Spoiler 1 qualifications:
Reading Requirements:
Entered the middle-ages.
Full view of starting continent.
Contact with all civs on starting continent.


Posting Restrictions:
No pictures showing middle-age (or later) resources.
No pictures showing anything not on the starting continent.
No discussions of any events that happen off the starting continent (although you may discuss contact with civs not on the starting continent, provided you do not give details of their location, cities etc)


The spoiler is for discussion of the early game. The intent is for people to discuss their initial city locations, build queues, tile works, diplomacy and conflicts. Please restrict discussion to events that occur on the starting continent - if you have contact with other civilizations that start on other landmasses, you may mention these contacts, and any actions they have on your starting continent - please do not discuss events on their continent(s)!

Thread now open.

Predator conquest challenge
I micro managed the start of this game very hard indeed. I think even Paperbeetle would be impressed by my attention to detail. Of course thats not to say that I didn't mess up quite a bit. I just thought a lot more about my mistakes before I made them. :p

As per usual my note taking was terrible but I'll reconstruct what I can from my saves and the viewer.

The plan
Being a small map with 7 rivals on Monarch I thought the best way to go would be an early rush with swords. I decided that it would also probably be best do the whole conquest on foot as I would be using min research in the AA to get cash to upgrade warriors to swords and would therefore not get to Knights in time to be competitive.

The chances are I would need the Great Lighthouse to get to the other continent. Therefore I should build this myself rather than relying one of my local civs. I wouldn't be getting to astronomy this game and didn't fancy ship chaining accross an ocean. Building the GL myself should also allow me to kick off my golden age as long as I can capture either the Oracle or Pyramids first.

The other key points of focus will be setting up the second core ASAP and getting to Monarchy. I would also need iron working early as if there is no local iron my whole plan becomes buggered.

Initial settlement
I settled one square NW to get the BG's in the first ring. Following McW's first law I immediately began work on a granary which would be followed by a settler. The numbers worked quite nicely so that the granary came through in 3000BC with 18 food in the box. The settler came through 5 turns later in 2750BC and I founded Bombay (two squares west by the cow) in 2670BC.

Development
After building some exploring warriors, a worker and a barracks. Delhi operated at size 1-2, building warriors and workers for 5SPT. With the aid of a chop, Bombay was was set up as a 6 turn combo factory which operated at size 3-5. The remaining towns (which were set up at RCP 3) built barracks, warriors and the odd worker. We also had to build a galley to get the two RCP 3 slots on the nearby Island. One of the coastal RCP3 towns began work on a Palace as a pre-build for the Great Lighthouse.

Research
I took my usual research path. After doing pottery on full I did Maths and Currency on Min. I managed to trade for a reasonable number of AA techs. I was also able to use my strong army to get a couple by renegotiating peace deals with the AI.

The first war
The Aztecs founded their first town at RCP 5.5 from Delhi. This should have been enough to earn them the first dow. However, they bought themselves 20 more turns by donating all their gold and Poly.

The honour of being the first opponent therefore went to Japan (in 1250BC). I used my newly upgraded swords to take Koyoto and raise another town. I was given Satsuma in peace.

The decision
The next opponents were to be Egypt. I was keen to get on with the job of killing them. However, from my embassies it seemed that Thebes was to build the Pyramids. Therefore I left my swords outside and did not press the attack. This turned out to be a waste of time as 4 turns before it was due to come in the Pyramids were built on the other continent. Meh.

The QSC
Now I foolishly forgot to take my save at 1000BC but I did get one at 950BC. At this time my highlights were;

10 towns (2 granaries, 6 barracks, 19 turns until Great Lighthouse)
29 pop
1 settler, 8 workers
3 warriors, 17 swords
1 galley

Techwise I missed construction, currency, code, lit, republic and monarchy.

Messing things up
As usual I then played without any focus for a while. I dowed the Aztecs in 775BC and ROP Raped Egypt in 690BC. I did some fake peace deals and mopped up the remaining towns over the next 300-400 years.

I did however make a few mistakes at this point. I did a pointless min research on republic when what I really needed was to get out of despotism to Monarchy not more swords from upgrading. I also didn't manage to kick off my golden age as there were no religious wonders on our continent and was too slow building my FP so didn't get my second core up early enough either.

I did get lucky and get a GL whilst in 490BC which I used to rush a Palace and avoided having to mess around doing a palace jump.

Overall
Despite a few bad decisions I was reasonably happy. The home continent was substantially conquered (other than a couple of Egyptian villages) by 290BC. At this time I had also found my way to the other continent(s) (I won't say how) and I had lots of Galleys ready to transport my large army. My second core was up and running and I had the Great Lighthouse.

Still in the Ancient Age but the rest goes beyond the scope of this spoiler :)

I did not really have a goal for this game except a little fast and furious war-mongering and thus my notes are sketchy at best.

Worker goes west and sees 2 more bgs. Thus Delhi is build NW of the starting position. I did not build granaries, but 3-4 warriors and then barracks and archers.

In 1700bc stupid me researches philosophy and only then realizes, that this is not Conquests. :blush:

In 1400bc, Great Leader Chandragupta hurries The Pyramids.:)

At 1000bc, I had founded 3 cities (including Delhi), reduced Japan to 1 remote town and captured Egypt's core.

Republic of India was established 775bc, Middle Ages started 510bc.

[civ3mac] [ptw] Open Class

...to discuss their initial city locations, build queues, tile works, diplomacy and conflicts...

I'll do my best.

Once I read that it would be a small map with a crowded landmass I opted for an early archer rush. I settled on the starting spot and set about establishing 2 more cities before attacking my nearest neighbor. My initial build-queue was warrior (to scout)-warrior-settler. I kept my first core of cities tight. My first tech researched was WC, followed by IW. I did pick up some early techs in trades.

I made contact with my landmass-mates in this order: Egypt, Japan, and Aztecs. After disovering that Egypt was covered in kudzu, I chose Japan as my first target - their land was much more productive.

I was able to dispatch Japan with little trouble. After initiating the offensive with a stack of 10 - 12 archers, I was able to divide that stack and add reinforcements while assimilating Japan.

I entered the MA in 190 BC, before the Egyptians and Aztecans.

