Season 3: Chapter 91: Ancient Castle Wall (1)
Ancient Walls map appeared for the first time in the Joseon vs. Rome match. Coincidentally, this map was inspired by Ancient Europe where the ancient walls of Rome remained intact.
However, the existence of this map caused some confusion among the viewers.
— Ancient Walls map is out!!
— A map?? I thought the maps were random
— What the hell is this?
— Wow, a map that allows blocking the entrance right from the start.
— ??? There are different maps like this? lol
Viewers inevitably felt puzzled. They knew that Civil Empire featured random maps, but wasn't this newly introduced map too concept driven? The simplified expression that Civil Empire had random maps caused this misunderstanding.
"No, OrangeKing, isn’t it said that Civil Empire’s maps are completely random and you strategize accordingly? What is this Ancient Walls map about?"
"Ah. Civil Empire does have names for maps! It's just that the details within those maps are random! There are overarching concepts."
"Ah!"
"The previous matches against France and Spain were also on named maps like the Mongolian Steppes and the Fertile Farmlands. These maps, being entirely flat and open, didn’t require much explanation."
The Mongolian Steppes had scarce gold and wood resources, which forced continuous movement. The Fertile Farmlands boasted fertile land and forests. These maps also had their own characteristics, but there was neither time nor any reason to explain them since the games typically ended by the first or second era.
"Ah, yes. The first and second era matches ended so quickly. There was nothing to explain~!"
— lol true
— Ah lol, the game ends before even using 1/10 of the resources, what’s there to explain? lol
— Right lol
"However, this Ancient Walls map is now significantly impacting the early game. We have to explain it now."
"Yes. As an aside, Civil Empire’s map concepts are often based on the lands of various countries. The Mongolian Steppes obviously represent Mongolia and the Fertile Farmlands are the flat lands of Western Europe."
"What about the Ancient Walls?"
"Coincidentally, the Ancient Walls map is based on battles in later Europe where the ancient walls of Rome still stood."
— Rome gets the Rome map?!
— Was it a Rome map?
— No wonder the design looked familiar
— Doesn’t this give Rome an advantage??
Viewers started to worry as news spread that Rome was on a Rome map.
"Ah. Just because it’s a Rome map doesn’t mean Rome has an absolute advantage. It might be slightly easier for them though."
"Right. For instance, Joseon typically aims to reach the third era. They might actually like the Ancient Walls map."
"Exactly. It's just a map where late game civilizations can equally exert their strength."
"Ah, and what about Rome? OrangeKing, do they prefer the late game?"
"Yes, of course. Rome is quintessentially a heavy civilization. They play defensively, building up resources and pushing with advanced military units in the third and fourth eras." �
Rome, with its numerous resource-related factions, was a typical late game civilization. While Joseon and Spain typically aimed for the third era, Rome essentially aspired to reach the fourth.
Given the characteristics of the map, this game would highly likely progress to the late stages.
"Ah. As I'm speaking, the match between Joseon and Rome is starting!"
Soon afterward, the game began.
"I’m curious about the expressions of the commanders from each country?"
OrangeKing mischievously focused on the camera.
***
Upon first encountering the map, Cookie's expression hardened.
'Ancient Walls...'
Terrain features like walls and cliffs protected each camp. While details like the location of gold mines varied, the concept remained the same. Walls and cliffs always protected the camps.
One had to cross steep hills leading to the cliffs to attack a base. Even after crossing, impenetrable stone walls awaited them until the third era with siege weapons. Such a map made it disadvantageous for those attempting to invade. Fighting in the first or second era was unfeasible.
'... Luck isn’t on our side.'
While the Korean team wasn’t necessarily aiming for an early rush, they had benefited from such rushes in previous games. Under normal circumstances, this fear of an early rush could have affected the opponents.
'They’ll dismiss it and play the game.'
Such a map allowed them to disregard those worries. The algorithm for winning the game became much simpler.
