head to head
vs
Diplomacy is Not an OptionvsStronghold
Diplomacy is Not an Option leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Stronghold leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Diplomacy is Not an OptionStronghold
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 2
Diplomacy is Not an Option leans harder on execution: Fast unit micro helps but isn't the ceiling
Reads1 vs 2
Stronghold leans harder on reads: AI opponents are scripted, minor prediction
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization9 vs 9
Even - both lean on optimization about the same.
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.