Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Singapore Thrar
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Thrar »

Progress Update - Ethiopians

Week 17 with the Ethiopians is completed. I played 32 games over the course of about two weeks with a roughly even win rate.

Ethiopians were an interesting challenge in particular because I couldn't find any build or strategy suggestions for the October patch (i.e. after all rebalancing), so I spent the first few days theorycrafting and practicing different openings. I settled on the opening I described here but found that the FF was too greedy in most matchups so often I went for age 2 gascenya, shotel, and the cannoneer shipment instead. The advantage of this composition is that you only need a single upgrade in age 3 and it upgrades both unit types by 25%, plus a 10% boost to the neftenya as well. I basically never made cavalry (or palace units) at all, shotels felt quite strong and the extra upgrade never seemed worth it. Ethiopians are actually the only civ in the game that have both a musk-type unit in the gascenya and a shock infantry unit, which I think is a really strong combination.

I enjoyed the challenge of working out my own build and it was very satisfying to see it work out reasonably well, reaching a rating that for me is among the highest I've achieved with any civ so far (mid 1400s). Unlike with some other civs, I haven't found any one cookie-cutter strategy or timing that really stood out; the civ is just overall well-rounded, has interesting units available and even a limited age 2 boom option with monasteries and abuns. I would like to play them more, but queue times have been getting longer since the AoE4 release so we'll see how things go.

This completes the challenge. :kinggreen:

Thank you to everyone who posted, upvoted, or messaged me in game with your feedback and suggestions! I really appreciate the input and encouragement!
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Kiribati princeofcarthage
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by princeofcarthage »

Time for aoe 4 challenge now
Fine line to something great is a strange change.
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Singapore Thrar
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Thrar »

Progress Update - Mexicans
(bringing this back for the new civs that came out since the initial challenge)

Week 18 with the Mexicans is completed. I played 40 games over the course of a week with a 57% win rate and a new highest ever rating.

Before going into ranked, I prepared 3 builds that I thought would be relevant for different matchups: an irregular/salteador timing into age 2 pressure (general purpose), a hacienda boom (against a defensive boomer like Japan or Ports on land), and a revolt FI (against a turtle like Dutch). Perhaps the meta has shifted from what I expected because I never ran into a defensive opponent so I almost always did the age 2 play. This worked very well; irregulars are good early with their overwhelming numbers and when they fall off in later age 2 I usually shifted to a salteador/chinaco composition. The high siege makes it very difficult for opponents to build outside of TC range and it's often possible to pick off a stray house, market, or even wonder that can be sieged from outside the TC radius. The games I lost were usually either due to opponents having lots of hunts in base that I couldn't deny, sneaking vils off somewhere without me noticing, or me committing too hard to a fight rather than keeping them pinned down.

Mexico was fun, I liked being able to set the pace of the game most of the time, although I would have liked an opportunity to use the other strats I prepared as well. I remember almost a year ago during the Aztec week I had big problems being on the offensive keeping up the pressure without losing too many units. This worked much better with Mexico, I'm not sure if that's due to the civ or because I'm doing something different from back then.

Next up will be the Italians after the upcoming balance patch is out.
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Progress Update - Italians

Week 19 with the Italians is completed. I lost count but I think I played around 40 games, dropping 150 rating points in the process (albeit from a record high with Mexico).

It took me a while to figure out how to play the civ and I still don't think I'm quite there. I found age 2 musk/huss to work very well in some matchups; Italy has a pretty good early economy (I'd say on par with France thanks to free vils and many market upgrades) that scales decently in age 2 thanks to vils from Church techs and such. Musk/falc in age 3 also worked pretty well in some matchups.
However, I had big problems against civs where musks were weak, so basically anyone with good skirmishers. Skirm/goon is much easier to macro than pavise/goon due to the different resources needed, plus the fact that pavise need an upgrade and at least one card to stand up to skirms. I still haven't really found an answer to this dilemma; I can win early age 3 with a musk/falc push, but if it goes into extended age 3 I usually lose.
The most fun build for me was a musk semi-FI I did against defensive civs like Dutch and Ports. Pushing with the 25 musk shipment, another 25 or so vet musks, and lots of artillery at 10-12 minutes is quite powerful, and bersaglieri are a great followup since they're shadowteched to IV, bypassing the annoying need to upgrade and card dead-end pavise.

Italy was fun, but my struggles in age 3 were really frustrating. Against civs I knew I couldn't hit hard and fast enough before they got to age 3 I felt like I was guaranteed to lose.

Next up will be the Maltese but I think I'll take a few more days to experiment with Italy first.
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

"Play all Civs +2000elo"
I decided to do this again because the meta of the past and the present has changed (Because it is fun to learn new things)


British
Dutch
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee
Lakota
Chinese
Indians
Japanese
Americans
Incas
Swedes
Ethiopia
Hausa
Mexico
Italy
Malta

Played Rus for a few days and reached 2k elo. Next is Malta.

