I think it best to consider a break whenever DLC comes out again

Age of Empires IV IV - Discussion
1

This is the 2nd time now where i am playing the game after DLC, got hype and burned out facing the same thing over and over. Like it wouldnt be so bad if it wasn’t clearly and intentionally strong. I get it, you want streamers to be playing the civ.

The leaderboard is filled now with accounts average half their cummulative total matches as HOL, and 2/3rds as HOL/Templar. The rest of the game seems to have become irrelevant.

Next time DLC/Expansion drops ill be sure to plan ahead for something else to play for a few months since this happens every time.

2

I feel similarly whenever a season drops, the meta is kind of weird in the first few weeks.

Try signing up for some tournaments, the rising empires tournament is a lot of fun and there are many others that have spaces for players in all skill brackets. Private lobbies are the way to go!