Скачать или смотреть Age of Empires IV The Byzantines versus the Knights Templar

Byzantines: Masters of Adaptation and Greek Fire
The Byzantines, a civilization centered around their intricate Aqueduct network and access to a diverse array of mercenaries, bring a unique flavor to the battlefield.
Strengths:
Olive Oil and Mercenaries: Their unique Olive Oil resource allows them to hire mercenaries from the Mercenary House starting in the Feudal Age. This provides incredible flexibility, enabling them to adapt their army composition to counter their opponent's units effectively. Imagine fielding Varangian Guards against heavy infantry or Alan Lancers against cavalry.
Aqueduct Network: The Cisterns and Aqueducts not only boost resource gathering but can also enhance unit production speed, research speed, or building defense depending on the toggled mode and connections. This allows for a well-rounded and adaptable economy and defense.
Greek Fire: Their naval Dromons and siege Trebuchets can unleash devastating Greek Fire, dealing area-of-effect damage over time, which can be particularly effective against clustered Templar infantry.
Cataphracts: Replacing the Knight, the heavily armored Cataphracts are formidable heavy cavalry, especially potent with their trampling charge.
Weaknesses:
Reliance on Olive Oil: Their mercenary strategy hinges on a steady supply of Olive Oil, which requires careful management of Olive Groves and other generation methods.
Mercenary Cost: While versatile, mercenaries cost Olive Oil, requiring a balanced economy to field them effectively in large numbers.
Vulnerability to Specific Counters: While they have a wide array of units, specific mercenary choices might still have hard counters from the Templar roster.
Knights Templar: Defenders of the Holy Land
The Knights Templar, a variant of the French civilization, are characterized by their strong defensive capabilities, powerful heavy infantry, and unique Pilgrimage mechanic.
Strengths:
Fortresses: Replacing Keeps and available in the Feudal Age, Fortresses provide increased range for nearby units and boost the health of stone walls in their influence. They act as defensive anchors and can guide Pilgrims.
Templar Brothers: This elite heavy cavalry unit is exceptionally durable and deals significant damage, making them a powerful force on the battlefield.
Pilgrimage: Generating gold by sending Pilgrims to Sacred Sites, the Templars have a unique economic engine that rewards map control and can fuel their military endeavors. The number of Pilgrims increases with the number of Fortresses.
Defensive Bonuses: Lumberjacks gather faster with each Age, and Siege Workshops and Siege Engines cost less wood, aiding in establishing strong defenses and siege capabilities.
Weaknesses:
No Gunpowder Units: In the Imperial Age, the Templars lack gunpowder units, potentially limiting their options against heavily armored Byzantine units or well-defended positions.
Reliance on Sacred Sites: Their gold generation is tied to controlling Sacred Sites, making them vulnerable if these sites are heavily contested or denied.
Predictable Age-Ups: Their Commanderie system for aging up, while granting unique units and bonuses, might become predictable once an opponent scouts their choice.
Potential Battle Dynamics
The matchup could see the Byzantines leveraging their early mercenary options to harass Templar Pilgrims or Fortresses. Byzantine Horsemen, especially with the extra damage upgrade against villagers/trade, could be effective at disrupting the Templar economy in the early game.
The Templars would likely focus on establishing early Fortresses to secure Sacred Sites and build a strong defensive line. Their Templar Brothers can be a significant threat to Byzantine cavalry and infantry alike. However, the Byzantines' Limitanei and Javelin Throwers could potentially kite and deal with Templar infantry if positioned carefully.
As the game progresses, the Byzantines' access to Greek Fire from Dromons could be crucial in naval engagements or in sieging Templar coastal settlements. Their Trebuchets with Greek Fire emplacements could also pose a significant threat to Templar Fortresses. The Byzantines' ability to field a diverse array of mercenaries, like the powerful Varangian Guard against Templar infantry or the speedy Stradiots for raiding, will be key to countering the Templar composition.
The Templars, lacking gunpowder, would need to rely on their strong melee units, siege, and potentially allied unique units unlocked through Commanderies to deal with late-game Byzantine threats like the Cataphracts and siege. The strategic placement of Fortresses and the control of Sacred Sites will be paramount for their success.