Many of us who play frequently in the Zone have noticed that in ROR games, especially on Mediterranean and Continental maps, control of seas is absolutely essential to winning games. Perhaps it has become too important?
Control of the seas provides four (and one not-so) critical advantages:
1) A constant food supply that speeds up bronze and iron times by several minutes and eliminates the need for farming.
2) It allows you to make multiple peons at once in stone and tool, that is, if you subscribe to fish boat = peon cult.
3) Opponent cannot transport or make crossings without taking heavy losses. Consequently, you can transport and invade your opponent's land much more easily.
4) All resources near the seas must be abandoned by the opponent.
5) Trading is next to impossible unless you find a "cove."
The importance of seas has manifested itself in the all-woodie tool strategy where control of the seas is the sole objective. Now I know that, except on islands and some coastal maps, the seas were largely neglected in AOE. And I know that Rome fought many of its battles on the seas (duh! Italy has its fair share of coastline).
But I guess what I am asking is this: Have the seas become too important in ROR or do most players like it?
Personally I wish they were a bit less critical as I hate starting every Medit. and Cont. game knowing I must devote oodles of my attention time to controlling the seas. Maybe it's just me.
-- Prince Bolkonsky