Classic 34: First Spoiler (end of ancient age)

Qualification for this spoiler is to have reached the strt of the middle ages (be researching a middle-age tech), have full view of the outline of the starting continent and contact with all civs on the starting continent.

Please don't post any screenshots of suicide gally routes (successful or otherwise), nor any land masses other than the starting continent, nor any middle-age or later resources.

So how did your ancient age progress? Did you trigger an early golden-age, or adapt to hold-off triggering one until later? How was your exploration? and in particular, how did you cope with 'no barbs'? Did this help you or hinder you? And for predator players, did no expansionist trait make a material difference to your game?

Open

Regent is a nice change from the challenging GOTM33 and COTM03!

Starting Moves
I sent the scout to the hill, and the worker to the forest in the hopes of revealing a useful food bonus. As nothing useful was found, I moved the settler N, NE of start position and settled in 3900BC. This was one tile shy of the coast, and so I missed the whales. I just figured that since it was regent, I would rather just settle and try and get my firts settler to a better location. The scout followed the coast to the SE. Initial builds were a second scout, an archer, a warrior, a settler. I produced a second settler before building a granary with the help of a forest chop.

Contacts
We met Carthage in 3700BC, Egypt in 3050BC, and Persia in mid 3rd millenium BC. Our scouts were able to rapidly reveal the country side, and it became clear that there was some very good territory, but we were just not in it! With Carthage competing for the better terrain to the south, our early course in this game became clear - use the Zulu militaristic trait!

Tech
The tech pace was a crawl. We decided to go maximum research on alphabet, to speed the path towards the republic. We then went min on writing, but ended up trading for the tech. We then studied code of laws and literature at min (philosophy was researched by the AI in the interim!). In our first war we took two techs, map making and philosophy as part o fthe peace deal. We eventually built (leader rushed) the great library so we could ignore research and concentrate on conquering our landmass!

At 1000BC we had,
5 cities
14 pop
2 workers
2 scouts
6 warriors
2 archers
1 impi

2 barracks
2 temples
A granary

Tech including all AA second tier except mathematics. At this point we started building workers and warriors for upgrading to swords and doing a sword rush on Carthage.

Wars
We started the first war in 490BC when we declared on Carthage. At this point we had 8 cities, 8 swords, 9 warriors, 2 archers and 2 impis.

We had iron connected, but not to the bulk of our empire, so we were able to continue to build warriors and then upgrade to swords while the road was extended back to our core. In 230BC Carthage attacked an Impi and lost triggering our golden age while we were despotic. In the context of this game, I don't really care. It was better to risk a cheaper, retreatable Impi, than a more expensive sword, and the growth in our city holdings via conquest more than justified the aggression.

In 30BC, the Persians start violating our territory. We are strong militarily against everyone at this time, so we give them the boot. They don't go and invade further. The sedond boot order results in a war declaration, hehe. In 10AD, we decide to see what we can get from Carthage in a peace deal. At this time they are down to five cities, and we have fourteen. Peace nets us two techs, a city and all their gold. We then turn and move all our forces against the Persians.

Image edited to comply with spoiler rules
At this point we have 22 swords, 3 warriors, 1 archer, 1 horseman, 7 Impi. Movement one forces take a while to cross the empire, even with a decent road network, but eventually we start mowing through the Persians as well.
In 250AD we get our first leader. He is used to rush the Great Library in 290AD. Techs start popping out slowly, and in 310AD we finally get the remaining required AA techs, and the republic putting us into the MA.

Image edited to comply with spoiler rules
At this point we have 20 cities, 22 swords, 1 archer, 1 horse, 3 galleys and 10 Impis. Persia is down to eight cities, and Egypt has 15 cities. We remain strong militarily.

Lack of Barbs
I don't think the barbs would have affected me much, especially in an uprising. The unsettled area is to the north of the mainland where the Persians have their settlements. So, the uprising certainly would have hit the Persians more than me.

Future Plans
An early revolt to republic while we finish off taking Persian cities. Then we will start on Egypt...

Early Moves
I had pretty much decided not to move my settler at all; sure I moved the scout to a hill, but that was more of a formality. I started researching Alphabet at 100%, with the plan of switching to Republic at my earliest convenience. My initial build que was Scout-Warrior-Granary-Settler-Settler.

Pop Those Huts
I got good stuff out of all the huts. The first hut yielded a city just N of Zimbabwe, which gave me a very early head start on the AIs. After that, I got Cerimonial Burial, and the Wheel. I think that was all the huts I found (?).

Tech Race
I lead the tech race for most of the age, from 2950BC and on). At the end of AA, I slowed down a bit to let the AIs catch up, and to fund upgrades. My main advantages were the early city, managing AI contacts, lots of workers, Colossus wonder, early Republic switch (right after my GA) and of course my great mind.

Contacts

Met Persia in 3250BC. They had Pottery, but would not trade; I had Bronze Working and Masonry. I met Egypt in 2950BC, and Carthage in 1725BC. With Egypt, I traded my techs (except Alpha, which I traded with no one) for the remaining 1st tier techs. So in 2950BC, I had all the 1st tier techs. With Carthage, they were behind in techs (more about Carthage, later).

