[HoneyBadger]

I don't think it's an issue with EA Tien Ch'i. It doesn't really matter what units you decide to make, despite their diverse equipment (hint: it's not really that diverse). Build enough of whatever, any single unit type, and you can beat the AI with it by throwing enough of that unit at the AI's troops. Any of their units can form the core of a successful military (we are talking about the AI, afterall).

Even their cheap infantry is really useful in the early game, because of their long pikes.

In the meantime, by seeing what works better, in certain situations, you can gradually learn the Nation, and through that, the game.

And you have the option of easily switching gears in mid-game. Build too many chariots, and you can start supplimenting them with pikemen and archers, on the cheap.

You also don't have to worry about screwing up with a bad Pretender build.

Most anything will have some success, from an extremely high Bless, too low Magic, too hot, too cold, no growth, etc.

Low Dominion can be salvaged with TC's cheap priests (again, it's the AI). Expansion is solved by "build whatever", and the very decent starting army, so you can have an imprisoned Wyrm, or a statue, and still be successful.

You'll just become more successful, over time.