Personally I hate HTs
And I somewhat like OF fighting (and prefer AF to FE even if I'd rather be in neither
)! It depends what you're looking for
I think if people didn't tell everyone in advance "you're going to hate this", AF+OF might stand a fairer shake. The only *real* problem with AF+OF is that if you *do* wind up hating them, you're still going to be there a while.
No sane-of-mind person likes the troops in AF and OF if they are efficient fighters. No one. Especially when compared to HT's, because there is no comparison. HT's are way superior to any combination of AF, OF or VF troops, all things even. This is not a psychological issue, this is a reality issue. They suck. No one told me they would suck in advance. I wish they had. I wish I had inquired. I figured that out on my own, through experience. As such, I tell anyone and everyone who asks (and some who don't) what to expect and how to get through those ages as quickly as possible, if fighting is an important part of their game.
There is no reason to be there any longer than necessary. Following the path I (and others) have explained will ease the pain and get you out of those ages and back to better fighting much quicker. Or, one can ignore it and find out just how sucky those troops are, on one's own... and regret it. That said, I also throw in the caveat, if you will, to ignore my advice, If fighting is not a primary focus, and to take their time through those eras.
FOE is a game of choices. One can choose to play the game however they want. However, if you are a fighter, you might want to educate yourself as much as possible prior to entering AF, since it is a wholly different kind of age, compared to previous ages, with the troop ability decline and the need for special resources to get through the Tech Tree. You can't just rush through it, (once you realise how sucky the troops are) by trading or hoarding ahead of time. You need a plan in place, ahead of time. That's all I am saying.
