So I actually decided to build workboat at size 2 as quickly as possible. I don't like this kind of start and so I don't know many variations on how to play this. So my plan is something like: build workboat, build worker, chop settler and 1-pop-whip the settler if necessary. And I think it will be necessary.
If I manage to do so, 2nd city between cow and rice would be nice. Maybe copper there aswell.
Met Alex on Turn 16. Hope I can count him in when I start the inevitable crusade against puny Portugese empire.
Researched Bronze Working. Worker will be complete in 2 turns, then chop the settler at size 2 working Clam + Silk-Forest. Will adopt Slavery after worker is finished for a possible settler-whip.
What is this. I didn't even start on a settler yet. Why does he settle my dry rice? Seems a bit cocky to me. And of course no copper to be found.
I start researching Sailing for connecting my cities. I also want to settle my island, hoping for more (and better) land. Lighthouse for my seafood makes sense. Might take a shot at the Great Lighthouse aswell. I hope it will go rather late since I can't beeline it straightaway without giving up the little bit of land I might get. Also my Empire will just have 1 worker for quite a while. Just 1 warrior aswell. Hope Joao doesn't get a stupid idea and attacks me.
I found another place to settle. On the plains hill with Fish in first ring. If Joao takes this aswell I will storm his capital with my warrior and take him out
Can't start too early with making friends.
I chopped 2 forests and will whip the rest of the settler because I get a panic attack whenever an Portugese archer appears on his borders.
Question for some expert: Will Joao attempt to settle the island even though my culture sort of blocks him off? I would have to close borders with him then. Also note how he is improving the rice he has stolen from me. Rubbing it in.
Settler is ready and city is at Pop 1 again growing on Clam. I chop a 3rd forest to get out the 2nd workboat. New city will have to slow-build a workboat on its own.
Tech-wise I lose the plot a bit. I want Masonry for Great Lighthouse, but I won't need it right away. Other options:
Wheel: No need, I have Sailing. It is rather expensive aswell.
Animal Husbandry: For the plains cow ....... and to see Horses. Also I need to get to writing somehow. I should have researched this now. But I decided against a Horse Archer rush anyway, because with a start like this I didn't fancy my chances very much. And Horse Archers are do-or-die. I will try my luck with Construction I think.
Mysticism: I will need a border pop eventually for my new city since Joao's culture will suffocate it otherwise. So I teched this. Mistake since I won't build a monument for a while. But at least Masonry will be cheaper. Also, we are Charismatic, so a Monument actually makes some sense just on its own.
I hook up my second clam, mix in some poison, put them in a box for shipping to Joao in exchange for the rice which belongs to me anyway. Look at this smug face. Just look at him.
New York, my 2nd city. Building a workboat in 8 turns, then growing to size 2 to whip a Galley I think.
Capital going straight for the next settler at size 2 working both clams. Worker still doing nothing else than chopping.
Turn 41: Don't know where this guy came from, but seeing as he hasn't met anyone else on my landmass, I guess he is somewhere across the island I wish to settle soon. Interesting.
The worker just eliminated the 5th forest in a row. Workboat in New York is almost done, Animal Husbandry will be just in time for plains-cow-city. My finger is nervously trembling over the whip button, ready to engage any portugese settling party which our best (and only) military general might report seeing.
There we go. But he is too late. Note that he already has Swordsmen, sponsored by the gold in his capital. This guy is a monster. Starting to suspect he is not even human.
Worker finished a mine on the plains hill, ready to jump and improve the cows upon researching AH.
City overview, starting with capital. It will grow to size 4 and whip a Lighthouse into something (Great Lighthouse?) I guess.
New York: will whip this Galley and start on Lighthouse or Monument.
Boston: will switch to the plains cow after lumberjack-worker has figured out how to pasture stuff. Then chop the settler, put him on the galley and settle the (hopefully) rich island. And with 4 cities I should be able to stomp you-know-who. Great Lighthouse would be nice to pay for the upcoming fun.
Oh yeah, I missed the Horses due to my tech order. Not sure I would have wanted a city just to grab them, but the option would have been nice. Though I couldn't have leapfrogged Joao's settler party there anyway.
Horsies. Will be pacified soon.