War - Poor Carthage
I thought about an early Impi/Archer rush, but the AIs had very little to offer. When I met Carthage in 1725BC, I could not help myself. I had an archer exploring a bit, and there is an empty Carth. city. Before my next turn, a reg. warrior showed up. I attacked any way (could not help myself) and won. This first war did not last long. I marched my rag-tag Impi/Archer Army to the Carthage City, but it became clear that I could not take it. I made peace and netted only distant city.

I got Iron Working from Egypt but of course I had no Iron (and no Horses). So I thought maybe Carthage has some Iron (much of Carth. was in the dark). Hi-ho hi-ho it's off to war I go in 1175BC. My notes are not clear at this point, and my memory is gone. I think this war concluded in the early Middle Ages.

I know that a big mistake was letting this war take too long. I should have committed more resources (troops) in the beginning.

Golden Age
I managed to not enter the GA in the first war. The carthage warrior were always too scared to attack. I entered the GA in 1325BC. Immediately after the GA, I switched to Republic. So I did hold off my GA, a little.

Wonders and Great Leaders
My plan was not too build many early wonders. I did build the Colossus in 1050BC. I got my one and only Great Leader in 190AD, which I used to build my Forbidden Palace in the old Carthage land.

Effects of No Barbs
Basically, no effect. The regent barbs are such a push over, that I don't worry about them too much anyway. Well I guess my scouts moved about with impunity.

Open class

4000 BC we have hear of something called a space race. We don’t know what this space race is but we press F10 anyway to find out. Well it said we need a spy but we also know our rivals. After looking at the stars we decide if man could fly he would have feathers so we send our scout north, he sees a goody hut! Zimbabwe is founded right away. We tell our scientists to studying Ceremonial Burial @ 90%. Our worker will mine and road the wine tiles.

3950 BC got a map from the goody hut. We think all the jungle to the west will slow down our scout, so he will loop Zimbabwe.

3750 BC got 1st warrior. We get him good and drunk on our wine and send him west to scout the jungle.

3650 BC our scout sees goody hut on mountain to the south. He also thinks there is something better to the east. We send on east. He can come back for the goody hut.

3550 BC got a 2nd warrior; he will follow the first warrior thru the jungle. Our people feel vary strongly that just on the other side of the jungle will be great riches. Meet Carthage with our scout. We can now send him back to that goody hut. Set Science to 50% we will have Ceremonial Burial next turn.

3500 BC got Ceremonial Burial, set science to 90%, studying Bronze Working. Got Alphabet from goody hut. Wow 2 techs in one turn.

3450 BC we see a green border. Set science to 100%.

3350 BC we meet Persia with our 1st warrior. We talk to their worker on the edge of their city for some time. We cannot come to any trade agreement the great Zulu people feel is fare. We also learn Persia has no other cities.

3300 BC the Persian worker has just finished his road and mine. We declared war on Persia! Our drunk but brave warrior jumps into Persian territory and captures our first slave! We send the slave toward Zimbabwe.

3250 BC we didn’t think our warrior could take the spearman in the Persian city, so our warrior pillages the road and mine.

3200 BC Persia killed our1st warrior. Got Ulundi from a goody hut just south of Zimbabwe! The new city location is not bad. I think that goody hut may have set us in the lead.

3050 BC we got Bronze Working, studying The Wheel. Attacked Persian warrior, with our other warrior, He is now a veteran 2/4HP. Ulundi is building a warrior and Zimbabwe is building a settle. It is a long hike thru the jungle to get to Persia, so our only warrior will play cat and mouse until help can arrive.

2950 BC Zimbabwe builds a settler. We met Egypt. Persia will give Masonry and 10gp for peace. We will wait for a better deal or until they threaten our boarders.

2900 BC we get Masonry from goody hut.

2710 BC Bapedi founded. The cat and mouse game continues. We are sending troop to Persia and Cartage. I plan to start a war with Cartage as soon as I get there. It look like we are wedged in the middle of the three AIs that we have met, land s going to be scarce.

2510 BC we got The Wheel and are studying Writing.

2270 BC we attack and destroyed Utica, and captured a settler (2 workers). This will mess up our reputation, I started this war inside the Cartage city limits.

2190 BC we finally think there enough troop to take Persepolis from Persia so the turn before we rush them into position. Our last archer takes Persepolis. That was close. Persia gives 100gp and worker for peace. We take it, I don’t know where they responded to. I later found them in the south east corner on our Island. This little patch of tundra is the only area in that section I didn’t scout.

2030 BC Isandhlwana founded. I have unit just waiting on Egypt to go past them. Egypt is land locked so they will have to go past us.

1870 BC got Writing, studying Iron Working.

1790 BC got Iron Working and 9gp for peace from Cartage. We are now studying Map Making.

1675 BC attacked and killed Egypt warrior, captured settler. This starts our 3rd war.

1525 BC warrior destroys Memphis and captures a worker. Scout gets Mysticism from a goody hut.

1475 BC Intombe founded.

1450 BC Egypt gives Elephantine and 9gp for peace. We take it there is iron under the city.

1425 BC Egypt tries to send a spearman and settler past our troops. The Zulu people feel this is a slap in the face. We attack and kill the Egypt spearman and capture their settler. That was a short peace (less than 1 full turn), no reputation now.

