I have a few questions about the game.

1) Is there a CD - Key? So far, I have yet to encounter one

2) I have noticed the "Load a Mod" option in Options, so my question is, do I just download a mod into a folder, and when I want to play it I pick it? Also, what's the bare bones mod?

How does this option work?

Also, any advice would be nice. I've been considering getting this game for some time and finally fot it. I plan to play this weekend.

1) Is there a CD - Key? So far, I have yet to encounter one

No CD-Key that I know of, but you need to have the CD in your drie when starting the game.

2) I have noticed the "Load a Mod" option in Options, so my question is, do I just download a mod into a folder, and when I want to play it I pick it? Also, what's the bare bones mod?

That's correct. Usually, the readme of a mod will tell you where and how to install it. The whole situation is a bit more complex, but there are FAQs in the modding section of these forums that can explain the finer points better than I could.

I have to admit that I don't know what you mean by "bare bones mod".

Also, any advice would be nice. I've been considering getting this game for some time and finally fot it. I plan to play this weekend.

Start with a low difficulty. Play with open eyes, do *not* rely on strategies from previous civ games, because many of those don't work with Civ IV. Be prepared to make many mistakes upon learning the game, but once you got into it, you'll find the most complex Civ game so far. Have fun. :)

Edit: I can't believe that I actually got that in before Ginger Ale. ;)

My condolences to your family, friends, and general social life.

Anyway, to answer your questions:

1. You know, it's been so long since I installed CIV and I don't even have the original case. I thought there was a CD-key though. If you install the game and it doesn't ask for one, I guess there isn't?

2. Yes, you need to download the mod and put it (usually a folder containing a bunch of different things) in the mods folder in your CIV or Warlords directory, and you should be able to select it from the menu in-game.

This game is one that one can easily get into, but is also very complex. Just explore for yourself :)

That is amazing. More games should do this. It'd make it so much easier!

Anyways, there seems to be alot of mods. Should I hold off till I finish a few games of Warlords?

Also, what are some noteworthy mods? In every game I play, mods are awsome (RTW -> TE 5.1, WC3 -> DOTA)

I'd recommend to start playing the unmodded game. That way, you experience the game in the way it was meant by the designers. Also, knowing the base game lets you choose your mods in an informed way. Finally, many mods are currently not compatible to the latest patch, and some projects (which look very promising) are far from being finished. Civ4 is still too young to have extremely evolved *finished* mods.

Also, Civ4 isn't easy to mod. It allows for a *lot* of things to be changed, more than any other games I know of, including a complete rewrite of the AI. But to get there one needs serious programming skills, and a lot of time and dedication. As a consequence, I think we will see some very amazing mods in the future, but their development cycle will be longer than for other games with a less powerful, but easier accessible mod system.

If you look for the most prominent mods, just have a look in the downloads area or in the "Modpacks" section of these forums. There's a lot of activity. :)

Edit: I can't believe that I actually got that in before Ginger Ale. ;)
Unfortunately I am only a mortal, and thus, I must eat. ;)


As for this topic, like Psyringe said, you can look at some mods in this forum (http://forums.civfanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=171), as well as some interesting scenarios, like Age of Discovery, WWI, here (http://forums.civfanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=174). There's a lot to choose from, but some of the major ones (which have their own subforums in the Creation and Customization forum) are Fall from Heaven, Sevomod, The Ancient Mediterranean, Rhye's and Fall of Civ, etc...just check them out! I can't really recommend any because I don't many mods, so I just suggest to start up a normal game, and then if you feel like that's not enough, try a mod.

I'd suggest getting used to the basic game rules and mechanics before delving into the richness of mods available. Try starting with the articles in this site's War Academy (http://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/strategy/) to learn strategy.