First ladder games often feel like being a tiny fish in an ocean full of sharks. But let’s turn the tables and become the shark ourselves! To do that, practice your build order just a little more, and then you’ll be ready to dive into your first ladder game. More seriously, when you feel ready to have more fun playing against real opponents, it’s time to queue for that first ladder match. Here are some tips to help you adopt the right mindset for ladder play:

• Elo is just a number. It helps match you with opponents of a similar skill level, so don’t get discouraged if you lose points.
• We all started somewhere. I lost my first 20 ranked games, but I improved with time. If I can do it, you can too!
• Every game is a challenge, and every opponent is a potential friend to beat.
• AOE isn’t your job, so don’t get frustrated. Video games are meant to be fun, and having fun will ultimately help you improve.
• Pick your civilization wisely. Start by choosing “magyars” and then you will experiment with different civilizations later, even if the pros play “random civs” you shouldn’t copy them.

Once you’ve played your first ladder game, I recommend sticking with the Magyars for a while. When you feel ready, try using the same strategy with other civilizations that are similar in playstyle. Here are some good options: Franks, Spanish, Malians, Berbers, Lithuanians. Adapting to a new civ after mastering the scout rush will enhance your game understanding and keep things interesting.