1400 BC got Map Making, studying Philosophy. Mpondo founded. Cartage is building the Pyramids. The Zulu people could not be happier for the Cartage people. We will let them build it, building our forces on there border. When they finish it we will just walk in and take it.

1300 BC Ngome founded. Battle at Thebes is started.

1275 BC Thebes is captured! Capture the Persian city of Susa! We are now at war with 2 of the 3 known AI.

1250 BC got Philosophy, studying Code of Laws.

1225 BC warrior kills Persian spearman and captures a settler. Swazi founded.

1175 BC battle at Heliopolis started.

1100 BC scout finishes exploring he will return to an out skirt city to be disbanded. We now have the whole map of our island.

1075 BC destroy Heliopolis and capture a worker. Egypt responds way in the north. Egypt gives 100gp, 1 worker, and world map for peace. Tugela founded.

1025 BC we get Code of Laws, studying Republic.

1000 BC we hooked up incense.

13 cities, 2 archers, 15 warriors,1 scout, 2 workers, 12 slave workers.
Responded Persia and Egypt.

We need the following techs: Mathematics, Construction, Currency, Republic (17 away), Literature, Polytheism, Monarchy.

Science is set to 100%, 273gp, 0gpt.
Iron in one city.

At this point I have built mostly warriors with a few archers. I have not built any scouts or any Impi. I may build some Impi later I don’t know yet.

950 BC we are told that we are the most powerful nation in the world. Go warrior power!

925 BC warrior in Persian land is attacked by an archer and wins! Warrior defeats a spearman in the Persian capital. We have iron and horses in two cities.

850 BC iron & horses in most cities.

775 BC Umtata founded.
Captured Pasargadae. Persia was been destroyed! One down 6 to go!

750 BC Umfolozi founded. Scout disband in Intombe.

730 BC got 1st & 2nd swordsman.

630 BC got Republic, start rev 5 turns, studying Horseback Riding.

610 BC started a war with Cartage, killed Numidiam Mercenary and captured a settler.

590 BC killed Numidiam Mercenary and captured a settler. Isipezi founded.

530 BC we are now a Republic. Set science to 40%, Horseback Riding in 4, +38gpt.
Killed Numidiam Mercenary in Theveste.

510 BC Theveste destroyed. Cartage gives Horseback Riding and Hippo for peace. Set science to 50%, Mathematics in 4, +34gpt. Good news Cartage is still building the Pyramids. They should be finished soon. I hope no one beats them to it.

350 BC we get the Great Lighthouse. This should be handy very soon.

290 BC Cartage gets the Pyramids.

250 BC start war with Cartage. We hook up Dye.

210 BC Our stack of units start the battle for Cartage. Our whole stake battles there last defender to 1 HP. We take a big chance here we have 1 unit in range. He is the only Impi I have built (in fact I rushed him last turn in the next city over so I could send every Swordsman and archer to this battle.) The Imp takes Cartage, a worker, and the Pyramids. This starts my GA. I wanted to wait but I needed Cartage this turn before reinforcements from Cartage could come.

130 BC Leptis Magna fell.

90 BC sank Cartage galley.

70 BC Entered the MA.

28 cities, 2 settlers, 2 workers, 18 slave workers, 14 warriors, 13 swordsmen, 2 galleys, 1 Impi (He started my GA), The Great Lighthouse, The Pyramids, 1 temple, and 1 barracks. I’m in my GA with I think 15 turns left.

I’m at war with Cartage they have 1 city left. They haven’t responded yet. Persia is gone. Egypt has 4 cities in the north but have responded already.

259gp & +4gpt.

Cartage will not talk to me yet.

The only culture I have is from my palace in one city, the Light House in one city, and a temple I rushed.

Open PtW

I started with the scout SW, worker NW. Found some more grass and two BGs in the SW, so I decided to settle SW on the grass.
Having no food bonus I decided to have a very early granary, so build order was only one additional scout then granary to get it before growth to size 3.

My scout met Carthage already in 3700BC and I traded for alphabet.
From then on my research was always 100% towards republic, starting with writing.

In 3600 BC a scout pops a GH for the only tech I got from a GH (CB). I immediately traded with Carthage for masonry giving them 4gpt in addition.
In the future I get the gold back from Carthage by always taking out new loans (18g for 1gpt) as soon as their bankroll builds up. By that I can continue 100% research.

In 3400 BC I had big luck. The second scout pops a GH only 5 tiles away from the capital and gets a town.

In 3100 BC I met Egypt. Traded for BW, then gifted them to tech parity.

In 3000 BC the granary completes in Zimbabwe. As planned one turn before growth to size 3.
Zimbabwe makes another scout then settler.

In 2710 we meet the Persians. I get their 10g and gift them to tech parity. Everybody likes us now and hopefully somebody will research something I can trade for later.

