head to head
vs
Heroes of Might and Magic IVvsSongs of Conquest
Heroes of Might and Magic IV leans Optimization (Pure Optimization); Songs of Conquest leans Optimization (Pure Optimization).
Heroes of Might and Magic IVSongs of Conquest
Axis by axis
Execution1 vs 2
Songs of Conquest leans harder on execution: Turn-based throughout; no timing demands
Reads3 vs 3
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance4 vs 4
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization8 vs 9
Songs of Conquest leans harder on optimization: Wielder skill trees, unit stacking, and map control routing are the optimization 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.