So I have been playing civ IV for a bit now and consider myself a decent player. I've played and beaten monarch a few times now, but always on small pangea maps. Just about all of my games have been played on a small map (pangea generally).

I am now thinking about changing things up a bit and playing on a bigger map (marathon speed) for the challenge. Are bigger maps more difficult? Should i stick to prince? I was thinking about playing the earth 18 civs map.Also in regards to barbs, what is the big difference in normal vs raging? I personally like barbs as they bring a little something to the table and was thinking about going to raging for this map. Any input on bigger maps would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

big maps are a huge step up. and when you turn all those options on. lonngggg games and lots of barbarians. you will struggle at cheiftan and upwards.

do try it though, and make sure u turn off the admin option, that way you wont be tempted to use world builder mid game.

For some real fun try Huge, custom continents, 6 players including you, raging barbs.

About half the time at least a couple of civs are wiped by barbs.

So how advanced to barbs become? I have never seen them with anything more than axes/swords. Do their cities get very big? I am looking forward to this experiment when I get home, even if I do get ground into dust a few times.

you might want to try a terra map to see the advancement of barbs. give them some time to develop on their own continent

you might want to try a terra map to see the advancement of barbs. give them some time to develop on their own continent

I think that barbs stop before Industrial but not sure. When barbs get that far, I am usually totally doomed anyway so quit.

The largest barb city I have ever seen was 23, but have heard of bigger. Been a while, but I vaguely recall that it had about 30 longbows in it.

ive never seen any barbarian past longbows. perhaps the research penalty for them doubles? in the modern era, they make great fodder for xp hungry units.

ive never seen any barbarian past longbows. perhaps the research penalty for them doubles? in the modern era, they make great fodder for xp hungry units.

I have seen gunpowder units. But that was before patch 1.61, so it they might not any more.

ive never seen any barbarian past longbows. perhaps the research penalty for them doubles? in the modern era, they make great fodder for xp hungry units.

I saw them get grenadiers once!