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In this video, I break down a recent 1v1 ranked match that I had vs a Abbasid Dynasty 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!
I don’t run into this matchup often.
So when I queued into a House of Lancaster vs Abbasid Dynasty 1v1 ranked game, I honestly didn’t feel fully prepared.
And it showed.
I’m not a high-level player—I’m still learning, still improving, and still making mistakes. But this match taught me something important:
When you don’t understand a matchup, small mistakes become big problems fast.
The Abbasid Dynasty plays very differently compared to most civs.
They rely heavily on:
- The House of Wisdom (their core mechanic)
- Golden Age bonuses that improve eco and production
- Flexible upgrades that scale over time
They also have access to Camel Archers and Camel Riders, which are designed to counter cavalry and control fights effectively
So instead of explosive early aggression, they:
Scale, adapt, and out-efficiency you over time.
And if you’re not ready for that—it’s a problem.
What Makes House of Lancaster Strong (And Why I Didn’t Use It Well)
The House of Lancaster is built around:
- Strong economy through Manors
- Defensive stability
- Late-game scaling potential
On paper, this should match well against Abbasid.
But here’s the issue:
Having a strong economy doesn’t matter if you don’t use it properly.
And that’s where I struggled.
Early Game (0–8 Minutes) – Lack of Understanding Hurt Me
My Biggest Problem: Uncertainty
Because I don’t face Abbasid often, I wasn’t sure:
- Should I pressure early?
- Should I play defensive?
- Should I rush or scale?
So instead…
I did a bit of everything—and none of it well.
What I’m Learning
If you’re in the same spot as me, here’s what actually makes sense:
- Focus on clean Manor setup early
- Scout the Abbasid base constantly
- Watch for their House of Wisdom progression
Because their power comes from scaling—not early pressure.
Mid Game (8–16 Minutes) – Where I Fell Behind
This is where the matchup really started slipping away.
My Mistakes
- I let Abbasid scale freely
- I didn’t pressure their economy
- I didn’t contest map control
And that’s exactly what they want.
What I Should Be Doing
From what I’ve learned:
- Apply mid-game pressure before Golden Age scaling kicks in
- Force fights on your terms
- Don’t let them sit comfortably
Because once Abbasid hits full efficiency, they become very hard to deal with.
The Big Problem: I Played Too Passive
This is a recurring issue in my games.
I tend to:
- Sit back too much
- Wait too long to attack
- Assume I’ll “outscale”
But against Abbasid?
That doesn’t work.
They are literally designed to:
- Scale faster
- Produce more efficiently
- Outlast you
Late Game (16+ Minutes) – It Gets Even Harder
Once Abbasid is fully set up:
- Their economy is efficient
- Their production is faster
- Their army is well-rounded
At that point, the game becomes much harder to win.
And if you didn’t create pressure earlier (like me)… you’re stuck playing from behind.
What I’m Trying to Improve Moving Forward
If you’re an average player like me, here’s what I’m focusing on:
1. Learn the Matchup Before It Happens
Not knowing what your opponent does is a huge disadvantage.
2. Stop Playing Passive by Default
Just because your civ scales doesn’t mean you should wait.
3. Apply Pressure Earlier
Even small pressure makes a difference.
4. Have a Clear Plan
Going into a game without a plan is basically hoping to win.
The Honest Truth About This Game
This wasn’t just a mechanics issue.
It was a knowledge gap.
I didn’t fully understand:
- Abbasid timing
- Their win condition
- When I needed to act
And that cost me the game.
Final Thoughts: Rare Matchups Expose Weaknesses Fast
Games like this are frustrating—but they’re also valuable.
Because they show you exactly what you don’t know.
I’m not trying to be perfect.
I’m just trying to:
- Understand matchups better
- Make smarter decisions
- And improve one game at a time
If you’re in the same position, just keep playing—and keep learning.
Overview
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Economy
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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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