# 🏆 ESOC WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP 2024🏆 **URL:** \ **Category:** III - Discussion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2024, 12:16am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260 "2024-11-17T00:16:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![esoctv\_official](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/esoctv_official/32/171133_2.png) [@esoctv\_official](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/esoctv_official)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 12:16am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/1 "2024-11-17T00:16:02Z")
![image2](https://forums.ageofempires.com/uploads/default/original/3X/e/a/ea4e63e083cd2702e37d3b235540e63595321cc7.png) The year is almost out, and it wouldn’t be complete without one final AoE3 tournament! Celebrate the spirit of togetherness and join us for the **ESOC Winter Championships 2024**! Throw your hat in the ring and sign up before November 24th or tune in with a warm cup of coco and watch the holiday entertainment live and free on ESOCTV Twitch! The cold’s setting in over on this icy tundra, so players won’t have time to reach the Fortress Age. Instead, they’ll have to find faster ways to defeat their opponents in this snowy region. The Prize Pool for the event can be found externally! 📅 **Tournament Schedule:** Round of 16 - _Bo7: November 25 - December 1_ Round of 8 - _Bo7: December 2 - December 8_ Semi-finals - _Bo7: December 9 - December 14_ Bronze match - _Bo7: December 15_ Finals - Bo9: _December 15_ 🗺 **Map Pool:** Round of 16 - Bo7 : _Unknown, Sudd, Hokkaido, Bayou, Anatolia, Guianas, Baja california_ Round of 8 - Bo7 : _Unknown, Courland, Korea, Cascade range, Central plains, Balkan mountains, Caucasus_ Semi-finals - Bo7 : _Unknown, Finland, Pomerania, Gran chaco, Portugal, Hungarian plains, Korea_ Bronze match - Bo7 : _Unknown, Mexico, Ivory coast, Himalayas Upper, Dakota, Dnieper basin, Malaysia_ Finals - Bo9 : _Unknown, Karelian Lakes, Scandinavia, Painted desert, Saguenay, Siberia, New England, Parallel rivers, Pripet marshes_ 📜 **Event Rules** can be found [Here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BKo7au0G5X-YedwPn0FQOxZdY9Ikuo_e/view?usp=sharing). If you have any further questions regarding the rules please contact the tournament admins in [ESOC’s Official Discord](https://tiny.cc/ESOC)! 💰 **Sign-Ups** will end Sunday, November 24th. You may sign up using the tournament center in MyESOC (Login to your [ESOC Profile](https://eso-community.net/) and then find the top right corner of your profile name and then select MyESOC. ---
**Author:** ![Kingfisher1787](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/kingfisher1787/32/142926_2.png) [@Kingfisher1787](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Kingfisher1787)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2024, 2:49am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/2 "2024-11-17T02:49:39Z")
> [@esoctv\_official](#): > > Unknown This will be fun to watch! ---
**Author:** ![TheLiberator236](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/theliberator236/32/179247_2.png) [@TheLiberator236](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/TheLiberator236)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/3 "2024-11-21T13:13:14Z")
Pretty nice team! Although, it feels like you should raise up the Prize Pool quite a bit!! You could make it crowdfunding or something in the way! ---
**Author:** ![vividlyplain](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/vividlyplain/32/177091_2.png) [@vividlyplain](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/vividlyplain)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/4 "2024-11-21T17:27:16Z")
I believe it was all or mostly sponsored by a single donor. I could be mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![esoctv\_official](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/esoctv_official/32/171133_2.png) [@esoctv\_official](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/esoctv_official)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 8:27pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/5 "2024-11-21T20:27:04Z")
Correct! It was supplied by one person this season. During broadcasts we do encourage viewer donations, and heading into 2025 we are looking to up the prizepools! If you have any additional feedback regarding format, scheduling, broadcast times, etc. feel free post those suggestions and we’ll try our best to incorporate them during 2025! ---
**Author:** ![AssertiveWall20](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/assertivewall20/32/102618_2.png) [@AssertiveWall20](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/AssertiveWall20)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 10:55pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/6 "2024-11-21T22:55:00Z")
~~Will the casters enable a visual mod to make everything look like Christmas?~~ ---
**Author:** ![H3LLGHA5T](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/h3llgha5t/32/149730_2.png) [@H3LLGHA5T](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/H3LLGHA5T)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/7 "2024-11-21T23:17:58Z")
I hope so, LET THEM EAT CAKE! ---
**Author:** ![platypus\_slayer1](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/platypus_slayer1/32/135063_2.png) [@platypus\_slayer1](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/platypus_slayer1)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/8 "2024-11-22T00:35:23Z")
Will be fun to see all the age2 or deck additions you wouldn’t normally see. ---
**Author:** ![Kingfisher1787](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/kingfisher1787/32/142926_2.png) [@Kingfisher1787](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Kingfisher1787)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 1:36am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/9 "2024-11-22T01:36:53Z")
I entirely missed that was a feature of the tournament. This will be doubly as interesting! ---
**Author:** ![Kingfisher1787](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/kingfisher1787/32/142926_2.png) [@Kingfisher1787](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/Kingfisher1787)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/10 "2024-11-22T01:57:19Z")
What civs do we think will be best in age 2 only? Japan feels like it should be strong. Tori Gates rush and the ability to boom behind. Also Ashi/Yumi/Nagi is a very strong unit set. Dutch also feels good. Logistician Age up for Vet Halbs (with the speed card) and skirms seems like a killer combo. The lower vill pop and banks would also be great. Inca, Russia and British all seem solid as well. ---
