head to head
vs
Diplomacy is Not an OptionvsStyx: Master of Shadows
Diplomacy is Not an Option leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Styx: Master of Shadows leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Diplomacy is Not an OptionStyx: Master of Shadows
Axis by axis
Execution3 vs 4
Styx: Master of Shadows leans harder on execution: Ledge-grab timing and kill animations need decent precision
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 2
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization9 vs 8
Diplomacy is Not an Option leans harder on optimization: Economy, defenses and army composition against scaling waves
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.