Rus -> malta
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by callentournies »

Miyawaki Sakura wrote:
19 Sep 2023, 14:06
"Play all Civs +2000elo"
I decided to do this again because the meta of the past and the present has changed (Because it is fun to learn new things)


British
Dutch
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee
Lakota
Chinese
Indians
Japanese
Americans
Incas
Swedes
Ethiopia
Hausa
Mexico
Italy
Malta

Played Rus for a few days and reached 2k elo. Next is Malta.

Rus -> malta
stream this! hit that button
If I were a petal
And plucked, or moth, plucked
From flowers or pollen froth
To wither on a young child’s
Display. Fetch
Me a ribbon, they, all dead
Things scream.
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

"Play all Civs +2000elo"



British
Dutch
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee
Lakota
Chinese
Indians
Japanese
Americans
Incas
Swedes
Ethiopia
Hausa
Mexico
Italy
Malta(2023/10/11)


20231011134242_1.jpg
Played Malta for a few weeks and reached 2k elo.
Their bow was crazy but it was tricky to play because they had no fast 3age and 2falcs shipment and had 2pop musk.(They had to send an additional card after 4 Age to use properly)



Next is Dutch

Rus -> malta -> Dutch
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

20231027051849_1.jpg
British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee
Lakota
Chinese
Indians
Japanese
Americans
Incas
Swedes
Ethiopia
Hausa
Mexico
Italy
Malta(2023/10/11)

Dutch also gave me 2k elo.

It felt like they could beat every civs except Spain.(age2 skirm op)



Next is Swe

Rus -> malta -> Dutch -> Swe
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by callentournies »

noble censoring of opponent name. most honorable and fair player!
If I were a petal
And plucked, or moth, plucked
From flowers or pollen froth
To wither on a young child’s
Display. Fetch
Me a ribbon, they, all dead
Things scream.
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by callentournies »

@Miyawaki Sakura how do you lose Elo to “climb back up” to 2k with a civ? Lose to Harrison a bunch?
If I were a petal
And plucked, or moth, plucked
From flowers or pollen froth
To wither on a young child’s
Display. Fetch
Me a ribbon, they, all dead
Things scream.
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Korea South Miyawaki Sakura
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

callentournies wrote:
27 Oct 2023, 08:19
@Miyawaki Sakura how do you lose Elo to “climb back up” to 2k with a civ? Lose to Harrison a bunch?
Yes,He was a bully to me
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

K-003.png
British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee
Lakota
Chinese
Indians
Japanese
Americans
Incas
Swedes(2023/10/27)
Ethiopia
Hausa
Mexico
Italy
Malta(2023/10/11)





I achieved 2000+elo in about 3 hours after starting at 1899elo.
Most opponents thought I'd play greedy, so the tower rush worked really well.
Also, even if i played greedy, i could destroy my opponent's fb with 2LCs




Next is Mexico

Rus -> malta -> Dutch -> Swe -> Mexico
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by Mr_Bramboy »

callentournies wrote:
27 Oct 2023, 08:10
noble censoring of opponent name. most honorable and fair player!
well except in the awards
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

K-002.png
British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee
Lakota
Chinese
Indians
Japanese
Americans
Incas
Swedes(2023/10/27)
Ethiopia
Hausa
Mexico(2023/11/03)
Italy
Malta(2023/10/11)



After a few days of effort, I succeeded in achieving 2k elo with Mexico.
I had to study them myself because I didn't have a guide that someone had written perfectly to play them.
Their semi FF was bad(slow, low eco, 17range skirm) and ff felt bad too compared to other ff civs and fi was easily punishable.
Instead, they seem to have been able to win most fb fights.(I also lost most late age 2 because Mexico don't have a good age2 unit reinforcement card)
But one thing is for sure: Mexico is crazy in sudan nat map.





Next is China

Rus -> Malta -> Dutch -> Swe -> Mexico -> China
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by Mr_Bramboy »

Miyawaki Sakura wrote:
03 Nov 2023, 15:02
But one thing is for sure: Mexico is crazy in sudan nat map.
I noticed you did this against me and you were very far ahead in score despite me going for a greedy Chinese FF. Why, what do you use the Sudanese natives for?
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

Mr_Bramboy wrote:
03 Nov 2023, 15:39
Miyawaki Sakura wrote:
03 Nov 2023, 15:02
But one thing is for sure: Mexico is crazy in sudan nat map.
I noticed you did this against me and you were very far ahead in score despite me going for a greedy Chinese FF. Why, what do you use the Sudanese natives for?
Sudan nat offers Mexico 8vills ship(age2), huge xp and Free 1tc(when mexico age3)
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

