---
title: "Claude Sonnet 5 vs Gemini 3.8 Flash | OpenRA arena run | Evals by Jetty"
url: https://evaljetty.com/openra/runs/cup1-sf2-g1.html
description: "Claude Sonnet 5 destroyed the enemy base. Watch the full game with both models' reasoning and the run's evaluation."
updated: 2026-09-28
publisher: Jetty (https://jetty.io)
---

02 — Run · Pilot cup · Pilot cup · cup1-sf2-g1

# Claude Sonnet 5 vs Gemini 3.8 Flash

Claude Sonnet 5 destroyed the enemy base after 5.2 game-minutes · 6.2 min wall clock

Pilot game (run locally, before the Jetty runs)
[Replay (.orarep)](https://evaljetty.com/openra/media/cup1-sf2-g1.orarep)
[Decision log](https://evaljetty.com/openra/runs/cup1-sf2-g1/decisions.jsonl)
[Runtime config](https://evaljetty.com/openra/runs/cup1-sf2-g1/runtime_config.json)
[Validation report](https://evaljetty.com/openra/runs/cup1-sf2-g1/validation_report.json)

WIN ukraine · west

Claude Sonnet 5

anthropic/claude-sonnet-5

Value destroyed$9,400Value lost$1,100
Units killed / lost14 / 1Buildings killed / lost5 / 0
Peak army$4,500Orders issued89
Decision turns (failed)40 (0)Mean latency4.4sModel cost$0.248

LOSS france · east

Gemini 3.8 Flash

google/gemini-3.8-flash

Value destroyed$1,100Value lost$9,400
Units killed / lost1 / 14Buildings killed / lost0 / 5
Peak army$2,200Orders issued37
Decision turns (failed)40 (0)Mean latency2.6sModel cost$0.128

## Evaluation

No validation report stored for this run.

## Decision timeline

What each model saw as its situation and what it ordered, every 8 game-seconds. Click a turn to jump the video there.

## Decision timeline

Every 8 game-seconds each model received a text briefing and replied with its reasoning and commands. Time is game time.

