1 TC · Early aggression — English AoE4

Abbey of Kings with 12 villagers (0:00–4:15)

Age up at 2:15 with 12 villagers and 3 on wood: a single Town Center, a solid economy and an army from 5:15.

0:00 — 6 villagers on sheep. Rally on gold until 2 on gold: the first builds a Mining Camp and a House.
1:00 — Rally on food.
2:15 — Age up with the Abbey of Kings: 3 food villagers build it. 3 food villagers go to wood.
2:20 — Rally on wood, with a Lumber Camp.
3:55 — Second House.

By 7:00: 8 Farms, a Barracks, an Archery Range, a Blacksmith, and 5 Spearmen, 5 Longbowmen and the King on the map.

4:15 — Age II: the 3 builders put up a Mill and 3 Farms. Research Double Broadax.
4:35 — Barracks and Archery Range.
4:55 — Research Horticulture.
5:15 — When the Barracks and Archery Range are done, their builders make 2 more Farms. Start Hardened Spearmen and Longbowmen.
5:40 — Third House.
6:30 — Blacksmith; 3 more Farms with wood villagers when possible.
7:07 — Research Steeled Arrow, later Iron Undermesh. Reference: 5 Spearmen, 5 Longbowmen and the King.

For the matchups where 2 TC is bad (Delhi, fast-castle civilizations): one Town Center, but an economy that keeps up.
Keep 2 on gold during this opening: Spearmen and Longbowmen cost food and wood; use the gold for economic and Blacksmith upgrades.
Use the King with the first units: he tanks the arrows and recovers out of combat through Abbey Healing at the Abbey of Kings.
Leave room for Farms around the Town Center: place the House and Abbey of Kings diagonally so the first Farms can go on the safest side.