Hi All this is my first post to the forums. I have been playing civ 4 for a few weeks and I seem to have the same problem every game. I am a head of the other civs in points for the first 2/3 of the game then one of the other civs pulls a head of me and my point generation all but stops. My questions is how do we earn points. I am playing single player usualy either Ghandi or Elizabeth and trying to get cultural wins.

thanx

queergamer

Points come from population, land, technologies, and wonders. I think that's it but I might be wrong.

How is your diplomacy? By that point in the game, lots of the AI civs will be trading a bunch of techs--it is hard to keep up with them in tech if you are just researching and not trading. Also, how is your expansion? If you have a little tightly-packed empire, they may be beating you in land and population scores.

But most imporant to note: If you are going for a cultural or diplomatic victory, that score on the screen is virtually meaningless...you don't need to be anywhere near first place to get a victory.

If you put your cursor over your name on the score list, it will tell you where your points come from.

EEwallace, it is nice to at least 2nd, in case your 1st plan fails

Population brings most points, then land, techs and Wonders. But points are of less importance than power: if your power is low, you'll be attacked. If, for example, you've built a sprawling empire with plenty of big cities and thus are ahead on points, but you've fallen behind on power, sooner or later you'll be knocked out.

How does the game measure power. I always thought it was in number of military units

It's measured in number of units, how technologically advanced the units are, ie: grenadier will be worth more than a spearman, and how many promotions the units have applied to them. (the promotions must actually be used, not just waiting to be given)
nukes are worth a bunch too.

I'm pretty sure that promotions aren't counted in your power rating

Yep, promotions aren't counted. But population and production capacity are.

Do walls and castles count in your power rating?

Walls and castles definitely increase your power rating. Very noticeable in OCC - my power rating jumped by about 25% when I built a wall around my city.

Also buildings like barracks, forge, stables.... basically everything increasing your military capabilities.

ok, thanks