- **0:00 Claude Sonnet 5**: Deploy MCV to start base, then queue power plant.
- **0:00 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Starting the match. Deploying MCV immediately to establish our Construction Yard and queuing our first Power Plant.
- **0:08 Claude Sonnet 5**: Deploy MCV already ordered; now start economy build queue.
- **0:08 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: MCV successfully deployed into ConYard. Power plant should finish shortly or needs to be queued/placed.
- **0:16 Claude Sonnet 5**: Place power plant, then start ore refinery and barracks to build economy.
- **0:16 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Power plant is ready; placing it immediately and starting an Ore Refinery to establish economy and get a harvester.
- **0:24 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue economy buildup: proc, barr, then war factory. Keep queue busy.
- **0:24 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Power plant is placed and active. Now starting Ore Refinery (proc) to establish economy.
- **0:32 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue economy build-up: after proc finishes, place it, then build barracks and power. Keep queue busy.
- **0:32 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Refinery is currently building at 23%. Waiting for it to finish so we can get our economy rolling with the free harvester.
- **0:40 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue economy buildup; proc and powr are queued. Once ready, place them and start barracks.
- **0:40 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Refinery is currently building at 46%. No units or defenses needed yet, waiting for refinery completion to start harvesting and build Allied Barracks.
- **0:48 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue base build-up: wait for proc, keep queue busy with barracks next.
- **0:48 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Ore Refinery is almost finished. I need to queue Barracks (tent) once ready, place the refinery, and start vehicle production soon.
- **0:56 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue base setup: proc and powr are building. Once ready I'll place them. Queue barracks next.
- **0:56 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Ore Refinery is finishing momentarily; pre-queue tent (barracks) immediately after. Once placed, get a second refinery or war factory depending on tech tree unlocks.
- **1:04 Claude Sonnet 5**: Place proc, keep building powr, then barracks.
- **1:04 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Ore Refinery is ready to place now. Place proc to get our economy and first harvester started, and ensure barracks completes next.
- **1:12 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue economy buildup, queue proc #2 after barracks, keep power ahead.
- **1:12 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Tent is finishing up shortly. I will queue a War Factory (weap) next to get vehicles rolling, and prepare to place tent and start training infantry for defense and scouting.
- **1:20 Claude Sonnet 5**: Place barracks, continue power plant, start expanding economy with second ore refinery and war factory soon.
- **1:20 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Place the completed Barracks and immediately start training scout/defense infantry. Keep the War Factory building to transition rapidly into armor.
- **1:28 Claude Sonnet 5**: Base is established. Keep building economy: proc and powr in progress. Start training infantry from barracks now, and queue more production.
- **1:28 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Barracks is up, War Factory is under construction. I will train infantry for defense/scouting and prepare to place War Factory and follow up with tanks or a second refinery.
- **1:36 Claude Sonnet 5**: Economy building up, keep training infantry and queue power/war factory next.
- **1:36 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: War Factory is progressing well and infantry is training. We have plenty of cash ($2321), so we can prepare more infantry production and send our idle scout towards the enemy start to reveal the map.
- **1:44 Claude Sonnet 5**: Economy building underway. Keep training infantry and queue war factory next for tanks.
- **1:44 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: War Factory is nearly done. Continue scouting west with rifle infantry and keep assembling our base defense force.
- **1:52 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue economy build up: proc finishing, weap started. Queue more power and train infantry. Keep idle army grouped near base.
- **1:52 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: War factory is finishing shortly. I will scout west toward the enemy base at (12, 16) with my lead rifleman while assembling defensive infantry. Once the War Factory completes, we'll queue a second refinery or light tanks.
- **2:00 Claude Sonnet 5**: Place proc, keep building army and economy. Continue infantry production and defend base while war factory builds.
- **2:00 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: War Factory is nearly complete. Scouting unit #136 continues west towards (12, 16), while base defenders consolidate. I will prepare to place the War Factory and queue power or a second refinery next.
- **2:08 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue building economy and army. Keep production queues full, group idle infantry to defend base until war factory finishes.
- **2:08 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: War Factory is about to finish; once placed, queue a second Ore Refinery to ramp up cash flow, or a power plant if needed. Scout e1 is pushing towards enemy start (12, 16) while idle infantry group defensively.
- **2:16 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue economy build-up, keep production running, group idle army near base for eventual push.
- **2:16 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Place the newly ready War Factory to unlock vehicle production. Continue scouting towards the enemy base at (12, 16) with infantry while building up forces.
- **2:24 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue economy and army buildup. War factory finishing soon, need fix depot after. Keep training infantry and set idle units to defend near base.
- **2:24 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: War Factory is up, and second Refinery is underway to boost economy. Cash is currently zero while harvester is returning, so hold vehicle queuing until refinery completes or ore deposits. Forward scout rifle unit continues toward enemy spawn.
- **2:32 Claude Sonnet 5**: Weap almost done, keep training infantry and queue power for balance. Mass idle troops near base center for now.
- **2:32 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Harvester is about to dump ore, which will fund the second refinery currently at 16%. Scout #136 is approaching the enemy base at (12, 16), while mid-field infantry are advancing. Once cash arrives from harvester delivery, refinery will finish and unlock our second harvester.
- **2:40 Claude Sonnet 5**: Production is running well with buildings and infantry queued. Let units group defensively while economy builds up, then push once tanks arrive.
- **2:40 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Currently out of cash waiting for harvester #132 to unload into proc #130. Scout #136 is approaching the enemy base at (22, 18) towards (12, 16); rally infantry together around mid field.
- **2:48 Claude Sonnet 5**: Solid economy and infantry ready. Keep building queue going, prep for tank production, and group idle infantry into a defensive stance while scouting toward enemy base.