I seem to have taken up the Predator Conquest Challenge without really intending to. :rolleyes: I had planned on a fast domination but it seems that the cards have ordained conquest instead. In either case, I have been at war almost from the beginning.

Like everyone else I came to the obvious conclusion that war will be of the essence right from the beginning because of the crowded map. I planned on a tight build, likely RCP3. I moved north-west and built Delhi. The worker moved on to work the BGs. Since we had plenty of shields but little food in the area, I started by researching The Wheel. Build order: warrior-warrior-warrior-settler-barracks.

In 3400BC, I met an Aztec settler who promptly planted a town in my first ring! A bit further to the west, I spotted red borders so I decide to wait until meeting this civ before trading. Two turns later, I met the Japs and Egyptians. I traded Alphabet to Toko for TW and WC. Alpha +TW to Cleo for Masonry and BW. Next turn, I stole a couple of her workers civ 4 style and I had my first war. I was never at peace again.

3000 Pottery -> HBR
2900 Horses found to the north and the south-west :)
Masonry & Pots to Japan for HBR; start Math
2850 Bombay founded to claim the cows -> Granary
2800 Buy worker from Aztecs for Masonry + HBR
2590 GH north of Azteca gives angry barbs.
2430 Delhi Barracks -> archer
2350 Buy worker from Aztecs
2270 Peace to Cleo. Worker for HBR + 35g
2070 Math. Trade to Toko for Writing. Writing to Cleo for IW. IW to Toko for a worker. Alpha to Monte for 26g.
2150 Bombay granary -> settler
1990 Snatch an Aztec settler
1790 Madras founded -> barracks
1675 Bangalore-> barracks; Calcutta -> barracks
1550 CoL
1525 Teohuatican destroyed; peace to Aztecs for Myst + 40g
1475 Lahore founded, bringing the horses on line.
1375 Grab a Jap settler; Karachi founded -> barracks; first horse trained
1300 Kyoto falls; peace to Japan for MM, TM and 66g.
1100 Declare on Egypt
1075 Very bad RNG at Heliopolis; three archers fall, promoting two spears flawlessly so I stop the attack. But Elephantine falls to two archers.
1050 Jaipur Founded.

QSC stats
12 cities Pop 21, 203g
Missing 3 required techs and all the optionals. Four turns from Republic
1 settler, 3 workers and 8 slaves
2 warriors, 3 archers, 4 horsemen and 1 galley

I stopped taking notes around this time but I switched to Republic as soon as I learned it and entered the Middle Ages sometime around 700 BC. The AI turned out to be useless as research partners so all further knowledge was gained through self-research.

At some point I got a leader and used it to rush the Great Lighthouse, hoping that would be good enough to reach the other continent. I forget whether this happened before or after I entered the ME but, in either case, the question of whether my hopes were realized is beyond the scope of this thread. :p

I am surprised that not many settled by the cow. It seemed like a classic trail of breadcrumbs... though I do not play much PTW, moving the settler along the river to get an RCP 3 ring with the capital at the center was key and revealed the cow :confused:.

Anyway, going from memory, research was straight to republic. Republic was established in 1075 BC. The Aztecs settled Teotihuacan right by the mountain to the NW, allowing my warrior contact with both Japan and Aztecs simultaneously. Traded around for the wheel, BW, and some change. Settled a quick ring and then the silks while preparing for war. I built horses, horses, and more horses. The AI was pretty pathetic (helped by a proxy war pairing the Aztecs vs. the Japanese), and all two opponents were OCCed by the MA (japan destroyed), which was self researched in the 500-600 BC range around the time with contact with the other continent.

No leader, so I had to self build the Great Lighthouse.

Class open
Game without the purpose
The basic preconditions
The map small also will suffice galley. A level low, the technology should study without the help of computers. From wonders Pyramids, Lighthouse, Hanging gardens, War Academy and JS Bach are important.
1 Step - a place for capital. On coast it is bad, there are no bonuses. I go inside of continent on the West. Two turns - already good place. River + ivory + forest - Delhi is settled.
3 step primary expansion. Turn of construction worker - warrior - settler - archer - warrior - settler - archer - settler - archer - archer. 3 cities settled - Bomdey - 2270, Madras - 1910, Bangalor - 1700.
4 archers hunt for barbarians and extract money for studying technologies. Japan settled capital in my territory. 1675 - Kioto it is captured and 1525 settled Calkutta close silks. A mistake in a choice of a place for Lahore - it is very close to Elephantine.
5 Up to 1000 BC technologies - Pottery - Writing - CoL - Philo - Republic (10 turns). The others are taken away or bought.
6 Development of cities. Temple - barraks - horsmens.
QSC status very low
cities - 7
citizen - 24
workers - 6 (3+3)
warrior - 4
archer - 4
horsman - 5
MA only in 310ВС...
Leaders only 2 pieces. The first - Pyramids in the capital, the second - FP in Heliopolis.
MA status
cities - 14
citizen - 68
workers - 15 (4+11)
warrior - 4
archer - 3
horsman - 14

Predator class, going for fast conquest.

Moved worker west, settled on the spot, maximum research towards monarchy, started building warrior for exploration. Worker mines straight away on the second turn to finish the warrior just before city expansion and growth. First road also laid.

Turn 12-20, met aztecs who laid a settler down around the nearby cow, I took a chance and destroyed them with a regular. Popped a hut, got a conscript. Met Japs, think I traded Alpha for BW and WC plus change. First settler goes out to the still steaming rubble that was Tlatoloco (or w/e), starts with warrior then settler. Met Cleo, traded I think for Masonry. No retaliation from Aztecs by this time so gave peace for 10 of their coins (all they had).

Turn 25ish-50, nearly finished settlers in each town, decide to abandon Delhi for palace relocation to Bombay. Madras is built over Dehli's ruins, Bangalore founded south of new capital and just beats Japan to the horses and iron. Can't remember who I traded IW and TW with, but I had diverted from the route to Monarchy by researching writing. Not gonna waste cash on embassies when I plan to get rid of these 3 pretty soon. Japans hogging all the wine, so almost all my forces go for Tokyo. With the palace behind the river, I was taking my chances. Think I lost 3 axes and a bow, only just managed to move in with an elite axe and a redlined bow sitting outside. No retaliation again (barbs were probably making a nuisance of themselves), gave peace for Kyoto and a slave. Japs are all stuck in Osaka now, they won't be bothering me anymore, time to start sapping Egypt before they go Golden and run too far ahead.

