And we say that the meta evolves during the tournament, because some players discover new strategies (from other players) and need to adapt.We then say that each group comes into the tournament with their own meta, that is their understanding of what is strong and what is weak.there are often several (potentially overlapping) groups of players training together (“bootcamping”), trying to improve their skill and to figure out the meta, that is civs and strategies per map.which strategies / build orders / units compositions are the most used for each map and civ matchup.The usage I often hear is about the perception of high level players and pros about the best way to play (giving highest chances to win), which in aoe2 refers to: The term “meta” is often used in many games, but I don’t know if it is very clearly defined. ‘Off-meta’ is still a tool to consider, and I would suggest to leave yourself open to everything you personally percieve as useful to you. If might not be the only action available to you, but you should consider the pros and cons of doing the best thing you think you can do vs something that’s what you think is more probable that the opponent won’t expect it and hopefully surprise the opponent enough for you to grasp the victory. In contrast ‘off meta’ would be what you perceive would not be the best course of action to win, however it may be still a decent course of action.

Watching others better than you may help you develop it however, relying too much on other’s perception of meta will dull your own perception of meta as well as your ability to adapt on your own whims. Your own ‘meta’ or, rather, your own perception is your own ‘meta’ and how you develop it is fully up to you. Often times ‘meta’ by the masses is what they think players better than them are doing while this isn’t exactly wrong, it is the perception of what’s best that would better define meta. This is only part of what meta actually is and it would be foolish to think that’s all there is to ‘meta’ strategies. Often these days ‘meta’ is used for ‘what’s the best way I can quickly disable/dismantle my opponent and win’ Expect nothing of meta, only that it is simply a term to be used for whatever appears to be the best action or reaction at the time as well as to know your options available regardless of civ or opponent’s civ. Meta fluctuates, it is never stable, and whoever might become the most flexible with the quickest and/or most sensible actions and reactions may become the most able to force a ‘meta’ upon the opponent.

Basically it’s about what players ‘percieve’ as what they consider to be the most optimal play style/micro/composition/tactics/etc for whatever may either push the enemy into a corner the most effectively with the least losses or to react to whatever the opponent is dishing out in the most optimal way perceivable.

Meta in gaming definition