2470 is a year of many achievements. We found our 3rd city at the coast with the whales.
We learn writing, trade it to Carthage for TW plus some of our money and gpt back.
Gift TW to the others.

In 2230 I trade IW from egypt for writing. Immediately distribute it around, so the AIs can research something else.

In 1990 the 4th city is founded. There is a stack of two Carthagian warriors heading that way. With no barbs and Hannibal not knowing the other civs, this looks like war.

1950BC Hannibal declares.
At this time gpt deals were going in both directions and he was gracious. Just one of these random events.
The glorious Zulu army consists of 2 archers and 1 warrior at this time. But Zimbabwe is already quite productive and will increase the numbers soon.

In 1910 we win our first battle, promoting one of the archers to elite.

In 1790 we discover CoL. Trade Mysticism from Egypt for it and gift Mysticism to Persia.

1725 we capture Theveste. The town was undefended and just grown to size 2. It fits nicely in our empire.

1625 Hannibal calls for peace. He gives Utica away, but wouldn't give his other city instead.
That's great, Utica has horses and a cow, the other city is in Tundra with no visible resources yet.
Gift Hannibal to tech parity immediately.

1575 we complete Philosophy research and start on Republic. Zimbabwe starts on Pyramids after delivering one more settler. We have other towns that can deliver settlers now.

1475 Isandhlwana founded

1450 Intombe founded

1425 trade MM from Hannibal. Trade for all maps, but not much learned. My scouts had already mapped most of the continent. Gift philosophy around, hold back MM for some more rounds.
Start building 2 galleys.
Hlobane starts on FP.

By 1125 I have 2 galleys looking for a nice place to suicide.

In 1075 I can trade HBR from Egypt. As usual it's distributed around immediately.


In 1000 BC I have:
9 cities, 20 pop
3 granaries, 3 barracks, 1 temple
5 archers, 3 warriors, 8 workers + 1 foreign, 2 galleys

In 950 BC republic comes in, but I have to wait one more turn for revolution, because there is still some pop rushing necessary.

925 revolt, draw 6 turn anarchy

My notes are incomplete after that, but we had to self research currency, construction and polytheism to enter MA in 510 BC.
Founded only one more city in the meantime. Most of the cities where busy constructing libraries.

All suicide galleys sunk. That streak did continue into the MA.

The no barb setting is a real nuisance.
The AIs don't get money from barb hunting so there's much less money around. I had to reduce science some times, because nobody could give me a loan for more research.

The BHs where a mixed experience.
One very good town early, one tech I could have easily traded for, the rest nothing, maps or 25g.

Open

This was my first PTW game for maybe half a year, so i was a bit taken aback by just how different corruption was.

Tech pace was slow, even though I was tech leader throughout, eventually entered MA in 170BC.

Due to the fact that Carthage pinched the closest horses to me and Egypt the closest Iron I was stuck with the dilemma of how I was going to launch any feasible attack on any civ.

I decided, with my army of archers and impi (which I was unsure whether to use or not due to early GA) I would launch offensive on Persia. Carthage's Numids were too strong for my archers, and Egypt's War Chariots would make mincemeat of my archers. Persia had not yet linked up their iron, so before the Immortals could enter play, I launched a first strike. I brought Egypt into the war, but they were fairly useless.

Due to a severly unlucky run of RNG, my archers did not fare well against the persian spearmen. Eventually, after autorazing a couple of Persian cities, it suddenly dawned on me that noone had settled the northern part of the continent. I sued for peace with persia, obtaining a world map in the progress. And saw there were resources aplenty completely untouched. Doh!
Oh well, at least my GA did not trigger.

At the end of the AA, I started furiously producing settlers for the northern area.

I honestly feel that having no barbs in the game hinders the human player. Barbs serve as a deterrent for the AI to expand sometimes, and I feel as though I could have done with some extra barb fodder to beef up my reg/vet archers into vet/elite archers before launching my attack on Persia.

If I do win this game, I don't fancy my chances of getting a great score. I wasted far too much time on a fairly unnecessary war.

Randy said:

775 BC Captured Pasargadae. Persia was been destroyed! One down 6 to go!

Click to expand...

Very succesful early warfare, but that was definitely a move.
You should have kept them as pet in their icy new home to snatch their free tech.

Open

The game seems similar to COTM1. I played in a very simple way with pretty high aggression I thought, although not as well as Randy. I had small wars with all 3 local Civs in the qsc period, pretty much ensuring they wouldn't build any wonders for me or research anything, but it was great fun after having such a tough time in gotm34. I can't believe I was sloppy enough to have 2 turns of disorder in the capital in the qsc.


