head to head
vs
Empire EarthvsStronghold: Crusader
Empire Earth leans Optimization (Mind & Math); Stronghold: Crusader leans Optimization (Mind & Math).
Empire EarthStronghold: Crusader
Axis by axis
Execution5 vs 5
Even - both lean on execution about the same.
Reads7 vs 6
Empire Earth leans harder on reads: Opponent epoch rush and civilization bonuses must be predicted
Variance3 vs 4
Stronghold: Crusader leans harder on variance: Goods market prices and siege equipment availability fluctuate
Optimization8 vs 8
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.