K-001.png
British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee
Lakota
Chinese(2023/11/05)
Indians
Japanese
Americans
Incas
Swedes(2023/10/27)
Ethiopia
Hausa
Mexico(2023/11/03)
Italy
Malta(2023/10/11)

China gave me 2k elo.
It seemed that their meteorhammers could no longer effectively remove artillery :(



Next is Japan

Rus -> Malta -> Dutch -> Swe -> Mexico -> China -> Japan
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Korea South Miyawaki Sakura
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

K-001.png
British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee
Lakota
Chinese(2023/11/05)
Indians
Japanese(2023/11/06)
Americans
Incas
Swedes(2023/10/27)
Ethiopia
Hausa
Mexico(2023/11/03)
Italy
Malta(2023/10/11)




Japan gave me 2k elo.
300f jap stolen from Wasasabi was quite fun.




Next is Hausa

Rus -> Malta -> Dutch -> Swe -> Mexico -> China -> Japan -> Hausa
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Korea South Miyawaki Sakura
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

K-001.png
British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee
Lakota
Chinese(2023/11/05)
Indians
Japanese(2023/11/06)
Americans
Incas
Swedes(2023/10/27)
Ethiopia
Hausa(2023/11/07)
Mexico(2023/11/03)
Italy
Malta(2023/10/11)




Hausa gave me 2k elo.
It was a good time to learn their weaknesses




Next is haud

Rus -> Malta -> Dutch -> Swe -> Mexico -> China -> Japan -> Hausa -> Haudenosaunee
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Korea South Miyawaki Sakura
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee(2023/11/14)
Lakota
Chinese(2023/11/05)
Indians
Japanese(2023/11/06)
Americans
Incas
Swedes(2023/10/27)
Ethiopia
Hausa(2023/11/07)
Mexico(2023/11/03)
Italy
Malta(2023/10/11)




Haud gave me 2k elo.
I was able to feel the power of ram





Next is India

Rus -> Malta -> Dutch -> Swe -> Mexico -> China -> Japan -> Hausa -> Haudenosaunee -> India
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

curry.jpg
British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee(2023/11/14)
Lakota
Chinese(2023/11/05)
Indians(2023/11/16)
Japanese(2023/11/06)
Americans
Incas
Swedes(2023/10/27)
Ethiopia
Hausa(2023/11/07)
Mexico(2023/11/03)
Italy
Malta(2023/10/11)




India gave me 2k elo.
plz stop nerfing sepoy (x1.75 vs cav wtf)






Next is Italy

Rus -> Malta -> Dutch -> Swe -> Mexico -> China -> Japan -> Hausa -> Haudenosaunee -> India -> Italy
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Korea South Miyawaki Sakura
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

키위 피자.jpg
British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee(2023/11/14)
Lakota
Chinese(2023/11/05)
Indians(2023/11/16)
Japanese(2023/11/06)
Americans
Incas
Swedes(2023/10/27)
Ethiopia
Hausa(2023/11/07)
Mexico(2023/11/03)
Italy(2023/11/19)
Malta(2023/10/11)




Italy gave me 2k elo.
Most of my opponents played greedy so i easily defeated them with papal lancers






Next is Otto

Rus -> Malta -> Dutch -> Swe -> Mexico -> China -> Japan -> Hausa -> Haudenosaunee -> India -> Italy -> Otto
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Korea South Miyawaki Sakura
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by Miyawaki Sakura »

케밥.jpg
British
Dutch(2023/10/27)
French
Germans
Ottomans(2023/11/23)
Portuguese
Russians(2023/09/19)
Spanish
Aztecs
Haudenosaunee(2023/11/14)
Lakota
Chinese(2023/11/05)
Indians(2023/11/16)
Japanese(2023/11/06)
Americans
Incas
Swedes(2023/10/27)
Ethiopia
Hausa(2023/11/07)
Mexico(2023/11/03)
Italy(2023/11/19)
Malta(2023/10/11)




Otto gave me 2k elo.
I think there are some mu impossible for Otto because the DE Balance team removed the tower ff(im kinda tower ff enjoyer)






Next is USA

Rus -> Malta -> Dutch -> Swe -> Mexico -> China -> Japan -> Hausa -> Haudenosaunee -> India -> Italy -> Otto -> USA
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

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Post by callentournies »

If I were a petal
And plucked, or moth, plucked
From flowers or pollen froth
To wither on a young child’s
Display. Fetch
Me a ribbon, they, all dead
Things scream.
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Latvia harcha
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Re: Introducing the "Play all Civs" challenge

Post by harcha »

that's interesting. i wonder if it will still be possible to stream from korea and use a twitch server from a different location
POC wrote:Also I most likely know a whole lot more than you.
POC wrote:Also as an objective third party, and near 100% accuracy of giving correct information, I would say my opinions are more reliable than yours.

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