We're the champions.. but this one will be tricky
|
[SPOILERS] yuris125 the dueller, semi-final - vs Lewwyn
|
|
So, after experimenting with a late era start, I'm going back to normal
 I very much would like to play more non-ancient starts - but not in an important match when I don't have any experienceLewwyn and I agreed to default settings with Spies banned, and now I'm thinking about the leader/civ pick. Civs are an easier choice, it looks like strong 2-movers are the most awesome UUs to have, and I didn't use Egypt or Mongolia, so they will be my choices in the play-off. As for the leader, I still have the following traits available Financial Expansive Creative Industrious Charismatic It seems natural to pair Mongolia with Cha, and Fin should help to get to HBR faster. I think I already mentioned I consider Hannibal of Mongolia one of the strongest possible duel picks, and I will stick with it. I like Exp with Egypt for more Workers and more chops into War Chariots, and I think Cre works well with Egypt as well - more options to connect resources mean better cities in case a WC rush doesn't win the game (and it probably won't) So my play-off combos are Sury of Egypt Hannibal of Mongolia What do I want to play against Lewwyn?..
I've been on the fence all evening, and will sleep on it and think about it tomorrow before submitting the pick, but I'm leaning towards Egypt. I really feel that playing against Lewwyn, I need means to protect myself against ultra-early aggression. War Chariots will provide exactly that, forcing him to build Spears for defence instead of offensive units
I've been thinking about our picks, and the more I thought about them, the more I liked my position. Of course, protective Skirmishers will almost guarantee that I won't take any cities with an early War Chariot attack. But come on, who am I kidding, I'm playing against Lewwyn, the chances of it were very slim in any case. But, as Seven pointed out, War Chariots are immune to first strikes, which means that if a Skirmisher has to fight against a WC outside a city, protective trait gives him no advantages whatsoever. It's a straight fight of a Str 4 unit against a Str 5 unit. Guess I know which unit has a higher chance of winning
All this means that War Chariots can still be used for harassment, maybe I can pillage some of Lewwyn's resources, and he can't use Skirmishers to choke me. His game plan is clear: build Oracle, get Metal Casting, get cheap Mints up, and outproduce me. But I have advantage in the early game, which I should utilise to the fullest; and if I can disrupt his Oracle building plan, I will be in a great position I also have to note that after I get my own Forges up, Lewwyn no longer has any advantage over me. Except bonus to wonder building. Could he go for wonder-whoring and try to win another crazy variant cultural victory? That would explain his choice of the Protective trait... In any case, I have to admit that my mood going into this game was "well, I'm probably the weakest player in the semi-finals, I will of course try my best, but there's no shame in losing to Lewwyn". But his Protective pick feels like he says "you're so not good enough, I can pick the crappiest trait in the game and still win". This got me so pumped, I now want this victory so much... even if it means you lurkers will get a one-sided final instead of a potentially great Mackoti-Lewwyn match :neenernee
To be fair an ancient-era duel is just about the best place for a Pro pick, I wouldn't read it as an insult. Organized would be...
If only you and me and dead people know hex, then only deaf people know hex.
I write RPG adventures, and blog about it, check it out. |