For Joseon, which needed to play in an unorthodox manner, a simpler game was more disadvantageous. For Rome, which played a heavy, standard infantry game, this simplicity was advantageous.
'Then...'
After a brief moment of consideration, Cookie made a decision.
[Charge]
Ping!
He issued a charge command to his troops, anticipating where the enemy would likely be. Since the Rome map was a 1v1 map, the enemy’s location was certain.
'Something needs to shake them up.'
Scouts, who had been dispersing for reconnaissance, suddenly turned and began running en masse.
***
At that time, the broadcasters fervently explained the early flow of the game. Not just one or two people were unfamiliar with Civil Empire, so they skipped the basic explanations. If they continued like this, no one would understand.
"Okay, workers from both sides have started gathering resources, but OrangeKing?"
"Yes."
"There's an unusual troop type besides the workers on the Roman side. Could you explain this?"
"Ah, yes. Rome starts with a high priest. This priest gives buffs to the workers, which allows them to gather resources faster."
"Ah, so that's why Rome starts with fewer resources?"
"Correct. However, as time passes and they recruit more priests or build a cathedral in the third era, Rome's resource capability significantly improves. I think we'll see plenty of Rome's third era cathedrals in this match because early rushes are too difficult here... What?!"
OrangeKing abruptly stopped his detailed explanation.
"Is this correct?!"
His eyes widened in shock.
The entire Joseon military force suddenly grouped up and was moving.
"This isn't just an early rush. It's almost like a pre-first era rush!"
— Pre-1st era lol
— What is this really lol
— Lawless toddler rush lol
No sooner had he spoken about expecting to see the third era when a pre-first era rush suddenly occurred.
"But you just said early rushes wouldn’t work!"
Embarrassed by the broadcaster's correction, OrangeKing stirred up the chat.
— lol
— What the, really? lol
— It’s scary to talk lol
— lol
Nevertheless, OrangeKing tried to commentate based on what was unfolding.
"At least! In my opinion! Korea doesn't want to play the usual way!"
Korea staked everything on unconventional strategies and they were doing it again this time.
"Okay! The Roman scouts have confirmed Joseon's advance! You can't miss this! It's too obvious as they pass by."
Rome began to react.
"Rome must be quite confused? From their perspective, it's almost like the finale scene of a gangster movie."
— lol
— Right, they’re swinging clubs lol
— Gangster sashimi scene lol
"Okay, Rome is calling all their troops back! But… are there soldiers who can’t make it back?"
"Those who went too far can't make it! They'll get caught and killed on the way! Two hundred Joseon soldiers are coming at once right now!"
"This suggests that Rome was complacent about early rushes and now finds its base defense forces outnumbered."
OrangeKing trailed off before finishing his sentence.
"It doesn’t look good from any angle."
"What angle?"
"The angle of attack!"
Even if Joseon divided the Roman forces, it made no sense to breach the enemy’s camp with barbarian soldiers on this map.
"Look at the path to the entrance! It looks like not even ten people can go in at once!"
The path leading up to the cliff looked like a narrow hiking trail. Objectively, it looked like a fairly large path, but it would be considered narrow for warfare. At most, ten people could ascend side by side. Considering weapons and armor, only about five individuals could at max.
"Those attacking are at a huge disadvantage!"
Entering would be akin to going in just to die. Given the terrain, the presence of one fewer combatant due to the priest was irrelevant.
The broadcaster questioned further, "Then isn’t it a loss to come this far? What is Cookie thinking?"
Why would they go there if not to enter?
"Wait? It seems Joseon has no intention of entering?"
"Then why did they go there at all!?"
Korea seemed to have no intention of entering the enemy camp. They hadn’t set foot on the uphill path as if it had been greased.
Instead, they started circling the enemy's camp.
Moments later, OrangeKing’s eyes bulged.
"Now I understand! Cookie-sama!"
