Now we can play unrestricted leader-civ, what's the best trait+UB/UU combo?
Or best leader-civ synergy?

Possibilities are endless.
A Roman forum and philosophical? Financial and the Malinese mint?

What do you think are the best synergies?

Chruchill of the Mali would be rush-proof i think.

A skirmisher with City Garrison I and Drill I when built, and two xp off garrison II. That would be scary to face.

Although I wouldn't like to go up against Boudicaa of the Romans, Praetorians with Combat I and cheap barracks and easy promotions from Charismatic. THAT WOULD BE SCARY!

The HRE Rathaus seems really powerful in the hands of an organized leader.

An Boudica in control of Rome would also be a terror. Can you imagine Praetorians in the hands of an Aggressive/Charismatic Leader?

Darius' Fin/Org + the HRE's courthouse with 75% reduced maintenance. You'd be rolling in enough cash to buy new courthouses for every city you captured, making the maintenance of an empire on a max-size terra or pangea with low-seas rather easy.

Boudica with Rome, need I say more?

Charles de Gaulle of Ethiopia is frightening.
So is Zara Jacob of Sumeria.

Hamurabi of the Sumerians for the early rush empire
1. Cheap (50 hammer) with Priesthood courthouses
2. Aggressive Vultures [Swordsmen with Bronze Working]

Who is organised/philosophical?

Organised/philosophical of the Sumerians. Lots of early great spies.

Who is organised/philosophical?Fred is :)

Aggressive
Charismatic
Ikhanda
Praetorian

Boudica + HRE = big empire, great UB (low maintenance), good UU. Starts with mysticism, so stonehenge = early push borders plus 1 :) for each monument ( charismatic ). Chop rush oracle -> theology = theocracy = +2 xp points, or CoL for UB. Perfect sinergy.

When you mix and match does the leader head retain its original background setting, or does it adopt one of the backgrounds of the new Civ? I'm almost certain the answer will be the former, but it would be awesome if it was the latter.

When you mix and match does the leader head retain its original background setting, or does it adopt one of the backgrounds of the new Civ? I'm almost certain the answer will be the former, but it would be awesome if it was the latter.It would be a lot better indeed, but unfortunately no :(

But it would be a lot better like that! :)
(And would als remove a bit of automatism/confusion. Now you need to check what civ everyone is playing)

Pericles of Arabia would be an absolute monster. I might have to try it at some point.

Hammurabi of the HRE would be nice as well.

When you mix and match does the leader head retain its original background setting, or does it adopt one of the backgrounds of the new Civ? I'm almost certain the answer will be the former, but it would be awesome if it was the latter.

that would be great!!
i like the idea. maybe something can be done by pro modders...

Boudica of the Aztecs

Sacrifical Altar means a lot of troops with much promotions form every City, that has a least one foodres and a granary.

Hehe, it would be pretty cool to see Washington standing before the Kremlin (Stalin) or some such thing. ;)

Pericles of Arabia would be an absolute monster. I might have to try it at some point.

Hammurabi of the HRE would be nice as well.

You read my mind. I tried that last night, its awesome. Creative + cheap madrassa + cheap universities = huge culture and science.

Sumerian Darius. Synergy between Organized and the Ziggurat, plus Financial and Vultures for early expansion.

You read my mind. I tried that last night, its awesome. Creative + cheap madrassa + cheap universities = huge culture and science.

Not only that but you have a resource free UU, which is good as you're not garanteed to have both iron and horses if you're going for a cultural victory.

Charaismatic/Organized (I'm not sure who/if this is/is aviable) with Rome is really good.

Also, Hannibal of Rome would be good too.

Philosophical+Industrious with Rome would also be good too. Rome's forums with the +25% GP birthrate would be great. Crazy synergy with pacificism (enabled by an early wonder, forgot the name) Parthedon, national epic, and forum all in one city. You'll get +375% GP birthrate. Each wonder (of +2GPP) gives 7.5 points a turn, each specialist gives 11.25 points.

