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In this video, I break down a recent 1v1 ranked match that I had vs a Knights Templar 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 been grinding 1v1 ranked in Age of Empires IV, you’ve probably run into the matchup: House of Lancaster vs Knights Templar.
I’m not a pro—far from it. I’m still learning, improving, and honestly making a lot of mistakes along the way. But that’s exactly why this breakdown matters.
Because this isn’t theory… this is what actually happens in ranked.
Why This Matchup Feels So Difficult
Both civs are strong—but in very different ways.
The House of Lancaster thrives on:
- Passive economy from Manors
- Strong defensive play
- Scaling into powerful late-game armies
Meanwhile, the Knights Templar focuses on:
- Map control through Sacred Sites
- Unique Commanderie bonuses
- Strong defensive structures and elite units
So what happens?
You get a matchup where:
- One player wants to boom safely
- The other wants to control the map and scale differently
And if you’re like me… it’s easy to misplay this.
My Biggest Realization (After Playing This Match)
I used to think:
“If I just play standard and don’t mess up, I’ll win.”
Yeah… that’s not how this matchup works.
The truth is:
If you let either of these civs do their thing uncontested—you lose.
- Let Lancaster boom? You get outscaled
- Let Templar control Sacred Sites? You fall behind in gold
And I’ve lost games to both scenarios.
Early Game Strategy (0–8 Minutes)
What I Did Wrong
In my match, I played too passive early.
I focused only on my economy and didn’t:
- Scout properly
- Apply pressure
- React to what my opponent was doing
That’s a problem.
What I’m Learning to Do Instead
If you’re playing House of Lancaster:
- Get your Manors up early (this is your core strength)
- Scout Sacred Sites immediately
- Apply light pressure—not all-in, just enough to disrupt
Why?
Because Templar players want time to:
- Set up Commanderies
- Start generating gold through Pilgrims
- Lock down the map
If you don’t interfere, you’re already behind.
Mid Game Is Where Games Are Won (Or Lost)
This is where I felt the game slipping away.
My Mistake
I waited too long to make a move.
I had:
- A solid economy
- Decent production
But I wasn’t doing anything with it.
What Actually Works
From what I’ve learned (and what better players do):
- Hit a timing push before Templar fully stabilizes
- Target map control—not just fights
- Deny Sacred Sites whenever possible
Templar defenses are strong, but they take time to set up.
If you let them reach that point, it gets much harder to break them.
Late Game Reality Check
Here’s the honest truth:
I don’t win many late games in this matchup… yet.
Why?
Because both civs scale incredibly well:
- Lancaster gets insane eco from Manors
- Templar builds fortified positions with strong units
At that stage, it becomes less about strategy and more about:
- Execution
- Positioning
- Decision-making
And that’s where I’m still improving.
What the Community Is Saying (And Why It Matters)
From what I’ve seen in discussions, a lot of players struggle against Lancaster’s economy.
“Manor boom… you are still severely behind.”
That stuck with me.
Because it explains why passive play doesn’t work in this matchup.
If you’re not actively doing something, you’re probably losing.
Key Mistakes I’m Working to Fix
❌ Playing Too Passive
You can’t just sit back in this matchup.
❌ Ignoring Map Control
Sacred Sites matter—a lot.
❌ Not Using My Economy Advantage
Having more resources means nothing if you don’t use them.
The Simple Game Plan I’m Trying to Follow Now
If you’re also learning like me, here’s what I’m focusing on:
- Strong early Manor setup
- Scout and track Sacred Sites
- Apply mid-game pressure (don’t wait)
- Force reactions instead of reacting
It’s not perfect—but it’s already helping.
Final Thoughts: This Matchup Isn’t About Being Perfect
I used to think I needed flawless execution.
Now I realize:
I just need to make fewer bad decisions than my opponent.
That’s it.
If you’re an average player trying to improve like me:
- You’re going to mess up
- You’re going to lose games
- But every match teaches you something
And this matchup?
It teaches you fast.
Overview
Timeline
Total Score
Military
Economy
Technology
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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