Cav + Maigadi

Team Desk Strategy – Based on the playstyle of the "AOE3 Game Archive" YouTube channel

1. Start with 12–13 villagers and send the Pulaaku Code. Choose the Hausa option when aging up.
2. Harass the enemy with Heavy Cavalry in the Second Age. Use the University technology (send influence for it) to unlock and build Urban Centers during this age, using wood or influence (try not to rely too much on the latter).
3. Build Universities and Palaces around your existing Urban Centers. You can sell cattle or use Hausa wagons from the Urban Center to help with construction.
4. Once your economy is stable, start aging up to the Third and Fourth Ages. Send the Maigadi card (available in Age II) when you have enough influence and gold to produce Maigadis. Continue using the Cavalry (Raiders or Lifidi Knights) + Maigadi combo

You can build cannons or mortars in the Palace if needed. Consider sending the Spice Trade card early to boost villager and cavalry production.

The Real Fortifications card allows you to build additional Palaces. This means more buildings for producing Maigadis, and it helps you recover faster if any are destroyed.

Note: This is not a rush strategy. It’s meant to harass the enemy just enough to buy time to expand your network of Urban Centers, Universities, and Palaces into important map areas rich in food or gold. For a visual example of this strategy, check out the videos by the YouTuber mentioned at the beginning. I don't know him personally, I just enjoy playing Hausa, and he's one of the few content creators who plays this amazing and fun civ