4000bc scout west then south worker N see nothing. move settler sw.
3950 found Zimbabwe. Waiting one turn was of course a mistake, but I was worried about missing a better site like in Cotm2.
3750 A hut in NE. I thought barbs were off! Gold only.
3600 hut in sw: CB
3500 meet Persia
3300 buy masonry for wc, pott and 20g
3250 finally get hut settler but he is miles away, (in Egypt) and I move him home.
3150 meet egypt near my free settler. trade them wc and pott for bronze
2850 granary in capital start a barracks.
2670 second town founded. alphabet from hut
2590 meet Carthage
2550 empty hut
2470 DISORDER!!
2270 buy iron from Egypt for 2 techs
2070 declare v Carthage
1910 vet archer killes by reg wariior
1830 DISORDER again
1790 carhage manages to found a town with the settler escorted by the warrior who killed my archer. I destroy the town and make peace for one town (with horses).
1700 buy writing from Carthage for 3 techs.
buy horses from persia for alphabet and 30g
1500 declare v Egypt
1475 destoy Elephantine
1250 destroy Alexangria and make peace for Pi Ramses. 4 elite wins so far no leader.
1100 declare v Persia. Elite archer kills warrior and captures a worker.


Post qsc:
690bc Monarchy.
390bc Leader at last: Pyramids.
150bc Impi forces Golden Age.
110bc Palace jump (my first ever) to former Egyptian town of Pi-Ramesses. This was a bit isolated at first, which made me a bit worried about falling foul of the rank corruption exploit, but it seemed a valid jump to me, and I did develop a second core there, albeit a looser one than around the FP, where I packed towns in as I usually do.

110bc Middle Ages.

My little empire in 1000bc (not that many cities but plenty of rubble):

Open


This was a very fun game, and has turned out to be my best GOTM to date.

My notes are fairly scattered, so I'll try to just give a list of dates and such that I have in my notes.

My first notes are about the Goody Huts I encountered. I managed to pop five of them, getting Ceremonial Burial, Mysticism, a settler, 25g and a warrior.

My expansion was nothing out of the ordinary. The most important move I made was to found my third or fourth city down southwest by the iron. Had I not done this, my games would have not been nearly what it was.

With iron finally hooked up, I declared war on Carthage with 17 upgraded swords in 1000 BC. By 875, Carthage was mine, and in 770 I sued for peace, getting all her cities except for their shiny new tundra capital.

I quickly moved my swords west, and declared on Egypt in 630 BC. In 310 I had Thebes, and I sued for peace in a similar fashion in 90 BC.

Meanwhile, Persia completed the Pyramids in 210 BC, and in 130 BC I learned Republic and revolted. I had a fairly short anarchy.

In 30 BC I noticed that Persia had entered Anarchy, so I quickly seized the oppurtunity and attacked. I faced only two Immortals, and niether won a battle, so Persia was permanently denied a GA. Speaking of GA's, I brought an Impi to the front lines, and in 90 AD, a Persian archer died at it's feet, and the Zulu Republic entered a Golden Age.

At this point the RNG began to swing very nicely towards me, and I was rewarded with the GL Mpande in 110 AD. In 130, I captured Persepolis with the Pyramids. I took Mpande there that turn and rushed the FP. As if that wasn't good enough, in 150 I got another leader, Zwelithini, who rushed the Great Lighthouse in a former Persian city. In 250 AD, I got another, who formed an empty army, as there was nothing else to rush.

In 260 AD, some foreign exploration finally paid off, and I entered the Middle Ages because of it.

I'm quite happy with my progress so far. Since respawn was on, I adopted a strategy of leaving my rivals alive until the space up north was decently filled up. It worked out well, and I didn't have to worry about killing a civ twice.

classic 34 open ptw 1.27f

goal: pre-1700 domination victory (never had one in a solo game and war skills remain weak)

4000bc scout s to hill, worker NW to wine, settler W to get more grassland

3950 settle Zimbabwe => scout

3700 meet Carthage trade pottery and WC for Masonry + 10g

3600 pop a hut, get map

3550 pop a hut, get 25g

3200 meet persia

3000 ibt learn alphabet, start writing

Wealthiest nation list published and it is us (55g)

2800bc found Ulundi, pop a hut - deserted

2750 Trade Persia Pottery + 2g for BW

2550 pop a hut and learn CB, meet egypt same turn - after the hut is popped

2330ibt Carthage politely demands CB - no - no war

2190 pop a hut and get an advanced town in no man's land (way to NW end of continent)

1990 we are 3rd happiest nation

1870 learn writing. Trade egypt alphabet for IW + 10g; trade Persia alphabet for wheel + 12g;

1450 egypt is moving troops into our territory

1400 demand egypt remove troops - she declared war (still in expansion phase)

1350 1st elite victory

975bc we are 3rd most advanced nation

950bc razed elephantine

630bc we discovered iron in a city in no mans land (new resource popped up)

570 Persia dow on us

550 perisa captured ishandlwana

530 recaptured ishandlwana

Peace with egypt for WM, HBR, mysticism, and lit (they wouldn't give up any cities, so took techs instead)

350bc persia razed ishandlwana

250bc we razed antioch

peace treaty with persia we get 56g.

