Every map has civs which are dominant on it. As the meta is shifted around Arabia, most maps have only 2-4 civs that feel level above others. Using TTL maps as an example, Shoals is for Ita, Nomad - Spanish, Malians, Portuguese, Arena - Turks, Bengalis, Bohemians, Cross - Japanese, Byzantines, Lithuanians, Italians etc. Even worse case would be Kilimanjaro, where Gurjaras seems so far better than any other civ. Going back to Arabia, even there 90% of top players would agree China is the best civ, but at least there are 10 other civs that aren't that much worse. That creates ton of repetivive matchups. And when everyone pretty much already knows how Turks vs Bohemians will play out on Arena and then the game goes like that it's not too exciting.
Recently we had different draft in Arena tournament and I have to say it worked better than any civ draft. You randomly generate smaller sum of civs and the civ draft will only feature those. Like this. This can even be done for every single set. In my ideal scenario this randomizer will be added to aoe2cm - the website where aoe drafts happen. Players do the map draft as usual. Then they go to civ draft, both click rdy (to make sure everything is fair and at the same time for both) and the randomizer will generate the sum of civs (for TTL Group Stage that would be 14) and creates civ draft with those civs for players. Same as in TTL, they can both ban 2 civs each, then pick the remaining 10 civs. If using that, I'd also add 1 snipe for each player at the end.
+ Adds variability. Keeps creating unique matchups for every single set.
+ Forces players to be more creative with their picks and even strategies.
+ Rewards knowledge of different straegies and different civs on different maps. Players right now don't need to be Nomad/Arena specialists to perform well on those maps in tournaments. Learn 1 BO with 1/2 powerful civs, stick to it. Wouldn't be possible anymore.
+ The civ draft will be more entertaining. Right now, casters + viewers mostly know which civ is for which map the moment those are picked and there isn't too much to talk about. However, when player has 4-5 civs for 3 maps and none of his civs would be even top10 on any of the 3 maps, it's more challenging and interesting.
- 'Removes part of map/civ preparation.' Although, this preparation is IMO substituted by experience and knowledge. In the end, the preparation with testing different civs on given maps is very rewarded.
- 'It can lead to unfair matchups.' Yes, but both players would have global bans, both players have ideally snipe in the end aswell. If despite all of that someone ends vs Spanish on Nomad, it's his fault. I think it's actually even better for diverse map tournaments than for 1 map tournaments.
- 'Prolongs the draft.' Talking about ideal scenario where this is part of aoe2cm, not really. The randomizer can create the draft with 10/12/14 civs instantly, the only downside would be that players might need 2-3 minutes to think about the civs. I could see it as players click rdy - randomizer generates civs - 2 min countdown - draft starts. In the end, the actual civ draft usually went faster, because there's less civs to think about, so less decisions.
- Someone has program it. In our tournament, we were using duck race to determine the civs for each round. We're in 21st century though.
- 'But I want to see Bohemians vs Turks BBC micro for the 50th time.' Jk, none thinks like that.
Recently we had different draft in Arena tournament and I have to say it worked better than any civ draft. You randomly generate smaller sum of civs and the civ draft will only feature those. Like this. This can even be done for every single set. In my ideal scenario this randomizer will be added to aoe2cm - the website where aoe drafts happen. Players do the map draft as usual. Then they go to civ draft, both click rdy (to make sure everything is fair and at the same time for both) and the randomizer will generate the sum of civs (for TTL Group Stage that would be 14) and creates civ draft with those civs for players. Same as in TTL, they can both ban 2 civs each, then pick the remaining 10 civs. If using that, I'd also add 1 snipe for each player at the end.
+ Adds variability. Keeps creating unique matchups for every single set.
+ Forces players to be more creative with their picks and even strategies.
+ Rewards knowledge of different straegies and different civs on different maps. Players right now don't need to be Nomad/Arena specialists to perform well on those maps in tournaments. Learn 1 BO with 1/2 powerful civs, stick to it. Wouldn't be possible anymore.
+ The civ draft will be more entertaining. Right now, casters + viewers mostly know which civ is for which map the moment those are picked and there isn't too much to talk about. However, when player has 4-5 civs for 3 maps and none of his civs would be even top10 on any of the 3 maps, it's more challenging and interesting.
- 'Removes part of map/civ preparation.' Although, this preparation is IMO substituted by experience and knowledge. In the end, the preparation with testing different civs on given maps is very rewarded.
- 'It can lead to unfair matchups.' Yes, but both players would have global bans, both players have ideally snipe in the end aswell. If despite all of that someone ends vs Spanish on Nomad, it's his fault. I think it's actually even better for diverse map tournaments than for 1 map tournaments.
- 'Prolongs the draft.' Talking about ideal scenario where this is part of aoe2cm, not really. The randomizer can create the draft with 10/12/14 civs instantly, the only downside would be that players might need 2-3 minutes to think about the civs. I could see it as players click rdy - randomizer generates civs - 2 min countdown - draft starts. In the end, the actual civ draft usually went faster, because there's less civs to think about, so less decisions.
- Someone has program it. In our tournament, we were using duck race to determine the civs for each round. We're in 21st century though.
- 'But I want to see Bohemians vs Turks BBC micro for the 50th time.' Jk, none thinks like that.
Last edited: