head to head
vs
Europa Universalis VvsHeroes of Might and Magic II
Europa Universalis V leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Heroes of Might and Magic II leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Europa Universalis VHeroes of Might and Magic II
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 0
Europa Universalis V leans harder on execution: Pausable map game, no twitch demand
Reads2 vs 2
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance3 vs 4
Heroes of Might and Magic II leans harder on variance: Map exploration, morale, luck, and combat rolls
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.