Didn't I mention in my post that I'm pro at 4v4 and 3v3 which are much different to 1v1? You're smart man.
patrols: http://aoczone.net/viewtopic.php?f=186&t=31833
base 1v1 strategy:
get full pop, when winning with pop advantage you wanna damage the enemy's gates and force him (with less pop) to attack your larger army.
you will VERY rarely have a big win in a fight if you patrol right and avoid the runners so it's all a game of whittling down the enemy until you can get the razes you need.
conversely, if you see that you are losing a fight, RUN HOME ASAP. RETREAT. save all units that you can
base 4v4 strategy:
TEAMWORK. help each other out. Give the archer civs (low raze) the razes so that they can wall themselves and then send a vill to wall you/your other allies.
don't waste units and give kills. don't give razes (unless there's no choice -- better to give razes than just feed the enemy)
understand what civ has what strength on your team, what weakness -- same for enemy team and make a gameplan of the best way to win the game (whether it's to rush and feed BUT take out one of the enemies, or just secure your lead and feed off them till you can kill with siege and pop, etc)
DO NOT play 1v1 style in team games. DON'T be a "hero" i.e. *****.
TEAMWORK is 55%
Player positions is 25% (i.e. celt ally being surrounded by teuton and persia enemy -- you raze and wall fast or you're dead)
Civs is 10%
Individual Skill (above say a decent 1800 level) is 10%