After a horrible game which ended very shortly in retirement (I was Boudica of the Celts, on a tundra/plains island with Gandhi and hordes of barbarians), I just started another game. Pericles of the Greek empire. Ok, I haven't played the Greeks much, so good practice I guess.

I like the start - Cows, Gold, Corn, Marble, and Wine, along with a fresh water lake, though there's a little too much plains.

I move my Scout a little to check out the east, though, and here's what I find:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e302/MessrFirewind/Damnclose0000.jpg

France is -damn- close to me, there.

I'm guessing this is prime rushbait? Should I bother exploring elsewhere or should I just start the warrior-rush ASAP?

What are the map settings? Warrior rush is definitely the best move, even though he's on a hill. Settle in place, work the forested plains hill and start producing warriors. Bring 3 to 1 numbers.

Map settings are Tectonics, everything else at default. Speed Epic.

Let's see, assume he'll have 2 warriors by the time I get there... I'll need 5-6 warriors, then.

:cowboy: Let's get to work.

EDIT: Ok. I got incredibly lucky. Paris sent their warrior off to explore, so I managed to wipe them out entirely with just one warrior...

Of course, now I've met the neighbours. Pacal of Maya and Boudica of the Celts.

At least I got rid of -one- rival already. That bodes well, right? :P

Yeah, you should be now in a really strong position with 2 capital cities so early, and gold in the BFC.. It's also good that there are 2 AI's to trade with. You can pretty much go for any victory condition now.

Wait a sec... so did you raze Paris immediately or wait for it to hit pop 2? Four warriors are still way cheaper than one settler, and Athens keeps growing in the meantime.

Warrior rush is obvious. Louis always gets rushed anyways.
I think I saw with another civ's settler in the BFC in the funny screens thread or somewhere.

EDIT: That's some good cities you've got there man! Gimme that save!!