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In this video, I break down a recent 1v1 ranked match that I had vs a House of Lancaster player on the ranked ladder in Age of Empires IV. I’m currently a Gold III player at the time of this recording.
I was playing as the House of Lancaster during this game. The purpose of this video is to analyze my gameplay. Take a look at the pros, cons and ultimately evaluate ways to improve. Feel free to like, follow, share, subscribe and comment below!
After watching my gameplay, feel free to check out the detailed stats below!
If you’ve ever played a mirror matchup in Age of Empires IV, you already know…
It gets messy.
This was a House of Lancaster vs House of Lancaster 1v1 ranked game, and honestly—it exposed a lot of bad habits in my gameplay.
I’m not a pro. I’m just grinding ranked, trying to improve, and figuring things out one mistake at a time.
And this game?
This one was full of mistakes.
Why Mirror Matchups Are So Hard
When both players are using the House of Lancaster, everything becomes more intense:
- Same economy tools (Manors)
- Same unit options
- Same scaling potential
The House of Lancaster is built around strong economy and defensive play, with Manors generating resources and supporting long-term scaling.
So instead of a clear advantage, the matchup becomes:
Who makes fewer mistakes?
And in my case… it wasn’t me.
My Biggest Problem: No Real Game Plan
Going into the match, I didn’t have a clear strategy.
I was:
- Reacting instead of planning
- Building randomly instead of intentionally
- Hoping things would “just work out”
That’s not a strategy.
That’s how you lose.
Early Game (0–8 Minutes) – Where I Fell Behind
What I Did Wrong
- Slow Manor setup
- Poor resource balance
- Weak scouting
I basically played the early game on autopilot.
And in a mirror matchup, that’s dangerous—because your opponent is likely doing the same things, just cleaner.
What I Should Be Doing
If you’re playing House of Lancaster (and trying to improve like me):
- Get Manors up quickly and efficiently
- Scout constantly—you need information
- Decide early: boom or pressure
Right now, I’m trying to do both—and failing at both.
Mid Game (8–16 Minutes) – The Turning Point
This is where I completely lost control of the game.
My Mistakes
- Floating resources instead of spending
- Not producing enough units
- Taking bad fights
I had the economy… but I didn’t use it.
What I’m Learning
In a Lancaster mirror, the mid game is everything:
- If you have resources → turn them into army immediately
- If you see weakness → apply pressure
- If nothing is happening → you’re probably falling behind
Because your opponent is scaling at the same time you are.
The Biggest Lesson: Macro Matters More Than You Think
I always thought fights were the problem.
But looking back?
It wasn’t just my fights—it was my macro.
- Idle resources
- Slow production
- No clear priorities
The House of Lancaster thrives on economy.
If you’re not using that advantage… you’re wasting the civ.
Late Game (16+ Minutes) – Where It Slips Away Fast
Mirror matchups in late game are brutal.
Why?
Because both players have:
- Strong economies
- Full production
- Similar armies
At that point, it comes down to:
- Decision-making
- Positioning
- Consistency
And if you’ve been making mistakes all game (like I did), they catch up to you here.
What I’m Working on Fixing
If you’re also an average player trying to improve, here’s what I’m focusing on:
1. Have a Clear Plan Every Game
No more “just winging it.”
2. Spend Resources Immediately
Floating resources = falling behind
3. Stop Taking Bad Fights
Not every fight is worth it
4. Keep Production Constant
If your buildings are idle, you’re losing
The Honest Truth About This Match
This wasn’t a close game.
This was a “don’t play like this again” kind of game.
But honestly?
Those are the games that help the most.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Like Me—Be Better
Mirror matchups aren’t about flashy plays.
They’re about:
- Clean execution
- Strong fundamentals
- Fewer mistakes
I’m still working on all of that.
If you are too, just remember:
You don’t need to play perfectly.
You just need to play a little better than your last game.
Overview
Timeline
Total Score
Military
Economy
Technology
Society
Age of Empires IV is a real-time strategy video game developed by Relic Entertainment in partnership with World’s Edge and published by Xbox Game Studios.
It is the fourth installment of the Age of Empires series, and the first installment not developed by Ensemble Studios. The game was released on October 28, 2021 for Windows, and on August 22, 2023 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
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