As some of you know, I enjoy the island type GLH REXing maps. Not so much the smaller island ones like archipelago or tiny island ones, but the ones with lots of medium to small sized islands. I am a builder at heart, an in many of these games I end up with plenty of land to develop peacefully.

One of the easiest variations of this these is the "Non-Isolated Isolation". That means that you have your own landmass, and likely a few stray islands, but can meet some of other AIs with WBs/Galleys. This allows trade with less fear of war. If AI seems to suck at waging a regular war, its even worse when it comes to island to island warfare. They actually tend to "war" more with Settlers, trying to drop onto your land.

Anyway, I have been trying a few games with these settings to try to make the leap to Immortal:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Bleys_bucket/Civ4ScreenShot0005-1.jpgAnd this is the start.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Bleys_bucket/Civ4ScreenShot0006-1.jpgWilly is an amazing leader for this kind of "builder" game. Its hard to keep up militarily and REX mega-hard, which has to include Galleys to transport settlers/garrisons/workers and guard the seafood. The GLH is pretty critical, at least for me on this level. If I dont get it, I quit and start another (lame I know, but I dont have fun grinding).

Now, I am not really posting this as a play-along, or anything, since I am near 1500 AD and didnt take any screenies or notes. I am posting the save though, for those who wish to try it out. If you are an Emp-Immortal level player like me, have a go and see how you like it. It really does play a full level easier. Heres a hint and the save (experienced Immortal players wont need the hint, and should find this map super easy):

You have your own large, rich landmass, and will have contact with a couple AIs right away. If your game goes like mine, they will each found their own religion and fight over it constantly, leaving you free to build, build, build. Get the GLH, settle a few of the islands ASAP, and REX, REX, REX. Keep the AIs off your land and you may never have to go to war at all. The only thing that would make this map better is if I could meet a couple more AIs pre-Optics.

It really does play a full level easier.
Congrats on finally beating "emperor" level. ;)

Oh I forgot to mention, the reason I posted this game up is because I have been enjoying the recent trend of "showcase" games that start out with a specific goal. This one fits that pattern nicely, since it will be a very strong example of the TRE in action. I tend to play this kinds of map VERY differently than other, multi-AI on landmass games. There is less of a rush for the good spots, but you still want to cover the land ASAP. You know your going to get all the huts, so scouting can be done more methodically. You can get along with a LOT less military units, because its not likely the AI will use Galleys to invade, even with mediocre diplomacy. It actually PAYS to let the barb settle cities for you, since you can unlock the HE by taking them, and save the cost of a Settler, and maybe even a Worker or 2.

I would love to get a discussion going about this style of map. Obsolete's recent games show how strong a Human can play if he is mostly left alone. Traits have a far different ranking value on these kinds of maps too, some become godly. I get the feeling Non-Isolated Isolation is my only path to Deity, heh, I just suck so bad at Immortal Fractal/Pangaea unless I play Cyrus, have Horses in the BFC, and find whoever build Stonehenge 10 tiles away without metal.

Congrats on finally beating "emperor" level. ;)

Edit: figure it's better to edit here as making a new post won't prevent anyone from just ignoring and reading this - you don't need to - sorry if I assumed anyone was being rude. It's confirmation bias, I just think I've seen a little much of such stuff (in a mean way) around here.
Believe I've also heard of a very similar game posted in this same forum recently where someone beat "deity" level...

Seriously - this little "war" isn't that funny anymore, or at least I don't see it that way (though we may even be on the same "side" http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=310577&page=2) I'm really of a mind to open up a full challenge this week to people wanting to talk down to other players like this. Deity level, huge map, standard settings otherwise - with the interested players we'll be able to sort out what leader, exact map, and gamespeed to go with. And no matter how good anyone proves themselves to be they shouldn't discourage others from having fun with the game.

@Bleys - unfortunately I don't think I'll have the time to play this game, but congratulations to you. I hope other players may find Willem fun too for water maps because he can build his dikes anywhere coastal, creative allows some bridges to new islands with ease, and even the UU is decent as well. I think this is actually a great idea for players looking for the same goal of moving up levels.

Oh this isnt the first Immortal game I have won, it is very similar to the only others I have won, non-isolated isolation GLH based TRE maps. I actually only "won" one other, again with Willy, but I had "clearly winning" positions with Hannibal and Mehmed. Those were B&S, and if I recall correctly, on one I had to axe-rush to have the landmass to myself, but it was Hammi without Metal and I had Copper in the BFC. Actually razed his capitol and re-settled it later.

And Dave's sarcasm was a friendly ribbing, no worries. He knows I play Emp and am trying to work on Imm, he was just having fun, probably pay-back for /quoting Troytheface, LOL.

move settlers one south.

What are you doing! Don't you know that walkthroughs are only valid if you regen until you get the worst start imaginable, pick a civ with no traits or UU/UB, don't build any improvements, automate all worker actions and keep borders closed at all times!!!!!!!!1
I'm tired of you people playing easymode and calling yourself good OMG!!!!

I look forward to seeing how you do Bleys, I did something very similar when I was moving up in difficulty. It's a great learning tool. Kudos for making it public in order to help others out.

I have a meeting, then I'll take a look/probably shadow.

move settlers one south.

And lose the fish? That makes no sense imo. This opening imo really calls for a HR->CS beeline.

I look forward to seeing how you do Bleys, I did something very similar when I was moving up in difficulty. It's a great learning tool. Kudos for making it public in order to help others out.
Well, as I said in the OP, I wasnt really posting it as a play-along. I have already played it pretty far (was 1100 AD, not 1500, as I said in the OP). I didnt take any screens, but I was able to establish a very strong position. Its an interesting map though, one Emperor level players should be able to do quite well on if they understand the TRE (I play mine with an early eye on Compass, and I whip/chop Harbors before Courthouses).

move settlers one south.
I actually settled in place. The Dutch are the one civ that doesnt need to be on a river to build a Dike (Levee UB). It hurts the health a bit, but being Coastal means access to a Harbor, so it should work out.

One of the best ways I have found to play Willy at higher levels is to try to hang in there until Steam Power, and use the Dike to build an amazing army.