head to head
vs
Ancient Wars: SpartavsStyx: Master of Shadows
Ancient Wars: Sparta leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Styx: Master of Shadows leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Ancient Wars: SpartaStyx: Master of Shadows
Axis by axis
Execution4 vs 4
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads2 vs 1
Ancient Wars: Sparta leans harder on reads: Skirmish opponents allow shallow prediction at best
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization7 vs 8
Styx: Master of Shadows leans harder on optimization: Rope routing, amber-clone use, and distraction sequencing are optimisable
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.