Closed maps strategy guide

Principles of Closed Maps:

Make sure to fully wall your base—any opening can make the map “open” for your opponent.
Closed maps allow you more time to invest in your economy compared to open maps.
Games tend to be longer, making relics increasingly important as the match progresses.
Gathering information on your opponent’s strategy is crucial while booming to avoid being caught off guard.
An early all-in army strategy can overcome a boom, as eco investments take time to pay off.
A fast castle is often the best strategy, as breaking through walls requires time and resources.
Castles are incredibly powerful and can stop most forms of aggression until the Imperial Age.
Monks are a strong and inexpensive option while booming, as they cost no food.
Gaining control of the map is essential in the Imperial Age.

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for closed maps, but here are some options and my personal recommendations:

Fast Castle: Focus on maintaining map control while collecting relics. Don’t over-invest in units unless your opponent produces an army. If they do, fight for control until they give up map space!
Unit Composition: Light Cavalry + Monks, Cavalry Archers + Monks, or unique units + Monks.

Fast Castle with All-in Unique Units: Stay in the Castle Age and focus on aggression until your opponent builds a castle. Once they do, halt unit production, advance to the Imperial Age, and place a forward castle for trebs. Protect your trebs with your castle. If your opponent lacks defenses in castle age, you can continue to press your advantage with more units and upgrades without clicking imperial age.
Fast Castle Boom: This strategy sacrifices map control in favor of a stronger economy. While you won’t have relics and will be exposed to aggression, you’ll have a significant timing window to strike during the late Castle or early Imperial Age.
Cuman 2 TC Boom: Begin with a two-TC boom, then regain map control early in the Castle Age with Stable units. Afterward, build a forward castle, advance to the Imperial Age, and use trebs to attack.