QSC 1000BC.
Barbs and REXing has spread my troops too thin to mount any decent assault on Alexandria, the nearest yellow. Can't see any War chariots yet however. Might have to stay on the defensive until Cleo feels like talking.
Stats are: 13 techs (need maths, phil, CoL, Con, Cur), 1 settler, 1 worker, 8 slaves, 8 axes, 2 bows, 3 horses, 1 boat, 10 cities (2 foreign), 13 pop, 571 gold +24pt.

(How do I attach screeny?)Link (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showpost.php?p=3460639&postcount=15) for posting multiple images within text. I hope it is of use.

On a different note I've finally got around to finishing a GOTM for the first time in ages. I'll post my contribution soon, unimpressive as it is.

PTW Predator going for 20K.

Well PaperBeetle has promised me a 20K Predator challenge, and after I gave him a good thrashing last time round he needs to raise his game.

I settle NW, this will be my 20K city. Build order is something like: warrior -> temple -> settler. But I can't remember much in detail except that I built the following cultural improvements:

Palace 3950 BC
Temple 3400 BC
Colossus 1675 BC
Great Library 670 BC
Library 530 BC
Colosseum 70 AD
Hanging Gardens 30 AD

Tech pace was swift, at least early on, because of all those civs crammed in to such little space. I had a bit of ancient age war with the Japanese using swords once I got the iron hooked up (plentiful iron supplies on your doorstep makes for a much more enjoyable game). It progressed nicely enough since the Japanese refused to connect up the iron that was sitting just outside of Tokyo. Managed to take the majority of their cities, and sued for peace getting contacts with the remaining off-continent civs, some gold and one town on the eastern landmass. I could have taken a few more cities but I had left my 20K city completely undefended when the Japanese landed an archer one tile away from it. So I took one more city and sued for peace. Fortunately enough the Japanese are an honourable bunch and once peace was declared the archer turned round and went home, rather than sneak attack like I would have done. Also got me a leader which I will probably use to rush theSistine Chapel when I have the tech.

Hmmm, that probably takes me up to the end of the Ancient Age.

[civ3mac][ptw] Open. Trying for a fast conquest to get my hand back in.

Given such a bloodthirsty objective, the Ancient Era turned out to be surprisingly peaceful ... except for a few barbs :rolleyes:.

I founded Delhi on the spot and built a couple of warrior to explore. Finding Egypt and Japan close by, and discovering a cow and a river at distance 4, I decided to focus on building an RCP 4 ring, hoping to complete it using the land I could see to the east. So I then built a settler, and founded Bombay between the cow and the ivory in 2850 BC.

I went for a max research run and self-researched Writing, Literature, CoL, Philosophy, Republic, Currency, Construction and Polytheism, trading for the rest of the Ancient era techs. The restless barbs helped to fund reerach, and also kept AI workers at home, so I was also able to buy a few slaves when trading for techs.

The first warrior wend west and met the Japanese in 3300 BC and traded Alphabet for Warrior Code and cash. The second warrior went north, found a wandering Japanese warrior and followed him west in case he had designs on our undefended capital. He found the Egyptian border in 2800 BC and traded Alphabet for Bronze and Pottery and cash. The first warrior found the Aztec border in 2590 BC and Writing was completed the same turn. The Aztecs had Mysticism, but I decided not to trade it for Writing. Although they seemed to be close neighbours, the Japanese and Aztecs needed an introduction, and we traded contact for The Wheel. A few turns later Japan learnt Mysticism and its price dropped sufficiently for them to trade us us Masonry and Mysticism, plus a slave, for Writing.

A period of building archers and losing them to the local barbs delayed development for a while, and Bombay didn't complete the next settler until 1830 BC.

The Wheel had disclosed a source of horses close to the Japanese border. That decided my second city location, and also nominated Japan as my probable first victim. Madras was founded in 1725 BC at distance 6, delaying development of my first ring. The RCP 4 ring was completed on the mainland with Bangalore (1350 BC) and Calcutta (1125 BC), both on the coast. And those five towns were the Indian empire at 1000 BC. I figured the AI would build most of my towns for me, and concentrated on infrastructure and horses.

Cleo researched Iron Working, and she and Monty also contributed Mathematics, Map Making and HBR. Those were the last techs contributed by the AI.

QSC stats at 1000 BC:

- 5 towns, 13 citizens, 2 barracks, 2 libraries. Building 3 barracks.

- 4 workers, 3 slaves, 4 warriors, 3 archers, 2 galleys. Building 2 settlers for the eastern island.

- All AA techs except Construction, Maths, Currency, Polytheism. Researching Republic (9 turns to go)

- Map of the home continent almost complete. 234 gold in the bank.

When Map Making came in I had built a couple of galleys and checked out the land to the east. As it turned out to be a useful island, complete with horses and iron, it seemed like a good idea to spam out some settlers from Bombay and Delhi and claim it for myself before the AI went for it, so Lahore and Karachi were built in 900 BC and 850 BC at radius 4, followed by Kolhapur at radius 6 in 750 BC.

Meanwhile, in 800 BC the worthy citizens finished the turn with a Despotic government, learnt about La Republique, and immediately revolted. In 410 BC we completed research on Polytheism and arrived in the Middle Ages.

At this point we had:

- 9 towns, 30 citizens, 4 barracks, 3 libraries, 1 granary.

- 8 workers, 3 slaves, 5 warriors, 3 archers, 4 horses, 2 galleys

- Complete home continent map and all AA techs except Monarchy. 158 gold in the bank.

- Horses, ivory and silks were hooked up.

Here's a picture of my cute little civilization at 390 BC as we enter the, perhaps less peaceful, Medieval Era.

[ptw] open. Goal eventually became 100K but I can't remember when I decided upon this. Opening turns were embarrasingly lacking in direction.

I didn't spot the breadcrumbs, Killer, and so I settled after one move. By 1300BC I had four towns and Egypt had just connected their horses. I hate fighting the Egyptians once they have those all-conquering War Chariots so my 'massive' SOD of 3 archers, a spear and a vet warrior attacked Heliopolis before they could get going.

