hi,
TL; DR: late up is a better boom to imp, though obviously lacks the map control of the early up build.
I was watching Survivalist's stream, when he mentioned that Malay should go up 20 pop for the best boom. I figured I'd test this. Not sure if anyone else has already done it -- if so, I apologize.
I tried this boom on Arena vs Standard difficulty AI, Single Player, with an early feudal and wheelbarrow, double-bit axe / horse collar, or the late feudal build. I went 5 TC boom in both cases. For the late up to feudal build, I went 4 TC upon reaching castle, whereas for the early up to feudal, I went 3 TC + 2 later. 1 TC made on stone in both cases. I researched all relevant eco ups (only lacking second stone up). I did not try take relics until way later (for the early feudal up build only).
The end result was that I had a 200 score advantage (at 4993 score, 28:01 game time) with the late feudal build by the time I hit imp with 133 vills and a castle up. 1k6 wood, 1k8 food, 1k7 gold, 300 stone in the bank. Castle 15:07, Imperial 27:56.
With the early feudal build, I had the same setup more or less except for the slight score disadvantage. 4793 score, 27:54 game time. 129 vills, castle up. 1k3 wood, 800 food, 1k6 gold, 200 stone in the bank. Castle age 15:53, Imperial 27:37. I also collected 1 relic.
So I probably made the wrong choice researching wheelbarrow so fast (at 25 pop), but I was housed lol. Also, for the fast feudal vill, I forgot about the 2nd boar until late in feudal age. Also, I think I executed the boom better in the 2nd game (where I went for the late feudal build). My idea was to advance to feudal as quick as possible with the fast feudal while being able to afford double-bit axe and horse collar instantly, and then hit castle as soon as possible to start the boom instantly. With the late feudal build, I tried to go up on a population that would allow me to make 4tcs instantly with most eco ups, and I was able to do that.
So clearly I was floating 1500 more resources with the late feudal build choice -- it seems fair to say the 31+2 or similar is a stronger boom despite my bad execution of the fast feudal (22+10, WB) build. As to which you would choose in a real game, honestly I would not do either -- 30 + 2 into scouts + monks + 3TC ASAP seems a better move in general but that's personal preference as I generally don't go straight boom in games. I guess some strange build like 27 + 6 with scouts added quick could be a nice strategy if you expect, say, a forward castle drop or smush to come your way. Or if you are afraid of a trush, go 22+10 maybe, or if you really expect to get a lucky scout snipe you can do 22+10.
TL; DR: late up is a better boom to imp, though obviously lacks the map control of the early up build.
I was watching Survivalist's stream, when he mentioned that Malay should go up 20 pop for the best boom. I figured I'd test this. Not sure if anyone else has already done it -- if so, I apologize.
I tried this boom on Arena vs Standard difficulty AI, Single Player, with an early feudal and wheelbarrow, double-bit axe / horse collar, or the late feudal build. I went 5 TC boom in both cases. For the late up to feudal build, I went 4 TC upon reaching castle, whereas for the early up to feudal, I went 3 TC + 2 later. 1 TC made on stone in both cases. I researched all relevant eco ups (only lacking second stone up). I did not try take relics until way later (for the early feudal up build only).
The end result was that I had a 200 score advantage (at 4993 score, 28:01 game time) with the late feudal build by the time I hit imp with 133 vills and a castle up. 1k6 wood, 1k8 food, 1k7 gold, 300 stone in the bank. Castle 15:07, Imperial 27:56.
With the early feudal build, I had the same setup more or less except for the slight score disadvantage. 4793 score, 27:54 game time. 129 vills, castle up. 1k3 wood, 800 food, 1k6 gold, 200 stone in the bank. Castle age 15:53, Imperial 27:37. I also collected 1 relic.
So I probably made the wrong choice researching wheelbarrow so fast (at 25 pop), but I was housed lol. Also, for the fast feudal vill, I forgot about the 2nd boar until late in feudal age. Also, I think I executed the boom better in the 2nd game (where I went for the late feudal build). My idea was to advance to feudal as quick as possible with the fast feudal while being able to afford double-bit axe and horse collar instantly, and then hit castle as soon as possible to start the boom instantly. With the late feudal build, I tried to go up on a population that would allow me to make 4tcs instantly with most eco ups, and I was able to do that.
So clearly I was floating 1500 more resources with the late feudal build choice -- it seems fair to say the 31+2 or similar is a stronger boom despite my bad execution of the fast feudal (22+10, WB) build. As to which you would choose in a real game, honestly I would not do either -- 30 + 2 into scouts + monks + 3TC ASAP seems a better move in general but that's personal preference as I generally don't go straight boom in games. I guess some strange build like 27 + 6 with scouts added quick could be a nice strategy if you expect, say, a forward castle drop or smush to come your way. Or if you are afraid of a trush, go 22+10 maybe, or if you really expect to get a lucky scout snipe you can do 22+10.