10ad egypt moves troops into our territory, dow on egypt

30ad Zulu republic is born

we are the largest nation of the world

50 ad Razed Asyut and inthe process, got a GL, but on the ibt, our elite SwordMaster died

70ad rushed Great Library - only available wonder (was handbuilding the FP in the no man's land to the north), captured Persiopolis from egyptians

110ad captured susa from egypt

260 ibt, 2nd GL is born, but soon dies before the ibt is over

360ad learn currency and enter MA

Well, I really think that the early 2 front war while I was still trying to expand hurt. Also, when war was declared, I didn't have iron or horses so was fighting with archers (no impi to avoid triggering early GA). Eventually I was able to raze one of Egypt's city by iron and plant a settler of ours there - just barely before Carthage did

Here's mini map from the 50ad screenshot I took when I got my first leader - closest to end of AA (my next save is well into MA)

PTW Predator

This was a great game for me! Loosing the scouts was not that big of a hit. I just made some warriors and walked about like usual.

What a suprise to find GH's on the predator map. I got luck and popped a settler from the second one, just 9 tiles from the start!

Surrounding us with all early UU civs was a neat trick. I got into land skirmishes with all the neighbors, but avoided the GA's at first. I had to procure the iron from Cleo (lost the old settler standoff), kick Hani off my incense, and push Jerxes away from my NE ring cities.

I was in the middle of pushing Hannibal back around the turn of the age.

Here is a quick start screen at 1050BC - finished 2 skirmishes and pondering the 3rd.

klarius said:

Very succesful early warfare, but that was definitely a move.
You should have kept them as pet in their icy new home to snatch their free tech.

Click to expand...

I decided not to keep Persia around for the following:
1) Their tech pace was 40 turns. They would not reach the MA.
2) I wanted to move my troops to the next war. I didn't need to leave guards to watch them.
3) My rep. was vary bad, I needed to eliminate all AIs that know me before they can meet the AI on the other conts.

Randy said:

I decided not to keep Persia around for the following:
1) Their tech pace was 40 turns. They would not reach the MA.
2) I wanted to move my troops to the next war. I didn't need to leave guards to watch them.
3) My rep. was vary bad, I needed to eliminate all AIs that know me before they can meet the AI on the other conts.

Click to expand...

1) You could gift them into MA.
2) without resources and in tundra they were no threat
3) time enough to kill them immediately after getting their free MA tech, or even later.
And do you really intend the other AI's to live long enough tha your rep matters

Open 1.27f

My strategy for this GOTM was to research wheel at max then HBR at min then upgrade chariots to horses and go on the rampage. Matters were slightly complicated by the Carthiginians who had claimed the nearest supply of horses. An early archer rush cleared them out of the way so I could hook up the horses. This slowed me down somewhat as I had to spend alot of shields on archers so I had to turn off researching HBR a turn before it was due so I could build more chariots.

Once i had 40 chariots I upgraded and destroyed the remnants of the Carthage. Left persia with two cities for tech extortion in the MA. Took the Egytian core intact as their cities were mostly cultured.

I didn't get a single GL through all this AA combat which was very irritating given that the Zulus are supposed to be militaristic. Swords seem to be much luckier when it comes to GL generation but they are just too slow for regent level so I didn't build any.

After I upgraded my 40 chariots I turned research back on just for the potential luxury of having knights at some point. I continued to build horses in some cities but I was mainly producing settlers to in fill the gaps and then when I got currency some marketplaces. Currency took me into the M.A. in 230-250 AD. I gifted the persians into the M.A they got monotheism so I began research on fuedalism.

I also designated a couple of coastal cities for galley production this got upped to 3-4 towards the end of the AA. At this stage my forces were only lightly engaged off-continent and I was mainly content to let a couple of phoney wars soften folks up while I infilled and waited to kill the persians off.

Sent out scout and noticed the mountain with gold. Settled two squares NE from the gold.
Building three scouts initially. When I see that carthage is close I build a barracks and archers. Feel the need to eliminate them before there are numidian mercs all over.

3750BC - Ceremonial Burial from goody hut.
3300BC - Contact with Carthage. Bronze Working from goody hut. Trade for Masonry and Alphabet.
3200BC - Contact with Egypt.
3150BC - Contact with Persia.
2510BC - Settler from goody hut!
2470BC - Declare war on Carthage and destroy a city with 2 archers. Get my first elite.
2150BC - My elite archer takes Carthage by killing a Numedian Merc! Was quietly hoping that would give me a MGL, but guess I was lucky enough that it won at all.
1950BC - My archers destroys the carthaginians and a new Carthage capital respawns close by.
1750BC - Discover Writing. I go for Code of Laws and then Republic. I make peace with Carthage and get a city, a worker and 90 gold. Trade for Horseback Riding with Persians. I give them contact to Carthage and Egypt.
1625BC - Trade for Iron Working from Egypt. Give them all my tech + 70 gold.
1500BC - Declare war on Egypt
1450BC - Autoraze an Egyptian city
1425BC - Mysticism from goddy hut
1175BC - Discover Philosophy. Autoraze a second Egyptian city.
1000BC - Peace with Egyptians. Got one city. Following status of the empire:

10 cities
11 workers
3 scouts
10 warriors
9 archers
69 gold
Contact with Persia, Egypt and Carthage
184 points in world ranking
19 population
2 Barracks
Slow tech rate. 17 turns remains for republic.



730BC - Got Mapmaking from Egypt in exchange for peace. I had started new war and razed a couple of cities.
650BC - Discover Republic. Start revolt - 3 turns anarchy.