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads12/1300BC_war.JPG

I razed their horses town and placed an Indian town in that area, but despite reinforcements, my attack could not take Thebes. However I did have those horses and although I was by no means a great power, they were even more feeble than I!

The war continued beyond the QSC period but my 1000BC stats were:
6 cities-16 pop
3rax and 1 granary
450g + 20gpt
5 warriors, 6 archers and a spear
9 workers
Still need MM, HBR, Maths, Poly, Curr and Construction to get out of the AA.
Republic in 19 turns @ 10%.

Regrouping and attacking with force, my archers finally took the Egyptian capital in 875BC. I took maths, MM, their WM and their treasury in the subsequent PT.

In 570BC I entered Republic and continued with min research for currency. In 550BC I was poised to attack Japan and I demanded HBR in tribute. They gave it but I declared on them anyway.:D I had 13 vet warriors to upgrade once I could steal their iron and so I sent a small force of 2 spears and an elite archer with a settler whilst my other 3 archers and 4 horses defended the homeland. 2 turns in and I was set to build a new town in Japanese lands, steal their iron and upgrade those warriors.

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads12/510BC_jpn_settler.JPG

Once I had their iron, Japan folded quickly. Their capital was defended by a reg warrior and a reg archer would you believe!!!

In 350BC I had some luck in getting a suicide galley to make contact with an overseas civ. My galleys sunk the next turn but I bought contacts, WMs and Polytheism in subsequent trades.

Once I had broken the Japanese I declared on the Aztecs at around 250BC. In 90AD I got my first GL, which I use for a sword army. Before I could even think about completing Herioc Epic though, I got a second GL in 150AD, which I used for the GLHouse.

In 230AD my 40 turn research on currency was completed and I entered the MA. As someone who tends to play more often for fast research, I found this very strange. Screenshot (minus the spoiler WM beyond the starting continent):

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads12/start_of_MA.JPG

Now for Lit and to use that massive cash surplace for some serious research, heading towards Communism and pop-rushing culture.

Once I had their iron, Japan folded quickly. Their capital was defended by a reg warrior and a reg archer would you believe!!!
I noticed that Japan never built a spear in my game, just warriors and archers defending. And I didn't start on them until the Middle Ages! I wonder if they were modified in some way :hmm:

I noticed that Japan never built a spear in my game, just warriors and archers defending. And I didn't start on them until the Middle Ages! I wonder if they were modified in some way :hmm:
Not anything intentional!

Good to see you finding time to play, though! :D

Now that you come to mention it, Alan, I don't remember seeing any either. I've just checked a few CivAssist achives and I could find no evidence of a single Japanese spear. Just warriors, archers and the odd sword.

And I didn't start on them until the Middle Ages!Yes, but remember that my AA dragged on forever with two 40-turn research projects.:blush: Your MA started in 410BC which was only 2 turns after I had taken Kyoto.

Japan has 'build offensive land units' flagged as 'build often'. I guess that explains why the prioritise the attacking units over the defensive ones.

I also never saw a Japanese Spear. Infact, seeing that they had warriors as their best defenders I declared war on them and sent them away to a better place.

Move settler 1NW, founded Delhi 3950 BC.
Bombay built 2750 BC, 1 NW of the cow.
1700BC, Madras founded CxxC from Osaka. Madras is 1 SE of the horse. (Osaka 2 NE of Iron)
1400BC, Bangalore founded 1N of the Silks.
1050 BC, Osaka was razed, and I built Calcutta 2N of Dehli.
1025 BC, Madras' culture expands. I station a unit on the hill, giving a full view of the lack of adequet defence inside Kyoto. By now i also had taken the Kyoto Iron with Bombay's cultural Radius.
950 BC, Lahore founded on the ruins of Osaka.
710 BC, Kolhapur and Karachi built. Karachi is on the Eastern Island, Kolhapur is in the snow. 20 years later, Jaipur is built behind the 2 mountains.
510 BC, Hyderabad built, 2E 1NE of Delhi. Will become a high production city due to many BGs.
390 BC, Bengal found 4NE of Karachi. 1W, 1SW of Bengal is the Iron on the eastern island.
290 BC, Chittagong founded, 1W of the hill in the plains (on island). Also, the Indians declare war on Japan, since they still dont have a spear in Kyoto. :eek:
270 BC, Kyoto captured.
250 BC, Tokyo Razed. (it was 1S, 3SW of Kyoto) Edo founded 1E, 1NE of Tenochitlan. (love that "must found city" mindset) I signed peace with Japan shortly after that, since the 'Tecs would finish them off in the not too distant future.
150 BC, Punjab founded on the ruins of Tokyo.
50 BC, Dacca founded 1NW of the island cow. Unfortunately, Egypt has founded a city at the northern most tip.

Which left me at the start of the AD's with 15 cities, and 216 tiles.

And the war vs Egypt had just started too.
30 AD, Elephantine Razed.
90 AD, Thebes captured, but re-captured immediatly by the Egyptians.
110 AD, Thebes captured.
130 AD, Indus built on the ruins of Elephantine (3S of Thebes)
150 AD, Egyptian island city razed.
250 AD, Pune and Ganges settled.
Entered the MA about 400AD, in a republic, Research off (Egypt built the Great Lib for me).Stockpiling gold for an imminent upgrade of my Swords to MDIs, to kill Egypt.
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9752/capture200606152243032pu.jpg

Aiming for a domination win, all thanks to Japan's lack of spearmen.

EDIT: No need to worry about a fast domination win from me though, the AI were excrutiatingly slow to learn Chivalry, leaving me waiting for a long time to attack the Aztecs with War Elephants.

Predator PtW

Settled NW. Build warrior-granary. Science pottery.

Foreign Relations
3450 meet Japan
3400 meet Aztecs
3200 meet Egypt
2590 war with Egypt - I saw a juicy settler pair behind Thebes
2270 peace with Egypt w/o any further action
1650 Japan DoWs after I reject a demand
1500 peace with Japan after one captured city. Get a village in treaty
1325 Again war with Japan. Ally Aztecs and Egypt so they can help me defend my acquisitions.
1250 First (and only on home continent :() leader - builds pyramids in Kyoto
1200 Peace with Japan again. War with Aztec and Egypt, because the alliances were coupled with peace renegotiations. Japan plays OCC.
975 peace with Egypt
925 peace with Aztec
825 final war with Japan. Take their last city.
710 Contact with everybody else.

