Algernon Sidney vs Merlin on Evony | Who do you use?

Sidney vs Merlin on Evony

Algernon Sidney vs Merlin on Evony | Who do you use?

In this post I gave my AI software various pieces of information and sources to come up with a comparison between Algernon Sidney or Merlin on Evony.

What do you think of the analysis provided? Do you agree with what the AI software has said? Who do you use as your go to ranged general?

Let me know in the comments, the answers to the above questions.

Algernon Sidney or Merlin | Who do you use?

Key Points

• Both Algernon Sidney and Merlin are top-tier ranged generals in Evony, with similar strengths but slight differences in buffs.

• Research suggests Merlin is often preferred for his higher HP buff (45%) on ranged troops, which can improve survivability, while Sidney offers higher defense (45%) for ranged troops, useful in prolonged battles.

• The choice depends on your strategy: Merlin for HP-focused play, Sidney for defense-focused play; both are viable with no clear consensus.

Both Algernon Sidney and Merlin are excellent ranged generals in Evony, and the choice between them depends on your gameplay strategy. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:

Overview

• Algernon Sidney boosts ranged troops' attack and defense by 45% and their HP, along with siege machines' HP, by 30% when leading an attack. This makes him great for players who want their ranged troops to have strong defense, especially in longer battles.

• Merlin increases ranged troops' attack and HP by 45% and their defense, along with siege machines' defense, by 30% when leading an attack. He's ideal if you prioritize higher HP for ranged troops to withstand damage, which is crucial for their survivability.

Key Differences

• For ranged troops, Sidney gives more defense (45% vs. 30% from Merlin), while Merlin gives more HP (45% vs. 30% from Sidney). This means Merlin might help your troops last longer in fights, while Sidney makes them harder to damage in the first place.

• For siege machines, Sidney boosts HP by 30%, while Merlin boosts defense by 30%, which could be better depending on whether you need them to survive longer or resist attacks better.

• Their ascending attributes (upgrades as they level up) are very similar, so the main decision comes down to their special skills.

You might not expect this, but both generals can be used as assistants for each other in certain setups, like covenants, which adds flexibility to how you build your army. For example, Sidney can pair with Merlin for specific synergies, according to guides like Theria Games.

Recommendation

If you're focusing on keeping your ranged troops alive longer, especially in quick, damage-heavy battles, I'd lean toward Merlin for his higher HP buff. But if you expect prolonged engagements where defense matters more, Sidney could be your pick. Both are top choices, and community discussions, like on Reddit, show players swapping between them based on needs, so there's no wrong choice here.

Background and Context

Evony is a real-time strategy MMO where players build empires, train troops, and engage in battles, with generals playing a pivotal role in leading armies. Generals like Algernon Sidney and Merlin are categorized as ranged PvP generals, excelling in leading ranged troops and siege machines during attacks. Their effectiveness is determined by special skills, ascending attributes, and potential synergies through covenants or assistant roles.

Both generals were introduced relatively recently: Merlin during the 2024 Children's Day Event (around June 2024) and Algernon Sidney during the 2024 Halloween events (around October 2024), according to guides like One Chilled Gamer and Yaoqiguo. This recency means both are accessible to current players, but their acquisition methods (events or tavern recruitment) may influence availability.

Special Skills Comparisony

The core difference lies in their special skills, which are active when leading an attack:

• Algernon Sidney's Special Skill (Patriot’s Radiance):

  • Increases ranged troops' attack and defense by 45%.

  • Increases ranged troops and siege machines' HP by 30%.

  • This translates to ranged troops receiving: Attack +45%, Defense +45%, HP +30%.

  • Siege machines receive: HP +30%.

• Merlin's Special Skill (Weaving the Fate):

  • Increases ranged troops' attack and HP by 45%.

  • Increases ranged troops and siege machines' defense by 30%.

  • This translates to ranged troops receiving: Attack +45%, HP +45%, Defense +30%.

  • Siege machines receive: Defense +30%.

Table 1: Special Skill Buffs Comparison

General	Ranged Troop Attack	Ranged Troop Defense	Ranged Troop HP	Siege Machine Buff
Algernon Sidney	+45%	+45%	+30%	HP +30%
Merlin	+45%	+30%	+45%	Defense +30%

From this, it's clear that for ranged troops, Sidney offers higher defense (45% vs. 30%), while Merlin offers higher HP (45% vs. 30%). For siege machines, Sidney boosts HP, while Merlin boosts defense, which could be strategic depending on whether you need them to survive longer or resist damage better.