— lol
— What
— Cookie sama lmao
His hand trembled as he pointed toward Rome's entrance.
"The feature of this map is that there's only one entrance and it’s very narrow, right?"
"Correct."
"But there's another feature of this map!"
"What is it!?"
"The base resources are only two-thirds of what they would be on a normal map!"
Indeed, Ancient Walls had very limited resources of gold, wood, and food that could be mined in the base. The defensive stability came at the cost of making it impossible to stay entrenched forever.
"And early game food has to be hunted outside! This is advantageous for Korea!"
It was overwhelmingly more efficient to acquire early food resources through hunting than farming or gathering. Now, Rome couldn’t capitalize on that efficiency.
"So Korea isn’t trying to enter! They blocked the enemy's exit! An entrance that’s hard to breach is also hard to exit!"
Korea had flipped the defensive map's concept to their advantage.
"So! The entrance and the exit are the same!"
"Yes, right! It’s one way!"
"Yes! Cookie is saying, 'So what?! We’ll just push!!'"
"Ah! Since the entrance is being pushed from both sides, only those inside can’t get out!"
In short, Rome had been confined. This situation would start to cause a disparity in the early food supply.
"As it stands, the problem is Rome's food supply! They can't hunt! Meanwhile, Joseon's two deputy commanders are merrily sweeping all the food resources across the map!"
Food affected the production of workers and workers generated all the resources. A difference in food led to a difference in all resources.
"How will Rome respond?"
Rome heavily relied on resources to overpower the opponent. This would put them at a great disadvantage. Something had to be done.
"Right now, there's no way! First era troops can't breach that! It would take ages! If Cookie wants to force it, he can just build a tower!"
"Can't they just build the tower and run? Is that possible?"
"From Cookie's position, he’s already made the opponent a complete shut-in even if he builds only one tower! The resource gap will keep widening! It's different from the last game! Meanwhile, it's going to be a real headache for Rome if they lose troops because they're short on food!"
"Ah… this is quite a masterful move, isn't it?"
The risk would be too great if Rome couldn't break through. Ultimately, Rome chose to stay put and the stalemate continued without much conflict.
"Joseon advances to the second era first!"
As time passed, Joseon moved into the second era.
Dundundun!
[Joseon - 2nd Era]
A faint cheer erupted from the stands.
Then, Rome also advanced to the second era. It was a good omen that Joseon advanced slightly earlier.
"Rome has chosen farmland. They're spending more on food early on! The snowball is rolling!"
"Yes! As you said, hunting is much more efficient before the 3rd era!"
Joseon acquired food through hunting while Rome had to create farmlands.
"Ah! And! Joseon's workers are starting to run!? No, they've been running for a while now!"
Joseon's workers already reached the enemy's front. They had pre-marked something after entering the second era.
"They’re starting to build something!?"
"A watchtower!? Are they completely blocking it off!?"
The workers weren't building a watchtower. There was no need to waste money on a defensive structure prematurely. They were building the structures they inevitably needed.
[Armory]
[Under construction - 1%]
[Archery Range]
[Under construction - 1%]
[Infantry Training Ground]
[Under construction - 1%]
[Barracks]
[Under construction -1%]
These were military production buildings.
— Forward barracks lol
— Are they planning to make this their base?
— A complete outpost
— Immediate weapon supply
"They’re telling Rome not to even think about coming out!"
"Really, Cookie with a series of masterstrokes!?"
Rome was gradually running out of options.
"Wait! Italy is a peninsula! Has it suddenly become an island?!"
"Um, that sounds familiar, doesn’t it!?"
"Oops."
— Uh…?
— Oops lol
— That's our country…
— OMG
Perhaps to alleviate the broadcaster's embarrassment, OrangeKing shouted even louder, "Anyway! Welcome to Korea, Italy!"
— lol
— North Italy South Italy lol lol lol
— lol lol lol
— “In Korea, a peninsula is an island”
— Sadly funny lol