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I'm 8 minutes in and the presentation level is astounding. And with the red-bull sponsorship I'm sure this has got a bit of the cash behind it to keep such a gr

I'm 8 minutes in and the presentation level is astounding. And with the red-bull sponsorship I'm sure this has got a bit of the cash behind it to keep such a great presentation. Thanks for the link, I will definitely keep an eye out for this. I'll be watching the rest of this video through the day I think.

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dragontamer 4y ago
I think the biggest difference from Starcraft vs AoE2 is that AoE2 has random maps. So while a map archetype has preset elements (ex: Arabia always has 8 sheep, 2 boars, 6 berries, 4-woodlines, 3 gold groups and 2 stone groups near your start), you don't actually know where they are. Both players also start in a somewhat random position (players know the general area to scout), but the game is one of discovery. You need to scout the map, understand and explore, and then decide where to place strategic castles (or other defensive buildings), and where / how you'll fight. ------- Beyond that, AoE2 has a lot of bonus damage, especially compared to Starcraft. A Halberdier normally 6 damage, but will deal +32 bonus damage vs Cavalry (for a total of 38). Unit matchups are therefore more complex than Starcraft (sure, there's bonuses like Banelings vs light armor, or Immortals vs armored enemies), but nothing quite as gross as the bonus damage you have to memorize. (Skirmishers beat Archers. Scouts beat monks. Halberdier beats cavalry. Swordmen beat trash)
- kcexn 4y ago
  I really think that the randomised maps definitely add a component of strategy and depth to AoE2 I definitely don't think that unit matchups are more complex than in Starcraft, there are simply more interactions and possible matchups than starcraft because of the larger number of different units. Starcraft's heavy emphasis on execution and APM means that very subtle changes to units can dramatically change matchups. Environmental positioning, micro management of units, healing, flanking etc. All change engagement outcomes. AoEs damage bonuses are easier to understand and requires less practise and expertise to squeeze every last point of damage out. I'd love to see a version of Starcraft that has randomised maps instead of the fixed rotation that we currently have. It'd make playing at lower levels more fun since smart thinking would play a heavier role than rote memorization of build orders and times. And at high levels of play I think we'd see more exciting clutch moments as the best players with the best execution improvise their way through fights. Unfortunately it would mean that the tight balance between all the different units in Starcraft would necessarily be relaxed and made more resilient to small changes. Right now, whenever new map rotations are introduced, some maps are considered unbalanced because small variations in widths of bridges or placements of obstacles favour one race over others.

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dragontamer 4y ago

I think the biggest difference from Starcraft vs AoE2 is that AoE2 has random maps. So while a map archetype has preset elements (ex: Arabia always has 8 sheep, 2 boars, 6 berries, 4-woodlines, 3 gold groups and 2 stone groups near your start), you don't actually know where they are. Both players also start in a somewhat random position (players know the general area to scout), but the game is one of discovery. You need to scout the map, understand and explore, and then decide where to place strategic castles (or other defensive buildings), and where / how you'll fight. ------- Beyond that, AoE2 has a lot of bonus damage, especially compared to Starcraft. A Halberdier normally 6 damage, but will deal +32 bonus damage vs Cavalry (for a total of 38). Unit matchups are therefore more complex than Starcraft (sure, there's bonuses like Banelings vs light armor, or Immortals vs armored enemies), but nothing quite as gross as the bonus damage you have to memorize. (Skirmishers beat Archers. Scouts beat monks. Halberdier beats cavalry. Swordmen beat trash)

kcexn 4y ago
I really think that the randomised maps definitely add a component of strategy and depth to AoE2 I definitely don't think that unit matchups are more complex than in Starcraft, there are simply more interactions and possible matchups than starcraft because of the larger number of different units. Starcraft's heavy emphasis on execution and APM means that very subtle changes to units can dramatically change matchups. Environmental positioning, micro management of units, healing, flanking etc. All change engagement outcomes. AoEs damage bonuses are easier to understand and requires less practise and expertise to squeeze every last point of damage out. I'd love to see a version of Starcraft that has randomised maps instead of the fixed rotation that we currently have. It'd make playing at lower levels more fun since smart thinking would play a heavier role than rote memorization of build orders and times. And at high levels of play I think we'd see more exciting clutch moments as the best players with the best execution improvise their way through fights. Unfortunately it would mean that the tight balance between all the different units in Starcraft would necessarily be relaxed and made more resilient to small changes. Right now, whenever new map rotations are introduced, some maps are considered unbalanced because small variations in widths of bridges or placements of obstacles favour one race over others.