Science
3450 trade for the Wheel
3400 trade for the rest of pottery and for WC
3200 trade for BW and masonry
2850 trade for HBR
2350 writing researched; trade for IW
1790 trade for mysticism and philosophy
1700 CoL researched
1450 Mathematics researched
1325 trade for map making
1175 trade for literature
975 Republic researched - revolt IBT so republic immediately established
875 Polytheism researched
750 Currency researched
710 trade for construction -> Middle Ages

Cities
3950BC settled Delhi
2550BC settled (holy cow town) Bombay
1675BC captured Japanese Satsuma, settled Madras
1575BC settled Bangalore
1525BC got Tokyo in peace treaty
1450BC settled Calcutta
1425BC settled Lahore
1400BC give up Satsuma (tundra town not worth the low corruption rank)
1300BC captured Japanese Kyoto, settled Karachi
1225BC settled Kolhapur
1200BC got Edo in peace treaty
1100BC captured Aztec Teotihuacan
1000BC raze egypt Heliopolis

QSC:
12 cities, 31 pop
Pyramids, 4 temples, 3 barracks
3 workers, 9 slaves, 6 horses, 1 warrior, 1 archer, 1 galley

950 raze Aztec Tlaxcala
925 got Aztec Tlatelolco in peace treaty
875BC settled Jaipur
825BC captured Japanese Osaka
775BC settled Hyderabad
730BC settled Bengal and Chittagong

Well, I didn't start with a real goal in mind, but it looks like I'll join the conquest crowd.

Not anything intentional!

Good to see you finding time to play, though! :D

Japan have been very odd lately. I noticed this in the France game as well where I found large stacks of catapults in nearly all their towns and almost no culture at all.

Not that I am complaining!

The Vedas
I moved my settler nw and settled Delhi in 3950BC, starting a rax. Delhi is producing +2 food, 2 spt. Start researching pottery @ 90%, will get in 11. Ivory is spotted to the wnw. Worker roads and mines. By 3450BC, the border expands and cattle is spotted 2w, 1nw of Delhi. I plan a ring 4 placement. Worker moves sw, Delhi is now at 4 spt. In 3300BC India contacts a Japanese warrior and I trade alpha for warcode + 30. At this time I am defenseless, so I start worrying. Fortunately the warrior turns n. The rax is completed in 3200BC, the first archer is begun. Science is cut to 70%, delaying by 2 turns. In 2950BC Delhi reaches pop 3, so I move citizen to forest to get archer2 in 3 turns. Archer1 stays home as defense and MP. I max research, running a deficit of 1 per turn.

A Crowded Neighborhood
In 2800BC, Delhi completes a second archer and starts a 3rd. BW is researched, start on IW. Japan refuses to take pottery for wheel.
In 2670BC the 3rd archer is completed and he goes exploring, as Delhi starts a grainary.
In 2510BC the Egyptians are spotted. They have masonry, won't trade for alpha. They send a settler pair into our lands, we attack them in 2470BC and take slaves. In 2350BC the ivory is roaded just in time for Delhi to reach pop 4. Slaves retreat to the cow as Delhi finishes the grainary, starting a settler. Then Japan tries to move in. In 2190BC archer attacks their settler pair, taking slaves. Next turn, Delhi pops a settler and starts another archer. In 2070BC I learn IW, start the wheel. Bombay is founded at this time and starts a rax.

Who Says Hindus Are Peaceful?
By the second millenium BC, Egypt is talking peace, but we want more. In 1910BC Japan offers us a discount on the wheel, saving us 5 turns, and 14 gold for peace, accepted. Horses are spotted, along with a man in white.
The Japanese later send a settler pair toward the horses, some people just won't take a hint. Archers block him off. Meanwhile an archer kills an Egyptian warrior to the north and spots dye. In 1675BC we learn masonry and start writing. Delhi pops another settler, starts an archer. Japan already has writing, won't take mason for it. Next turn a citizen in Bombay is shifted from the cow to a forest so the rax can finish next turn. Then Bombay starts a settler. Madras is founded in 1600BC.

Touching the Untouchables
There are barb camps all around, so my archers deal with them. In 1500BC Bombay starts a temple as Delhi starts a settler. Next turn we trade masonry+13 to Japan for HB. In 1450 we kill 2 Egyptian archers and the following turn we raze Heliopolis. This gets Egypt's attention as mysticism and contact w/Aztecs is extorted. Aztecs have gold, but will not offer a fair trade. Bangalore is founded to claim horses and ultimately iron. Silks are roaded in 1400BC as our archers heal. Delhi begins the Colossus in 1325BC. Calcutta is founded in 1275BC and starts a temple. Japan tries to road iron, we declare to stop them and take another slave. Skirmishes follow, and the horses are roaded in 1150BC. Kyoto is razed the following turn, since Japan has a warrior just outside and my redlined archer can't hold it. Bombay is whipped for horse, Delhi switches to settler. Osaka is razed in 1050BC, the temple in Calcutta is rushed the following turn. By 1000BC a settler reaches the ruins of Kyoto and Egypt opens an embassy to us. Workers move to road iron mountain. I kick in 5 to trade maps with Egypt.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/4774/gotm56oqsc9uj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

QSC STATS
________________________________
Score: 157 Firaxis, 2075 QSC
Diplomacy: 3 contacts, 1 embassy
Territory: 74 squares, 5 towns
Population: 7 happy, 6 content
Production: 30 food, 51 shields, 12 gold
Buildings: 3 rax, 2 temple, grain
Units: 1 settler, 1 worker, 5 slaves, 8 archers, 1 horse.
Experience: 2 leet, 7 vet
Tech: all starters +IW, mystic, writ, map, HB.

India for the Indians
Lahore is founded next turn and starts a grainary. In 900BC archer sacks Tokyo and Japan is out, as Calcutta expands. Units are redeployed toward Egypt. War with Egypt starts again in 800BC as another slave is taken. Next turn Karachi is founded across the strait and starts a grainary. In 650BC we trade poly for math+48+WM. Elephantine finally burns next turn, a superspear had killed off a couple horses and a leet archer earlier. Jaipur is founded in 550BC. Thebes falls to 4 swords in 490BC. Memphis is taken in 410BC. Hyderabad is founded in 350BC.

