Ayyubids can go for reinforcement wing in Feudal Age and drop a ram with a Desert Raider to take down an early dock.

Ayyubids can also go advancement wing, double dock drop, and open with an archer ship to deny early water.

Ayyubid needs about 10 crossbows to stabilize against HRE Men-at-Arms with Marching Drills; a handful won't hold it.

HRE can drop relics inside docks on ponds for much quicker gold generation.

Meinwerk always gives you a good amount of value, especially when you age up to Castle Age. Like the steel barding is just such a big upgrade to have on your knights when you're up against a really good knight counter like the Camel Lancer or the Desert Raider. Having an additional two armor means that the Desert Raider, their ranged attack suddenly deals a lot less damage to you. They're not going to be able to kite you indefinitely with their ranged attack.