I previously posted the games of TheViper vs Daut in the Age of Empires 2 Escape Gaming Masters grand finals. Here I've pulled out some key moments in the coverage of game 1.
Right off the bat TheViper makes a grievous error with the placement of his initial lumber camp. The camp is badly blocked in by trees, causing a bottleneck of wood-delivering villagers at the small accessible portion. TheViper in effect has fewer villagers than he should, due to the accrued idle time. It does not take long for the difference to make itself felt, as he is left without the option of placing down a Dark Age rush ("drush") timing barracks:
Continue reading "[AoE2] Key commentary selections from EGM Grand Finals Game 1"
Tag: ZeroEmpires
[AoE2] Losing map control forces painful investment into towers
Here we have an Age of Empires 2: Rise of the Rajas match between top-tier players TheViper and Dogao, with commentary by ZeroEmpires and EscapeAoE. A few key moments in the commentary stood out.
Suffering from economic raiding, TheViper identifies cost-effective spots for watchtower placement. One tower in particular stands out as being in range to protecting three different resource patches, apparently netting good value from the wood and stone invested in the structure:
Unfortunately for TheViper, Dogao's harassment is able to continue due to a vulnerable angle and an exposed second wood patch. TheViper is forced to invest in more defensive watchtowers on a small tree cluster that will be quickly exhausted. Down the line, the opportunity cost of constructing those towers will hurt, as villagers mining stone for towers are not gathering food or gold for teching up:
Suffering from economic raiding, TheViper identifies cost-effective spots for watchtower placement. One tower in particular stands out as being in range to protecting three different resource patches, apparently netting good value from the wood and stone invested in the structure:
Unfortunately for TheViper, Dogao's harassment is able to continue due to a vulnerable angle and an exposed second wood patch. TheViper is forced to invest in more defensive watchtowers on a small tree cluster that will be quickly exhausted. Down the line, the opportunity cost of constructing those towers will hurt, as villagers mining stone for towers are not gathering food or gold for teching up:
[AoE2] Early and midgame commentary selections
YouTuber ZeroEmpires provides insightful Age of Empires II coverage on a game between players Skittles and Melkor. The whole cast is great, but here are a few moments of especially clear presentation.
First an assessment of Skittle's unfortunate spawn location:
The open terrain around Skittle's base enabled early harassment that in turn contributed to an economic advantage for Melkor:
Melkor's larger and safer economy is invested in an army size and upgrade advantage which in turn is used to keep some pressure against Skittle's awkward home terrain, preserving Melkor's economic advantage:
Melkor takes a cost-efficient tactical shot with a well-chosen armor upgrade to enable raiding under watchtowers. Skittles continues to lose gathering time with his villagers:
First an assessment of Skittle's unfortunate spawn location:
The open terrain around Skittle's base enabled early harassment that in turn contributed to an economic advantage for Melkor:
Melkor's larger and safer economy is invested in an army size and upgrade advantage which in turn is used to keep some pressure against Skittle's awkward home terrain, preserving Melkor's economic advantage:
Melkor takes a cost-efficient tactical shot with a well-chosen armor upgrade to enable raiding under watchtowers. Skittles continues to lose gathering time with his villagers: