I keep getting beat by this guy who plays the same way every game. I've attempted different strategies to counter him to no avail, however - early bronze attacking (with Egyptian chariots) seemed to be the closet I've come so far to beating him or hurting him real bad. We always play Hill Country on a gigantic map with 200 population - so figure that into your advice. Let me tell you what he does every game and maybe somebody can give me some advice on civs, strategies, tactics to wipe him out:
WHAT HE ALWAYS DOES:
1) Picks Assyrian and booms. Has maybe 70 villagers in early iron.
2) Builds chariot archers almost exclusively and mixes in a few cats. He's probably got 100 of those dumb 2 wheeled arrow-carts within the first half hour of the game.
3) He never attacks my town but sends out groups of 10 vils with CAs for escort to collect all of the gold on the map.
4) Quickly builds an elaborate second (towered) town in the middle of the map.
5) Leaves his main town only moderately protected - not tons of towers. He counts on recalling his CAs to help if he gets attacked.
WHAT HE NEVER DOES:
1) Never makes preists.
2) Never builds walls.
3) Never makes ballistas, camels, cav, HA.
4) Also never makes scythes or any barracks units.
I am playing this guy again this weekend - I must beat him! My honor is at stake :-) Any advice would be appreciated.
--AxemanJim