Ascending Attributes

Both generals can be ascended to enhance their abilities, and their ascending attributes are nearly identical, suggesting minimal difference in leveling up:

• Algernon Sidney's Ascending Attributes (from One Chilled Gamer):

  • 1 Star: Marching Ranged Troop Attack +25%, Defense +10%

  • 2 Star: Marching Troop Death into Wounded Rate +8%

  • 3 Star: Marching Ranged Troop Attack +15%, Defense and HP +15%

  • 4 Star: Marching Ranged Troop and Siege Machine Defense +15% and HP +15%

  • 5 Star: Marching Ranged Troop Attack +20%, Defense and HP +20%

• Merlin's Ascending Attributes (from One Chilled Gamer):

  • 1 Star: Marching Ranged Troop Attack +25%, Defense +10%

  • 2 Star: Marching Troop Death into Wounded Rate +8%

  • 3 Star: Marching Ranged Troop Attack, Defense, and HP +15%

  • 4 Star: Marching Ranged Troop and Siege Machine Defense and HP +15%

  • 5 Star: Marching Ranged Troop Attack, Defense, and HP +20%

Table 2: Ascending Attributes Comparison (Key Levels)

Level	Algernon Sidney Buffs	Merlin Buffs
1 Star	Ranged Attack +25%, Defense +10%	Ranged Attack +25%, Defense +10%
2 Star	Death into Wounded Rate +8%	Death into Wounded Rate +8%
3 Star	Ranged Attack +15%, Defense +15%, HP +15%	Ranged Attack +15%, Defense +15%, HP +15%
4 Star	Ranged & Siege Defense +15%, HP +15%	Ranged & Siege Defense +15%, HP +15%
5 Star	Ranged Attack +20%, Defense +20%, HP +20%	Ranged Attack +20%, Defense +20%, HP +20%

The attributes are identical, indicating that the decision hinges on their special skills rather than ascending bonuses.

Strategic Implications

The choice between Sidney and Merlin depends on your army composition and playstyle:

• If You Prioritize Ranged Troops' Defense: Sidney's 45% defense buff compared to Merlin's 30% could be crucial in scenarios where ranged troops face prolonged engagement or heavy retaliation. This might be useful in defending against enemy counter-attacks or in battles where your ranged troops are exposed.

• If You Prioritize Ranged Troops' HP: Merlin's 45% HP buff compared to Sidney's 30% enhances survivability, which is often more critical for ranged troops to withstand initial damage, especially in quick, high-damage encounters. This could be advantageous in offensive rallies or monster hunting where troops need to last longer.

• Siege Machine Considerations: If your strategy includes siege machines, Sidney's HP boost (30%) might help them survive longer under fire, while Merlin's defense boost (30%) could make them more resistant to damage, depending on whether you face attacks that reduce HP or penetrate defense.

Community discussions, such as on Reddit, show players using both generals, with some planning to swap from Merlin to Sidney for additional march size increases or other synergies. For instance, one user mentioned using Merlin as an assistant with Elektra and planning to switch to Sidney, suggesting Sidney might offer slight advantages in certain setups (Reddit post).

Covenants and Assistant Roles

Both generals can be used in assistant roles, and their compatibility with other generals is notable. For example, Sidney's covenant includes Merlin as an applicable general, according to Theria Games, meaning they can pair for synergies. Merlin's covenant includes generals like King Arthur and Alfred the Great, which might offer different strategic options (Theria Games). This flexibility adds an unexpected layer, as players can mix and match them in main and assistant roles, enhancing overall army buffs.

Community Preferences and Tier Lists

Tier lists, such as One Chilled Gamer's Evony Ranged General Tier List, place both in the top tier alongside generals like Ragnar and Brian Boru, with no clear ranking between them. This suggests a lack of consensus, and player choice often depends on personal strategy rather than a definitive "best" general. The recency of both (Merlin from June 2024, Sidney from October 2024) means newer players might lean toward Sidney, while older players might have Merlin ascended, influencing usage.

Recommendation

Given the analysis, if you focus on keeping your ranged troops alive longer in battles, especially in quick, damage-heavy scenarios, Merlin's higher HP buff (45% vs. 30%) is likely more beneficial. This aligns with the general strategy for ranged units, where survivability through HP is often more critical than defense. However, if you anticipate prolonged engagements where defense matters, Sidney's higher defense buff (45% vs. 30%) could be advantageous. For siege machines, Merlin's defense boost might be preferable if they face attacks that test their resistance, while Sidney's HP boost could help them endure longer.

Ultimately, both are excellent choices, and the decision should align with your specific army composition and playstyle. Given the slight edge in HP for ranged troops, which is often more valuable in ranged warfare, Merlin seems the preferred choice for many players, especially in offensive strategies.

Conclusion

This detailed comparison highlights that Algernon Sidney and Merlin are both top-tier ranged generals, with the choice boiling down to whether you prioritize defense (Sidney) or HP (Merlin) for ranged troops, and how you utilize siege machines. Community discussions and tier lists show no clear winner, reinforcing that both are viable, and player preference plays a significant role.