10AD - Discovers Mathematics after a long period with peace and quiet. Having problems in Republic. Too much goes to upkeep and I can hardly research. And since nobody else is doing any progress either, this will take time. I go first for Construction and then Currency.

170AD - Persians declare war. They have just connected iron and believe they are ready to take me on.

360AD - Golden Age is triggered.

390AD - Discover Poly and we enter the Middle Ages. We research Feudalism. The war against the Persians is going well.

430AD - FIRST MILITARY LEADER. FINALLY after tons of elite wins!! I use him to build Forbidden Palace in Persepolis.

Open

Entered MA in 150 BC; fought a couple brief wars (border conflicts), once each v. Carthage and Egypt; triggered GA early (all civs on landmass have fairly early GA's, so once I own entire continent, "later" GA's across the sea will not matter.).

GOTM 34 – Zulu (Open)
Civgeek
Ancient Times (4,000 BC – 330 AD)

Pre-History: I’m aiming for a 20K victory so need to quickly identify best location for 20K city and place priority on getting Colossus and Great Library. A good location will have food bonus, hills, forest, hopefully several bonus grassland, be on a river and the coast. I would prefer to not use the capital for the 20K city, just to have the palace pre-build available for flexibility (even on Regent). Overall I want to keep the tech pace slow, to maximize chances at wonders, and use militaristic trait to good advantage in trying to generate great leaders (so lots of wars, don’t eliminate too many rival civs too early).

Opening Sequence: I decided to maximize scouting the first two turns, including using the settler and worker, in order to see if there was a good 20K location nearby. So. Scout S reveals grassland, bonus grassland, plain, forest and mountain with gold. Still can’t determine if water to E is ocean. Worker N reveals forest and 4 plains with mountains to W; scout S to hills reveals 1 more bonus grassland and more plains with hills/mountains to S. Move settler W revealing bonus grassland, plains and mountains. Next turn scout moves E-NE, confirming water is a lake. Best location for capital seems to be SW of starting position. This will have 3 bonus grassland, numerous plains/river and both wines in expanded radius. No bonus food, but I would want to keep that for 20K city anyway; so move settler SE, worker SW and found Zimbabwe next turn. Production set to Scout-Scout-Warrior-Warrior-Settler. I always kick out two scouts in the opening when I’m playing an expansionist civ; their unique value depreciates so rapidly you may as well get the best return you can for them in the very early game. Start researching Bronze Working (for Colossus) at maximum (15 turns), to be followed by Alphabet, Writing and Literature (for Great Library). Generated 290 shields in first 50 turns of production from this start, which is an average-to-good start for me. Not having any bonus food certainly hurts.

Exploration and Expansion: Basically the three scouts explored west and south, skirting the jungles to the north. Popped 4 huts, one rather late as it was hidden in a lone fogged tile I’d by-passed earlier. Received, in order, Ceremonial Burial, settler (far to the W), deserted, maps). Sequence of contacts with other civs was as follows:

3300 BC Carthage
3100 BC Egypt
2270 BC Persia

Sadly there didn’t appear to be an ideal location – or even a good location - for a 20K city near the capital, so decided to go with a location at mouth of river NE from Zimbabwe. Ulundi was 2nd city; settled in 2670 BC. Not ideal location given lack of hills for Middle Age production, but enough bonus grassland and plains to get production up in to the 10-15 range fairly quickly and it is on a river and the ocean. The whales will also help. Started a temple right away, then Colossus. Other city placement was fairly haphazard after this as I went on a quest for bonus food, any bonus food, but I think it will work out fine once I either palace jump of build FP in the central area.



Military Endeavors: I decided an early war policy would be helpful, partly because of my lack of bonus food while both Egypt and Carthage had cattle near their capitals so they were expanding faster. Built a barracks in Zimbabwe right after the first settler, then started building archers. No Impi for now as I didn’t want to trigger an early Golden Age.

First Egyptian War: The target for our first war was either Egypt or Carthage and given the tough Numidians, decided Egypt was a better opponent, especially after they tried to sneak a city adjacent to an iron source I wanted. I declared in 1525 BC, attacking with a small force of 4 archers and 2 warriors (no iron or horse hooked-up yet). Very quickly autorazed two Egyptian Pop 1 cities, during which an elite archer killed a wounded Egyptian warrior and generated Mpande. (2 elite attacks, 1 GL; wonder if that ratio will hold? ) At this point, 1350 BC, Egypt’s nose has been bloodied and I had a GL, so decide to sue for peace, getting Mysticism and Pi-Ramesses (which was sitting on Egypt’s iron) in the bargain. I didn’t want to seriously weaken anybody at this point since I was planning on getting the Great Library and need the AIs actively trading their techs around. With a leader available, I decided to crank research to max to get Literature in 13 turns and use the leader to rush the Great Library. Colossus was 14 turns from finishing at this point so the timing worked out very nicely.

