When fighting Germans with this strat on Great Plains, my first Colonial shipment will be 6 Muskets (can affort the later time, since German FF isn't as fast as Spanish). Having 3 Muskets in two food gather sites should discourage those 2 Uhlan raiders. If they're stupid enough to attack anyway, 3 Muskets + the Settlers do short work of them.
5-7 Uhlan raiders will pose a pretty big problem, though. One would have to upgrade villagers with Great Coat and have all the 6 Muskets in a single hunt site. Actually, now that I think about it, it's probably safer to go with 6 Muskets in a single site just incase.
I don't actually chop any wood at all in Discovery. I put 10 villagers on wood right after I press age up to Colonial. I get a Trade Post pretty fast this way.
I then repeat the same thing during the age up to Fortress and build a Church. It's usually ready just as I hit Fortress so I ship Black Watch ASAP (Advanced Church card is sent after the 700 gold).
Basically the card order goes:
3 Villagers
700 gold
Advanced Church
2 Falconets
I don't get housed by the Falconets 'cause I have a pretty weak economy of 17 villagers. But you gave me an interesting idea. I just might be able to house boom with the protection of the Longbows, Highlanders and Falconets if I send a Fort as the next card ...
Something to try anyway.
Now my only problem is getting the required cards online. My British HC on ESO is a whopping level ... 2 .
"One wants to be loved, failing that admired, failing that feared, failing that hated and despised. One wants to instill in other people some form of emotion. The soul shudders before emptiness and wants contact, no matter the cost."