No sure if anyone has noticed, but the new map pool voting indicates that we’ll have Arena forced to 9 vill start and potential other maps with 9 vill starts as well.
I don’t get it… why? After already introducing all these new civs and mechanics, now also the core gameplay is changing? What for?
In arena it is a good change, it has no effect on build orders. It saves 3 minutes of life, however.
They introduced new maps that will start with 9 Villagers.
They are properly testing the waters if 9 Villagers start can be the new standard.
9 vil start is definitely a good idea. Every build orders are same until 9 vils. Saving valuable IRL time.
Same order is until 6 vils in Arabia. You can modify the number of lumbers and when to lure boar. Moreover you need thinking time for match up and strategy.
You also need to think about “getting free 300 food (by adding 6 vils)”. 3 Sheeps or 1 boar may be deleted.