to end the game. One of the most popular flank civs on Team Games, Mayans could be hard to stop if you let them mass Archers.

1st: Vikings. I regard Vikings’ free Wheelbarrow and Hand Cart as the best eco bonus in the game, which makes them very strong if their economy grows undisrupted. It’s true that they lack a strong powerhouse, but that doesn’t matter when you are the first who can afford any unit available on their tech tree (never forget that they have a solid Knight rush even without Bloodlines). In Castle Age, they get full eco potential and can stockpile a ton of food (when they're going Xbows) to advance to Imperial very fast. With Siege Rams and 3 infantry options for support, Vikings are one of the civs with the fastest Arb + Siege push.

So, what do you think about the list? Gimme your opinions! Next and last will be closed land maps! Have a nice day!