The Minuteman Project
Units are deployed in the southern wilds to prevent barb camps. Alexandria is destroyed in 310BC. Next turn is a revolt, switching to monarchy, but not before trading it for lit+38+WM. In 270BC Delhi switches to the Gardens. Patna is founded in 210BC and the next turn Pi-Ramsses is taken, eliminating Egypt. We keep units in the northern wilds to watch for barbs. Rawalpindi is founded in 110BC near the Aztec border. We also learn currency, start philo. Aztecs won't give us a fair trade for construct. I have 4-turn research by this time, and get philo in 30BC. 2 turns later Dacca is founded, and the following turn we learn law, trading it +philo+145+WM to Aztecs for construct, putting us in the MA. We have 16 towns.

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7444/gotm56oanc7iv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

PTW Predator going for 20K.

Well PaperBeetle has promised me a 20K Predator challenge, and after I gave him a good thrashing last time round he needs to raise his game.

I settle NW, this will be my 20K city.

PaperBeetle signing in for the Predator 20k Showdown :ninja:

But that coastal location is so boooring... I'm playing the catchup game:

Delhi (+f, s)...

Downtown: 2,1
3 beegees: 0,6
1 plains: -1,2
1 forest: -1,2
7 grass: 0,7
hidden beegees (under forests): 0,n, where 0<=n<=5
Medieval total shields = 18 - 23

1 grass: 0,1
7 coast: 0,0
13 rails: 0,13
Industrial total = 32 - 37.


Teotihuacan (for those not playing predator, this gets founded 2NW of the moo)...

Downtown: 2,1
6 beegees: 0,12
moo : 2,2
iron: -2,4
mountain: -2,3
3 grass: 0,3
hidden beegees: 0,n, where 0<=n<=1
Medieval total shields = 25 - 26

4 plains: 0,4
4 grass: 0,4
20 rails: 0,20
Industrial total = 53 - 54.

So even after corruption I should make an easy 50spt in the industrial era. Good number. You may have fancy stuff like commerce :eek: over in Delhi, but I have shields, mwah hah hah. I'll do a spoiler after I've done my final Persian spoiler.

Awww c'mon! Everyone knows it's more manly to play 20k with loads of coastal tiles. Also I'm playing the "No Factory" variant. It's like the one city challenge, only, you know, unintentional.

TaxPayer's Predator 20k Showdown http://forums.civfanatics.com/images/avatars/ptw_Mao_sm.gif


Not A Good Spot
Ionimplant and Taxpayer might like the look of this coast + river + beegees start, but I find it terribly uninspiring. I want to see hills and bonus resources and luxuries (well okay, I see the ivory on the second turn). I've got to go the 20k:FP route. So I found Delhi in the same place as most everyone else, 1NW, and send a couple of axes out to find somewhere better. Upstream has got to be the place to go, as fresh water is probably the most important ingredient in a 20k recipe, in my opinion. Research, as usual, is Pots.

More Promising
What do I find to the west? A moo, a wheat, and a huge field of beegees, and the river runs through it all. Yes, this is the promised land. My axe is carefully walking around, taking sightings, measurements, jottings in his notebook, when a fierce looking fellow in a parrot feather head-dress turns up, sprinting over from the west. And he's got a settler with him. It may be the promised land, but it wasn't promised to the Indians, it seems. At the same time, a border expansion goes off to the south west, and I have found Kyoto. A trading round gets Wheel and War Code.

A Moment of Opportunity
In 3450bc, Pots comes through, and I am pleased to notice that the Aztecs and Japanese have two workers each for sale. Don't worry guys: send your workers to me, and I will protect them from those nasty barbs! I take a deep breath and shell out Pots and 4gpt, getting one worker from each AI. It's as much as I can afford, but it should hold them back a bit. As for my own economy, there is not much to do but a min research on Writing. Aware that Wardancer used this gambit with some succes in a recent game, I rush back to my spreadsheets and run some models of how I can best use two more points of poulation. The decision I reach is to add one slave to Delhi, and send the other out to work the chain gang.

The Location is Chosen
A more courageous man than I might have taken on that Aztec settler combo, but my axe steps aside, and Teotihuacan is founded in 3350bc. They have chosen the spot 2NW of the moo; one of two locations of equal food+shield power, and almost certainly the strongest site in the area. A more rational man than I might have replanned to do 20k over on the coast, but my heart is set on that spot, with a moo, a wheat, and a huge field of beegees, and the river runs through it all. (Well actually, Teo doesn't get the wheat, but two extra beegees make up for it). So I must plan for war.

Dithering not Fighting
Well, I don't plan for war very hard; why I don't go straight for a barracks and some archers is a little mysterious, but I squeeze a settler out of Delhi first, found Bombay between the moo and ivory, and start a temple there. The culture will give me a clear route to Teotihuacan, but, well, so what? :confused: Anyway, that's what I do. Maybe I was drunk that night...
Meanwhile, I meet Cleo, and pick up Bronze and Masonry, and plenty of cash. A little later, I also buy another slave from Monty, using hard cash as I don't want to spoil my rep when I attack him; I have a fair bit of cash from my minimum research run, and I also take little loan from Toku.

The Late War
By 2430bc, Bombay has built its pointless temple, and Delhi has made me a veteran axe and archer. Wow, a building and one and a half units! Let's rock! Good war plan PaperBeetle! I sit back for a bit longer. By now I am hoping that Teotihuacan will build some culture and pop so that I can be sure it won't autoraze. But when I see it grow in 2110bc and pop rush a spear the next turn, dropping down to size 1 again, I despair. A jaguar/settler combo heads south from Teo the next turn, and I can stand it no longer; I take two slaves, and dump some archers next to the town.

The Late Town
Teotihuacan autorazes of course, and I don't even have a settler waiting to replace it. Bombay has just finished a granary though, so I set a settler next in the queue. By the time it is ready, in 1910bc, Monty has offered peace, and I accept, taking Texcoco and his treasury in the deal. He has Maths too, but I'll get that when my min run on Writing comes through. Teotihuacan is refounded in 1830bc. I choose the same spot because I can now see the iron, making this location one point stronger than the tile NE. Teo starts work on a temple.

Back To Peace
That minimum run comes through in 1725bc, and still no one else has Writing, so I get Maths from Monty in exchange for a huge pile of cash, Writing, and contact with Egypt :rolleyes:. I set research towards Republic, and sit back to concentrate on growing my empire; Bombay uses its granary and the moo to pump settlers while Teo grows, mostly without worker additions, to pop 7. Once the temple is done, I start on Oracle. Embassying around in 1450bc shows that Thebes is working on Oracle, but is currently only size 1. The other capitals are pumping workers and settlers.

A Taste For War
Normally, I'm not much for early wars, usually waiting until the first milennium bc to start bullying the AI. But that spat with Aztecs seems to have whetted my appetite, and I decide it is time Toku moved aside in 1225bc. His military was briefly average to mine, but Japan has only a couple of serious towns, and no resources hooked. After the capture of Kyoto, this war is mainly about my swords brushing aside his archers and making slaves of his numerous settler combos stumbling around in the southern tundra.

QSC Stats
10 towns with 26 citizens and 133 tiles.
93 food in the bin, 279 shields in the box, 125g in the treasury.
1 barracks, 1 granary, 4 temples.
2 workers, 1 axe (reg), 6 archers (vet), 3 spears (1 reg, 2 vet), 4 swords (1 reg, 2 vets, 1 elite), 2 horses (vet), 1 galley (reg), 10 slaves.
All ancient techs except for Construction, Currency, Literature, Monarchy and Republic (425 beakers gathered).
3 contacts, 3 embassies.
48 culture amassed in Teotihuacan :lol:

Research Double-take
I finish my Republic research in 875bc, and immediately revolt. Research is set to Construction, as I expect this to be the last tech the AI will go for. So I am rather surprised to find that Egypt has it in 800bc. Maybe they were persuaded by the industrious wonder? There's no reasonable chance to buy it now; even Republic is not enough. Perhaps I should ditch my Construction beakers, switch to Currency and try to trade that and Republic. But I just soldier on with Construction... my research is strong under Republic, so I'm halfway done already. Probably an error.

Cascade Scare
In 750bc I get my first cascade heart attack moment: the Pyramids go to the other continent. I am acutely aware that I can't tell what those guys are building, and my Oracle build is still one turn from completion... but nothing else drops in cascade. Teo builds the Oracle in 730bc, and Cleo's Oracle build goes to The Wall in 670bc. I do some furious spreadsheeting to determine my build order in Teo, and eventually decide on Forbidden Palace, trusting that none of the AI are in any danger of getting the Great Library.

Into The Medieval
To celebrate the end of Ancient Age, I decide to hold a party in Edo :band:. But I have to capture it first, of course! I invite Monty and Cleo along to the party too, and many gifts are given; techs from me, 71gpt and all the continent's cash from them. Then I move into Edo, and have my bouncers throw Toku out of the party. He is never seen again...
I finish Currency in 590bc, and enter the medieval era. This is also the turn that India overtakes Egypt in the scoring.

Cultural History of Teotihuacan
(Dates F5 style)
1830bc... founded
1600bc... temple
0750bc... Oracle

Err, that's it. 114 culture at 8cpt. :blush:

[ptw]http://gotm.civfanatics.net/common/swordsman_small.gifPredator Conquest Challenge

I started by moving the Settler NW towards the Bonus Grassland tiles,
then the Worker W. After founding Delhi I moved the Worker N and then
started mining and roading, roading and mining. Build order in Delhi
was Warrior, Wealth, Barracks, Settler. I then did five Archers,
Settler, four Archers, Settler, while Bombay two tiles to the west
acted as primary Settler source after having completed its Granary.


3950 BC 001 Found Delhi
2710 BC 026 Found Bombay
2710 BC 026 Connect Ivory
1830 BC 048 Capture Tlatelolco
1830 BC 048 Capture Texcoco
1750 BC 050 Found Madras
1625 BC 055 Found Bangalore
1425 BC 063 Found Calcutta
1300 BC 068 Found Lahore
1225 BC 071 Found Karachi
1175 BC 073 Connect Horses
1100 BC 076 Found Kolhapur
0950 BC 082 Found Jaipur
0925 BC 083 Capture Pi-Ramesses
0750 BC 090 Found Hyderabad
0670 BC 094 Capture Thebes
0650 BC 095 Found Chittagong
0610 BC 097 Capture El-Amarna
0590 BC 098 Found Punjab
0490 BC 103 Found Dacca
0430 BC 106 Found Indus

Meeting the local competition as expected happened fairly soon, and
the initial knowledge was useful for initial trading, but I soon had
to resort to giving sharp pointed objects in exchange. I studied
Writing and then a lot of more or less useful arts, generally
overestimating the expected contributions from the AI, on the way to
first Republic, then Middle Ages. The research path chosen clearly
delayed the fulfilment of these two goals.

3500 BC 010 Meet Japan
3500 BC 010 Meet Aztecs
3500 BC 010 Learn Warrior Code
3500 BC 010 Learn The Wheel
3000 BC 020 Meet Egypt
3000 BC 020 Learn Masonry
3000 BC 020 Learn Bronze Working
2510 BC 031 Learn Pottery
2510 BC 031 Learn Mysticism
2510 BC 031 Learn Horseback Riding
2510 BC 031 Discover Writing
1750 BC 050 Discover Literature
1700 BC 052 Learn Iron Working
1500 BC 060 Learn Map Making
1500 BC 060 Discover Mathematics
1250 BC 070 Learn Philosophy
1250 BC 070 Discover Code of Laws
0925 BC 083 Discover Currency
0590 BC 098 Discover The Republic
0510 BC 102 Discover Polytheism
0410 BC 107 Discover Construction

The first war was against the Aztecs. That little town just couldn't stay
there. Four veteran Archers groups made up our glorious army. Soon
Japan declared war on us over an ultimatum. They should have known
better. Peace deals bring us towns and scientific knowledge but
counting to twenty is an art still not known in India. The next war
against the Aztecs is fought with only three Archers. That's plenty.
The first Egyptian war, with five Archers, sees the emergence of
Chandragupta the Great Military Leader, who after crossing dangerous
lands constructs The Pyramids. I could then sell the Granary in
Bombay. In the second Egyptian war I captured Thebes. At this time I
lost two suicide Galleys just after spotting overseas borders. No
contact. A third Egyptian war while being fought somewhat
unconcentratedly and with Horsemen surprisingly sees the emergence of
Shivaji the Great Military Leader. He takes command over an already
badly beaten-up elite Archers group which heroically holds their
ground against the fierce attack of a group of bad-smelling enemy
Spearmen. Imagine that. Shivaji helps me construct The Great
Lighthouse and usher in the Golden Age of the Indian Republic. The
next turn it enters the Middle Ages.

Actually, Japan did deliver at this point, discovering Construction
one turn before me. I didn't trade it, since two Barbarian Camps close
to our cities were scheduled to be burned to the ground in the
interturn. Better the massive uprisings hit someone else. Well, well,
Japan is no threat and will be dealt with promptly.

1990 BC 044 War Aztecs
1870 BC 047 War Japan
1830 BC 048 Peace Aztecs
1700 BC 052 Peace Japan
1550 BC 058 War Aztecs
1450 BC 062 Peace Aztecs
1225 BC 071 War Egypt
1200 BC 072 Emerge Military Great Leader
1050 BC 078 Build The Pyramids
0925 BC 083 Peace Egypt
0610 BC 097 Peace Egypt
0590 BC 098 Overthrow Despotism
0590 BC 098 Establish Republic
0530 BC 101 War Egypt
0470 BC 104 Emerge Military Great Leader
0430 BC 106 Build The Great Lighthouse
0430 BC 106 Enter Golden Age
0410 BC 107 Enter Middle Ages

Quick Start Challenge Result:

10 Cities
18 Citizens
The Pyramids
2 Barracks
2 Luxuries
Horses
3 Contacts
4 Workers
8 Slaves
4 Warriors
7 Archers
1 Horseman
2 Galleys
1 Settler

Missing C&C, Poly and the Governments

GOTM56 -Predator Conquest Challenge

4000BC W>west, Set>NW
3950BC Fog show something so Wor>NW find Ivory. We will settle on ivory.
3850BC Establish Delhi on Ivory just to find a cow. Should have settled between cow and Ivory. :( Wor>Mining BG. Learning Pot at 90%.
3600BC B>War, S>War. War going west. Wor>roading bg.
3500BC Meet Aztecs and see red border to west. Trade Alpha to Aztec for 10g+WC. War to check red border.
3400BC B>War, S>Rax. War going N.
3300BC Meet Japan, Learn Pot and Atart on BW, going for a IW.
3150BC Trade alpha to Cleo for Mason +7g.
3100BC Trade Mason +Pot to Tokugawa for 7g+ worker. Pot to Cleo for 28g.
2670BC My people love me. I get the first floor of My Castle. Four turns ago completed Grainary and start Rax.
2630BC Cleo sent a settler w/war next to the horse, so we attack and get 2 workers.
2470BC After completing Rax, built a worker and now starting on ArchersX5 and a Spear.
2390BC Completed IW, Starting on Math. GH gave us HBR. Good turn.
2110BC A fresh archer took out Aztec UU escorting a settler. 2 more slaves.
1950BC B>Settler,S>Archer
1870BC Est Bombay 2tiles W of Cap.

1000BC We have been in a continous state of war with one or many civs all this time. Somehow ended not taking notes. Alot of pointy stick research.

QSC
10 cities (4 captured)
21 Citizens
1 settler
2 workers
8 slaves
9 war
6 Archers
6 Spears
all first and second tier tech and HBR.

900 BC Est Embassy with Cleo. Three defenders, one clown, 5 shields per turn and 63 turns till Pyramids.Two defenders, 7 shields per turn and 23 turns till Pyramids. we should help them out.
350 BC We are a monarchy.

No save when we got to middle ages. Around 100BC we got construction as a peace settlement from Aztecs. Japan is gone, Aztecs and Cleo has one city each.

Attempts to reach other 4 civs has been doomed. most likely we will not settle the land to the east.

Made a big mistake by not researching fast on our own.
Goal is to find a sea route to where ever the others are and research chivelary.

Predator Conquest Challenge (first time)

I did not take notes because I thought this would become a short experience... :rolleyes:

I wanted to do a quick rush, first archers then swords. I did not build a granary and only built settlers occasionally when towns could not grow further and in inland corrupt towns. Workers were not needed with so many slaves around :D

I settled on the elephant (not nearly as appropriate as settling on a holy cow :D ). Defiant Japanese have to go early (~2200 BC), Egypts and Atztecs follow after several both mean and short :evil: peace treaties and after building pyramides for me. However they failed to give me the great lighthouse whose (edit - thanks Piu for advice) significance I realized way too late :(

By 500 BC (?) we are a Monarchy, ~200 AD we have our continent on our own, enter Middle Ages and are lucky to have only one barb nest on the Aztec peninsula for some cheap promotions. ~30 swords saw ~20 galleys sinking on their way through the oceans :wallbash:

We started quickly researching to Astronomy after we had stopped research after Iron Working :mad:

Finally 8 elite swords made their way and took two Celts towns. I had ignited some wars over there and picked the weakest opponent first. Then I thought it was easier going for The Great Lighthouse first which will take me to the Iroquois. I will use an rop rape on them. This might finally spare us from researching Astronomy...

~30 elite wins did not get me a MGL so I even handbuilt my fp :mad:
This game might see my first ever palace jump (by abondening my capital).

Yet I'm not sure if I will complete this one. Fast conquest is not the right thing for a peaceful builder...:mischief:
I might prefer a more promissing Cotm26 over this one.

PTW Open. After seeing a coastal start on a river I decided to try a 20k. I am predominately a warmonger, so a bit of culture could be fun.

Settled Dehli NW of start in 3950bc.

Culture builds

3950bc Palace
3350bc Temple
1300BC Oracle
470bc Great Library
370bc Library
30bc Colossus
210ad Great Lighthouse

The pyramids were built of the starting continent by Spain and I was beaten to the Hanging Gardens by the Aztecs. Early wars did not produce a single GL so all culture builds were hand built.

I had to give in twice to early Japanese threats, but once I was up and running they were easily removed from the map. I also had a long war with Egypt to gain a little territory and luxuries, but mainly to fish for leaders (which never came).