I've been trying to move up to Noble recently. My previous game ended with Mansa Musa getting a Cultural Victory late in the game while I pursued the Space Race.

A few days ago I managed to procure a Cultural Victory at the beginning of what would have been the final 100 turn stretch had I left Time on.

Thinking back, I think I should have founded the Horse city earlier and then tried to wipe out the Romans (and the French). After I failed there, I withdrew and tried to play a peaceful game.

The only time I remember reloading was when I was beaten to the S. Chapel, so I reloaded and used the Great Engineer I got a few turns ago to hurry it.

I'm still getting accustomed to not having a supreme tech lead on everyone like I had in Settler and having to be careful about which techs I trade away.

(I'm also getting accustomed to the Normal Speed instead of Quick. This is going better. :))

I would upload a zip file containing the 4000BC save, the last two autosaves, and a save I made a little earlier when I was concerned that one would consider attacking me next; but I can't seem to get it to upload...

You should get accustomed to maraton :D

oo and gj beating nobel first time is funny :D

Marathon is uberboring.. Seriously though noble is easy enough if you understand the basic gamemechanics...

Building a wonder in 2 turns is uberboring :D

Or attacking a civilization whos only got archers but by the time you get yoru sod there he got longbows:P and after taking 2 of theri cites and moving your sod to his 3 city he got muskets.

I would also recommend playing epic or marathon because of pretty much what orzio said, but it's all about personal preference.

Another thing I recommend is checking the victory conditions and grpah screen often, you can often spot someone going for cultural vicotry just looking at the victory screen, and prepare an assault to take them out.

Building a wonder in 2 turns is uberboring :D

Or attacking a civilization whos only got archers but by the time you get yoru sod there he got longbows:P and after taking 2 of theri cites and moving your sod to his 3 city he got muskets.

I've yet to see a wonder built in 2 turns without a GE in normal speed game.. Unless you are talking about Obsolete :P ... BTW, that's pretty bad play if you find yourself facing muskets when you ment to fight against archers. A good war should be won/lost in 10 turns, the rest is just mopping up.

On marathon you can make more micromanaging mistakes without getting to pay for it, but I don't mean marathon players would be weaker. Marathon is just for those who like that their games take weeks instead of days, that's just a matter of taste I suppose.

I am have been trying to take the leap to Noble for a number of games. I havent had much luck. It seems I am constantly at a tech and military disadvantage.

I am getting better and really refining a number of aspects in my game and discovering things I wasnt aware I can do.

What is a good # of civs and map size for this?

I am have been trying to take the leap to Noble for a number of games. I havent had much luck. It seems I am constantly at a tech and military disadvantage.

I am getting better and really refining a number of aspects in my game and discovering things I wasnt aware I can do.

What is a good # of civs and map size for this?

Standard sized map, standard number of civs.