- **2:48 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Scout unit #136 has spotted the enemy harvester near (17,17), confirming their base location. Cash is low while proc #2 is finishing; our army rally should keep advancing towards (17,17) to harass the harvester and scout the main base.
- **2:56 Claude Sonnet 5**: War factory almost done; queue fix depot next for tank production. Keep training infantry, set idle army to defend base for now, scout lightly with a couple units.
- **2:56 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Harvester #132 will soon unload to fund our second refinery and light tank production. Scouting rifle #136 and our advancing infantry force are closing in on the enemy base at (12, 16) to harass economy and scouts.
- **3:04 Claude Sonnet 5**: Idle infantry should mass up near base rather than sit split. Wait for war factory and power to finish; keep training queue full but cash-limited. Group army together for eventual push.
- **3:04 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Our vanguard infantry (#139, #141, #143, #144, #146, #148) is closing in on enemy start (12, 16). Harvester is unloading soon to unpause proc #2 and light tank production. Keep pressure on the enemy base area.
- **3:12 Claude Sonnet 5**: Enemy infantry group near our base at (19,16). Attack with our massed infantry to defend and destroy them before they hurt harvesters. Keep building econ/army.
- **3:12 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Advanced scout force is at (19, 16), right outside the likely enemy base at (12, 16). Harvester is mining, waiting on funds to complete proc #2 and light tank, then will establish base control.
- **3:20 Claude Sonnet 5**: Place war factory, keep econ/army building, attack nearby enemy infantry.
- **3:20 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Our scouting force has located the enemy refinery at (15,17) and an enemy rocket soldier; finish off the refinery and enemy units. Production continues on our 2nd refinery and light tank.
- **3:28 Claude Sonnet 5**: Large idle infantry force ready. Push toward enemy base while continuing production and power.
- **3:28 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Our initial harassing units reached the enemy base area and took losses, but we need to regroup. Second refinery is building to scale economy, while Light Tank and Rocket Soldiers continue production.
- **3:36 Claude Sonnet 5**: Power is low, still building powr. Continue infantry production and push army toward enemy base. Send idle rocket soldier to join main group.
- **3:36 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Second refinery and light tank are progressing nicely. I will keep infantry moving toward the enemy approach and prepare for the second refinery placement soon.
- **3:44 Claude Sonnet 5**: Power still low, queue more powr. Army is big enough (17 units) to push toward enemy base at (95,11). Keep infantry production going and second harvester.
- **3:44 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Proc is almost done which will provide a second harvester and boost economy. Cash is currently tight, so wait for current proc and 1tnk to finish before ordering further expensive tech.
- **3:52 Claude Sonnet 5**: Place ready power plant, keep economy growing, push army toward enemy base with a large attack group.
- **3:52 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Second refinery is at 63% and Light Tank is at 58%, cash is very low while harvester gathers ore. Need to wait for refinery to finish, place it for extra income and harvester, then build power and fix.
- **4:00 Claude Sonnet 5**: Army is grouped mid-map heading east. Keep pushing toward enemy base and continue economy/production.
- **4:00 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Second refinery is nearly finished; upon placement power will dip, so queue powr immediately. Light tank is completing; queue another light tank and keep economy rolling.
- **4:08 Claude Sonnet 5**: Army is grouped mid-map, push toward enemy base at (95,11). Keep econ and production rolling; queue more infantry and a harvester.
- **4:08 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Proc is almost finished and will need immediate placement to secure income and our second harvester. Power is queued up, which will offset the power drain once proc finishes. Pulling back solitary rocket soldier to base defense.
- **4:16 Claude Sonnet 5**: Army is pushing toward enemy at (95,11). Keep production going, add more harvester income, and continue attack.
- **4:16 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Proc is almost done at 81% and light tank at 94%. Cash is currently zero, so wait for the harvester to drop ore and finish the refinery to unlock the second harvester.
- **4:24 Claude Sonnet 5**: Continue push toward enemy base with main army; keep economy running; queue more units.
- **4:24 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Refinery is finishing soon; we need it placed as soon as ready to boost income with the second harvester. Power is tight, so keep power in queue next, followed by Service Depot (fix) for medium tanks. Keep building 1tnk and rocket soldiers in the meantime.
- **4:32 Claude Sonnet 5**: Army is already near enemy base at (95,11). Push attack with all units to destroy buildings while economy continues in background.
- **4:32 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Enemy infantry ball is right at our base perimeter (93,9). Proc is 95% done, so place it as soon as ready to secure eco and get second harvester, while using light tank carefully against their rocket/rifle cluster.
- **4:40 Claude Sonnet 5**: Army is already near enemy base at (95,11); attack buildings directly to finish them off. Keep economy running.
- **4:40 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Enemy infantry swarm is directly at our barracks and base! We have $0, low power, and our proc is at 95% while 1tnk is building. We must repair our damaged buildings, let proc finish and place it immediately for cash and a harvester, then squash infantry with our newly built light tank.
- **4:48 Claude Sonnet 5**: Army is at enemy base near-destroyed factory. Keep attacking to finish enemy buildings, focus fire fact (10%) first for possible instant kill on structures.
- **4:48 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Our power plant was destroyed, causing a blackout, and the ConYard #122 is critically damaged at 10% hp with enemy infantry right outside. Immediately repair the ConYard and Tent, build a Pillbox or defensive structure to deal with the mass infantry, and finish the power plant.
- **4:56 Claude Sonnet 5**: Enemy base still has 3 buildings, my army is mostly nearby. Push all units to finish them off.
- **4:56 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Our ConYard was destroyed and we are under a massive infantry swarm at our barracks. We have a Light Tank and Rocket Soldiers finishing, and we must build a second harvester or spam Light Tanks to crush the infantry while repairing the Barracks.
- **5:04 Claude Sonnet 5**: My army is already at the enemy base with tent at 13% hp. Push all attacking units to finish off buildings, keep economy running.
- **5:04 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: Base is under heavy attack by enemy infantry swarming tent #134. We have $0 cash, no refinery, and no ConYard. Harvester #132 is our only asset besides barracks and war factory; let's crush the enemy infantry with harv #132 if possible, or keep harvesting.
- **5:12 Claude Sonnet 5**: My army is clustered near enemy base already; continue attack_move to finish them off. Keep economy running.
- **5:12 Gemini 3.8 Flash**: We have been completely wiped out—zero buildings, zero units, and zero cash. The match is effectively lost as there are no assets left to command.

---
Source: https://evaljetty.com/openra/runs/cup1-sf2-g1.html · Evals by Jetty · Run your own evals: https://jetty.io/?utm_source=evaljetty&utm_medium=llms