Charaismatic/Organized (I'm not sure who/if this is/is aviable) with Rome is really good.

That would be Napoleon.

In my oppinion darius is already the best possible combo. The immortal is an amazing weapon during its age, while his traits are without a doubt the best combination for creating a large efficient economy.

Im curious what u guys think about this:
Boudica with Ethiopia.
All you would need to do is Beeline for liberalism, use that to grab Gunpowder... Which is a pretty solid tech tree now with the re-work, beneficial MOST the way up.. And once u reach it, your Musketmen (which are now more applicable because of the making cav need rifles, i feel)
They would start with Drill 1 and 2, Combat 1, a level up (if not 2 by then, from a general + barracks) and the charismatic trait to keep them going fast and hard... Maybe?

Other than that, Some charismatic leader (hannibal?) with Egypt or Native americans or Ethiopians to do a hard rush early, and utilizing stonehenge/monuments (which I feel are ALOT better now that they stay around after calender, giving huge economic advantages with that extra 1 happiness in all your cities)... Maybe? idk. just tossing out ideas ;-)

Not sure if it's good, but how about FDR of the Russians or Stalin of the Americans? :lol: :lol: :lol:

In my oppinion darius is already the best possible combo. The immortal is an amazing weapon during its age, while his traits are without a doubt the best combination for creating a large efficient economy.

How about Darius of the Portuguese? Financial + feitoria means the full financial commerce bonus even on ocean squares, financial is perfect for seafaring leaders anyway, and organised is perfect for the overseas expansion that the carrack allows for, as well as the extra population exploiting all the water tiles.

Not sure if it's good, but how about FDR of the Russians or Stalin of the Americans? :lol: :lol: :lol:

yes, civilization tends to allow for anachronistic situations. very funny

I have to second Darius with the HRE. HRE probably has the best UB, and a solid UU to make up for Charlemagne's crappy traits. Put in Darius for cheap uber-courthouses and you're just an invincible economic powerhouse.

Boudica of the Romans is a close second for the total military dominance for the first half of the game, but I have a tendency to be a builder when I can.

Chruchill of the Mali would be rush-proof i think.

A skirmisher with City Garrison I and Drill I when built, and two xp off garrison II. That would be scary to face.

Although I wouldn't like to go up against Boudicaa of the Romans, Praetorians with Combat I and cheap barracks and easy promotions from Charismatic. THAT WOULD BE SCARY!

Yup, that's an understatement. I thought I'd give it a go after reading this thread.

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/5158/ghghglw6.jpg

These babies are taking cities like there's no tomorrow. The AI has no answer to them.

Not sure if it's good, but how about FDR of the Russians or Stalin of the Americans? :lol: :lol: :lol:

You make it sound like there's a difference between Stalin and FDR. =P (IRL, I realize there's a one tech difference in Civ4)

I've been going as Elizabeth of Russia. My reason? Elizabeth is a great choice for the space race, and Russia has a UB that is awesome for the space race.

Though, I feel like I'm disgracing my people by building an empire as Elizabeth, being Scottish and all. Sean Connery forgive me! :cry:

In my current game Stalin is Germany's leader :lol:

Not so Ironic, but nevertheless quite amusing too is Nappy being the Egyptian leader

In my current game Stalin is Germany's leader :lol:

Not so Ironic, but nevertheless quite amusing too is Nappy being the Egyptian leaderA muslim Washington of China also brought a grin to my face :)

I'm playing Roosevelt in Germany right now and it seems like a good combo.

Of course Boudica of Rome :) Not sure about the other early Melee UUs.

Byzantine with Gandhi. With Brennus, Lincoln, Monty, or Alexander for a war style. Maybe with Peter, Bismark, Ramses, or Isabella for a builder style. Heck, even with Louis, Hatty, Suryavarman, or Pericles for a builder style. Basically, anyone but a Financial leader or Justinian. :lol:

Churchill of Native America... build Stonehenge and Barracks... voila. Ge through, I dare ya.