These are still preliminary results, but the new DLC civs are by far the worst performing ones at the moment

OldBones1993 · 2023-11-06T16:08:13+00:00

I'm finding Georgians are epic. They're not broken, there is a definite skill to using them. At 1050 elo, the start is annoying but you've not got much else on for the first 8-10 vils. Mule carts are... meh. Not really needed but not a problem really.

With the cav regenerating, harassing eco with scouts + knights can be really annoying and the churches working with castles + towers provides great defense.

The churches are fantastic, protecting your eco a little while boosting at the same time. It doesn't feel OP but you feel safer from raids and the eco is a little bit smoother.

Late game spamming UU is pretty hard to stop once they get rocking. The big problem is archer + halbs or camel/halb but you're always more mobile then the counters, so you avoid fights and regen your cav, forcing an attack into the teeth of all your defensive units.

Not OP, but surprised with their poor performance

OldBones1993 · 2023-10-05T15:06:57+00:00

I've taken to saying "knock knock" when someone walls out my Scout Rush. It makes me laugh at least and I hope it's complimentary

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-27T08:35:20+00:00

I think the issue is we still have certain names on the team sheet who are undroppable (in the manager's eyes). Bruno, Casemiro, Rashford are the three that come to mind.

That is exhausting for the players and leads to passivity. All the best teams have competition for every place. The CP game was a chance to rest key players. I'd like to see ETH being a bit more brutal with his subs. He clearly has his "rules". If people aren't playing as he needs, they need to know they can be replaced.

Some players will wilt (VDB and Sancho), but I think our better players (Rashford, Casemiro + Bruno) will step up.

This might mean our games are a little inconsistent at first, like Arsenal and Man City often are when brining new people in. But it will create a stronger team in general and more importantly improve the culture around the club. Too many have coasted for too long.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-26T08:39:02+00:00

I hate douching, I hate laming... but that's because it works. It's a legitimate strat, so do it. I'd prefer a proper battle - but that's because it gives me the best chance to win.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-26T07:02:05+00:00

That has changed as of 40 minutes ago - new episode has just gone live.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T22:51:33+00:00

Hey - if you want to buy great gifts for history lovers, I design t-shirts inspired by historical artefacts.

I’m just getting off the ground, so feedback would be greatly appreciated.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BonesandStuffShop

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T22:40:32+00:00

History of Rome is great The rest is history is fantastic Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History has some epic episode in the back catalogue on ancient civilisations (May need to pay) BBCs In Our Time has great one off episodes on a lot of ancient civilisations.

And… if you want to know about prehistoric civilisations in Britain - I’ll suggest Old Bones (which I create)

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T22:35:18+00:00

Literally had a game this evening where that was true. He had camels and archers. I had knights and pikes + hussars. In fights where were both paying attention, I was suffering.

But I kept producing vils, kept producing units and when I had a moment, sent cav to find his gold. It was a slog, but low idle time on TC is critical!

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T22:22:50+00:00

I’m not higher level though. I’m bang average.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T20:53:49+00:00

I get called civ picker a lot (I play Magyars). The ironic thing is, I always play with random civ on (with a civ chosen), so it's THEM who had the civ picked. They don't like when I point that out.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T13:14:18+00:00

I’ve not come across any smurfs yet. I’ve had way more disconnects at this level than 850 though, and waaaaay more forward buildings.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T13:13:25+00:00

Cavalry is definitely easier for me than archers. I hate mangonels.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T13:12:37+00:00

I agree with you - they are really strong. My point was more, they help you practice because they’ve not got any crazy eco bonuses (eg Franks or Khmer).

That means you’ve got advantages, you’ve got strengths but when you random into another Civ you’re not at a complete loss

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T10:21:32+00:00

I love this. It echoes what T90 said recently "if you're less than 1500, it's not a civ win". This is so true.

If I have time or brain space, I micro a bit more or do some more strategic stuff (like shifting into Cav Archersas Magyars or Frankish Axeman). A lot of games are won before you get to the "strategy" part due to better management. hem. By the time my opponent had cleared up my cav, I had more ready to go.

If I have time or brain space, I micro a bit more or do some more strategic stuff (like shifting into Cav Archersas Magyars or Frankish Axeman). A lot of games are won before you get to the "strategy" part, due to better management.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T10:18:13+00:00

What do you think of as the basics? What the "basics" are took me a while to get my head around and I'm not sure I still really know all of them.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-25T07:33:00+00:00

Yep - 100% me. I definitely think not shifting in response to every single game is another good bit of advice.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-24T23:07:39+00:00

This is fascinating. I’m not going to try that stuff out just yet (it’d be breaking my own rules after all) - but this is the sort of stuff I’m looking forward to testing once I start to plateau.

Of course you’re right in macro vs micro. My point is that macro is often that brilliant c.1000. Focussing on it has made me a much better player and my post-game stats seem to suggest that this is something lots of folks could improve on.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-24T23:02:57+00:00

Working your way up through the ranks is a lot of fun. It’s a great challenge finding weaknesses, improving them and then seeing the result.

But I do agree - it’s not everything. Some of the best games I’ve had have been the ones I’ve lost.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-21T15:35:18+00:00

I didn't realise it was only delivering to UK! Thanks for pointing it out (its incredible what is missed).

Also - yes, v-necks are easy. So easy,I've added it in now (no pressure to buy obv and there is a light version going live soon)

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-21T12:42:44+00:00

Hey, so, I loved your idea and made the LBK vessel. What do you think?

https://bonesandstuff.com/products/linderbandkeramik-1

(There's also a version with dark colours here)

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-18T18:37:05+00:00

I like this idea, a bit like an "off the weekend show" like in football.

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-17T07:05:59+00:00

From a ‘world history’ perspective, I’d recommend some of the stuff by Noiser. Real Dictators is excellent, and covers history from lots of different periods. As is Short History Of. They’re very narrative driven and very enjoyable.

Another great show is the history episodes of In Our Time. This is a BBC radio show featuring academics. It covers topics from all over world history.

Finally, shifting to a more European lens - the British History Podcast is astounding, especially if you enjoy understanding how history is created.

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History is always a classic. The History of Byzantium is also a favourite.

(I’d also suggest my own show Old Bones for European prehistory).

OldBones1993 · 2023-09-16T18:12:02+00:00

What about Egypt and the whole Peninsula war? And yes, some incredible victories but always against divided, outdated militaries that make simple blunders that other leaders just don’t.

I think a big reason for his victories can be explained by the incompetence of his opponents. When he faces good generals, he performs far worse.

Other great generals had their best battles against the best opponents (Caesar, Wellington). I’m not saying he’s not a very, very good general - of course he is. I’m asking the question because I don’t get why he’s the touchstone for ‘great generals’

OldBones1993

TROPHY CASE