I played on deity for the first time today (continents standard 5civs) and went down spectacularly!
I build warriors and barracks till I hit pop 3. then a worker and then a settler. I lucked out as I found iron imediatly and my worker was right on top of it!:D
one more settler and then swordmen! I got out six when Mao attacked with 2 stacks one with 7 axemen, 4 horsearchers, 3 longbowmen, 5swordmen and the other had one less axemen!!

My question is simple how can anyone survive that?

One more thing I looked at the progress and saw that china had five cities by the time I founded my second! Is that normal?

Am I doing something wrong? I get no response at all?:cry:

I play on Emperor as a warmonger so I'm quite a ways off from attempting Diety. However, one thing you can try is found your early cities on hills for the extra defensive bonus. I do know that you want to cause the AI to suicide his attacking stacks on either a city or a forested hill. Once he's blown his attackers it'll take him a while to build back up and it's time for your own army to go offensive. You absolutely must pick your battles carefully due to the insane AI production rate and must have a very high kill ratio.

I also strongly suggest you play the Romans if you aren't already. They are by far the easiest civ to play and are the best way to start off learning a new difficulty level. Praetorians need a serious nerf.

If you aren't doing worker forest chops to build up your military faster then do that.

The AI starts with 2 settlers on deity, so the fact that they had 5 cities when you had 2 is not surprising at all. Both of their initial cities will pop another settler before you get your first out (even if you are chop rushing).

In my "survival" deity games in standard map, continents, normal speed, 7 civs; I have had to resort to friendship and bribery with neighbours, and luck with position for expansion. Wait until the immediate neighbour's religion spreads to you, or spread yours to them. Over time form a defensive alliance with your great friend, while trying to pick off another neighbour. Took me a whole game till the 1500's to pick one off, then someone wins spaceship win.

Xatharas I suggest read the threads on how to play deity in archipelago. And don't cry when you get no response after 15 minutes :P

Yes, founding a religion can be fatal on higher levels! :)

Also, don't panic if you get attacked early. Sometimes the AI just wants to do a a little pillaging and will accept peace if you manage to off his party. Had this happen as Inca vs. Monty. He sent some Jags in and laid waste to my capital, but ended up being my closest ally.

There is no response because Diety is too whacked to enjoy playing.

Not a lot of people play deity because even when you win on deity it is not particularly fun. I think emperor is the best balance between a challenging AI and a plethora of tactis available for winning. Beyond that (immortal, deity) is almost always one continuous series of wars in which you are outnumbered and exploiting AI weaknesses is the only way to win.

Play Inca on duel map. Declare war right away and then fortify your quechua in forest inside enemy city. In your city, build quechua, then worker, chop barrack, then chop for quechuas none stop. Once you have a slight advantage, attack and take a city. If there are more cities, rinse and repeat. Soon a diety conquest victory will be yours. This process can also be used for Rome, albeitly you need iron for your praetorian rush.

you're right, but i dont see the fun in a early slaughter on a mini-map. It doesn't sounds like Civilization anymore (building up a civilization to stand the test of time). But you're right to make a win with those settings.

i go for emperor.

thx for the feedback!

I normally play on noble and win mostly on time. I just wanted to see deity level and, well, I saw! :rolleyes:
I'll start on prince anwork my way up to emporor and leave the gods alone.