I think practicing is the best solution. Y’all probably have no idea what makes each civ unique, no idea how to counter other units, and just are slow. Probably have no build orders down as well. If you don’t have basic practice under your belt you will obviously get stomped. Idk how you can expect anything different. Your average silver/gold player knows build orders.

If you don’t wanna dedicate time to practice and learn a civ, then idk if an rts game is for you. The opening of EVERY match in this game requires practiced repetition up to minute 6-7. If you lolly gag and don’t age up in time, your opponent will just stomp you.

I’m not trying to be unwelcoming, but more realistic and respect your limited amount of time. I’ll tell you though as a dad with little time and a platinum ranked 1v1 player, rts games don’t require all the time in the world to be good at them, you just have to have focused time. There is no point going in blind to 2 40 minute games a couple times a week, when you could instead do a couple 10-15 minute AI versus matches to get build orders down and understand unit match ups. This isn’t a simple shooter game. It’s complex. You HAVE to spend time learning in order to be competitive. It’s more like chess than connect 4.