head to head
vs
Ancient EnemyvsFallout
Ancient Enemy leans Optimization (Systems & Chaos); Fallout leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Ancient EnemyFallout
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 1
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads0 vs 0
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance5 vs 4
Ancient Enemy leans harder on variance: Card layout draws shape each encounter's options
Optimization7 vs 8
Fallout leans harder on optimization: SPECIAL builds and quest routing are deeply solvable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.