**Author:** ![wiraqocha9917](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/wiraqocha9917/32/150449_2.png) [@wiraqocha9917](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/wiraqocha9917)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 9:08am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/11 "2024-11-22T09:08:55Z")
Tbh unknown map is fun but is really bad for tournaments. The random start can be very unfair for some civs for example start with a lombard or extra TP, or start with a lot more vills, itetc. Especially the maps can generate coal mines which is doublenthe gather speed, covs like dutch or merc strats would be OP, and civs with bad mercs would be trash. Hopefully they fix it otherwise most of unknown map games would just,be civ win ---
**Author:** ![vividlyplain](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/vividlyplain/32/177091_2.png) [@vividlyplain](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/vividlyplain)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 11:47am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/12 "2024-11-22T11:47:36Z")
Man up and adapt. Also, when you donate $500 you can set your own rules. Also merc strats in an age 2 only tourney? LUL ---
**Author:** ![wiraqocha9917](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/wiraqocha9917/32/150449_2.png) [@wiraqocha9917](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/wiraqocha9917)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 1:08pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/13 "2024-11-22T13:08:44Z")
Well 500 dollars isn’t much i believe everyone here can afford…don’t make it sound like a big investment. I know you made that map so you are defending it. I like the map too unknown is amazing but just not that balanced for tournament because too many random factors. Dont you agree ---
**Author:** ![AssertiveWall20](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/assertivewall20/32/102618_2.png) [@AssertiveWall20](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/AssertiveWall20)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 2:00pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/14 "2024-11-22T14:00:37Z")
I look forward to seeing your sponsored tournament this summer! ---
**Author:** ![vividlyplain](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/vividlyplain/32/177091_2.png) [@vividlyplain](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/vividlyplain)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/15 "2024-11-22T15:48:36Z")
I’m not defending anything, but I’m also looking forward to your sponsored tournament. I won’t be there to complain, I’ll just enjoy the content. ---
**Author:** ![platypus\_slayer1](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/platypus_slayer1/32/135063_2.png) [@platypus\_slayer1](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/platypus_slayer1)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/16 "2024-11-22T17:58:52Z")
Yeah its the less serious of 2 events being locked to age2. Id imagine prizepool can grow if consumers donate but given its holidays the theme sees to be to provide off meta or novel (noel?) situations for our pros to navigate. So maps like unknown seem on par for me since its less about absolute balance and moreso what insanity can aiz or opti can cook up. Once the spring event happens the “premier” event with larger prizepool and more serious competition will occur. At least thats the vibe i get ---
**Author:** ![MikaelJakson\_Hee\_Hee](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/mikaeljakson_hee_hee/32/138612_2.png) [@MikaelJakson\_Hee\_Hee](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/MikaelJakson_Hee_Hee)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 6:43am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/17 "2024-11-23T06:43:20Z")
Dutch also a civ that naturally hates age3 play so it can thrive more here > [@vividlyplain](#): > > Also merc strats in an age 2 only tourney? Theres a funny Irish brig build featuring a 3k HP Berber Sultan with Sweden. Seriously tho they’re probably talking about outlaws more than mercs since there can be some wild outlaws on unknown that are not seen elsewhere iirc but you know more about that than me ---
**Author:** ![MikaelJakson\_Hee\_Hee](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/mikaeljakson_hee_hee/32/138612_2.png) [@MikaelJakson\_Hee\_Hee](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/MikaelJakson_Hee_Hee)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 6:45am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/18 "2024-11-23T06:45:35Z")
It’s not what the game is balanced atound judt like age2 and just as Vividly said It’s gonna be really interesting to see the pros adapt to different environments ---
**Author:** ![esoctv\_official](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/esoctv_official/32/171133_2.png) [@esoctv\_official](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/esoctv_official)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2024, 11:44pm UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/19 "2024-12-03T23:44:42Z")
We hope everyone has been enjoying the AoE3 Winter Tournament so far! We’ve got another week of entertainment lined up, with a special guest from **Forgotten Empires** joining us Thursday 18GMT for the Lionheart vs Risi series, which will be followed by JulianK vs Ungurs! Saturday will also see Tabben vs Optimus and the final Ro8 series, so come visit us over on **[Twitch](http://twitch.tv/esoctv)**! ![image](https://forums.ageofempires.com/uploads/default/original/3X/c/c/cceaed3075ce17d9e99c3cc8e9cc186a1f1abae8.png) ---
**Author:** ![OperaticShip743](https://forums.ageofempires.com/user_avatar/forums.ageofempires.com/operaticship743/32/104612_2.png) [@OperaticShip743](https://forums.ageofempires.com/u/OperaticShip743)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2024, 4:05am UTC](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260/20 "2024-12-04T04:05:50Z")
> [@MikaelJakson\_Hee\_He1](#): > > said It’s gonna be really interesting to see the pros adapt to different environments Maps like Ceylon, Caribbean and Amazon maybe? [Next page](https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/esoc-winter-championship-2024/266260.md?page=2)