head to head
vs
Empire: Total WarvsLichess
Empire: Total War leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Lichess leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Empire: Total WarLichess
Axis by axis
Execution2 vs 1
Empire: Total War leans harder on execution: Real-time battle micro is modest
Reads3 vs 6
Lichess leans harder on reads: Reading a specific opponent's style and traps matters in play
Variance3 vs 1
Empire: Total War leans harder on variance: Campaign AI and battle dice noise
Optimization8 vs 9
Lichess leans harder on optimization: Calculation, openings and endgame theory are the deep core
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.