Second Egyptian War: The iron under Pi-Ramesses was useless to me until I had harbors, so I roaded to the iron in the mountian tile just east of Egypt’s core. Hooked it up in 800 BC and upgrade 8 warriors to swords. Where to send this army? At this point we were “strong” against everybody. Persia could use a war to slow down its expansion north, Carthage was leading in score, but has those Numidians, Egypt has some nice areas and capturing Thebes would stop her Oracle construction and provide me with horses. So Egypt it was. I declared war in 630 BC, attacking with 8 swords and 6 archers, including 2 elite archers. Other than a stiff defense at Memphis, where I lost four swords taking out two spears, Cleo didn’t put up much of a struggle. Thebes fell in 470 BC and I had captured/razed the rest of the core by 370 BC. Sued for peace with Egypt respawing north of Persia. 5 elite attacks, no leaders.

Persian Infringements: Persia declared war on me in 250 BC, with several warriors sitting outside Ulundi. However, they were easily defeated by the garrison swords, and other than a few archers that was the bulk of his attack force. I used a couple of elite swords coming back from Egypt to capture Arbela and then sued for peace as I could see Immortals approaching and wanted to avoid giving him a Golden Age. 2 elite attacks, no leaders.

The Carthaginian Campaign: It seemed obvious that a minor campaign against Carthage was going to develop towards the end of the Ancient Age or early in the Middle Ages, even if just to bloody him a bit. However, after he completed both the Pyramids and the Great Wall in Carthage, I decided perhaps conquering his core was more beneficial. I built-up my swords/horsemen (thanks to those fine Egyptian stallions now available in Zimbabwe) until I was “strong” against him. However the timing was difficult. I gained Republic in 250 AD while I was still “average”, so I decided to switch governments and wait until after the anarchy (4-turns; shortest I’ve had in several games). I also built a couple of Impi hoping for a successful defense against a counter-attack and a Golden Age. After positioning troops, I declared in 310 AD by disconnecting his iron with a scout. The next turn Rusicade fell, but costs me 3 elite swords and redlined 3 other elites. Utica fell, but cost me 2 veteran swords. Numidians behind walls with the Great Wall are tough! However, a courageous Impi warrior on a slaving raid successfully held off a counter-attacking Numidian Mercenary to start our Golden Age the same turn I entered the Middle Ages. As the Middle Ages dawn, the Carthaginian Campaign rages on. 10 elite attacks, no leaders so far (so for Ancient Times I was 1 for 19 in leader opportunities).

Technology and Trading: Research priority was to allow key wonders, then Republic, then to advance to Middle Ages. I didn’t engage in a lot of trading as I wanted to keep tech pace slow and once I had the Great Library, I basically shut down research for a while. I did trade to acquire a few key techs early (Alphabet to get jump on Literature, Wheel and Iron Working to find out where resources where, Masonry for Palace). Techs were gained as follows:

4000 BC Warrior Code/Pottery (Start; start res Bronze Working at max)
3750 BC Ceremonial Burial (GH)
3300 BC Alphabet (from Carthage for War. Cod. and Pot.)
3200 BC Bronze Working (start Writ. at min)
3100 BC Masonry (from Egypt for Pot. And 5 gold)
2270 BC The Wheel (from Persia for 75 gold)
1990 BC Iron Working (from Persia for Alphabet and 70 gold)
1600 BC Writing (start Lit. at min.)
1350 BC Mysticism (from Egypt in peace settlement)
1050 BC Literature (started min then went max with GL; start Phil at min)
1000 BC Map-Making (from Great Library)
1000 BC Horseback Riding (from Great Library)
950 BC Code of Laws (from Great Library)
650 BC Mathematics (from Great Library)
310 BC Construction (from Great Library)
250 BC Philosophy
230 BC Polytheism (from Great Library; start Mon. at max (Hanging Gardens))
10 BC Monarchy (start Republic at max)
250 AD Republic (start Cur. at max.)
330 AD Currency (enter MA; start Feud. at max since Persia has Mon.)

Ended up researching more than I would have liked after getting the Great Library, but Persia and Carthage stopped trading with each other for some reason and Egypt dropped of the tech chart after I conquered their core. However, my plan is to delay contact with the other continent(s) as long as possible in to the Middle Ages, to hopefully slingshot several techs past Education once we do meet, before the Great Library becomes obsolete.

Wonders and 20K Status: A 20K victory is all about building wonders. Ulundi focused on nothing but wonders. and the occasional culture building for the entire Ancient Times. With the help of one great leader this resulted in:

1050 BC Colossus
1025 BC Great Library (leader)
290 BC Great Lighthouse
190 AD Hanging Gardens

The Lighthouse was a consolation as we lost out on the Oracle (to another continent civ) and Pyramids and Great Wall (Carthage). Actually didn’t want the Great Wall as it would have triggered a Golden Age. Also was able to squeeze in a temple, library and coliseum before the Middle Ages. As of 330 AD Ulundi’s culture is at 1404 and 36/turn. AlanH’s indispensable spreadsheet tool shows 2050 AD culture of 17,980, so still some work to be done.



Outlook: Looking good so far. Getting four Ancient wonders, two before 1000 BC including the Great Library is a very solid start. Militarily don’t have much to worry about from any neighbors, so the challenge in the Middle Ages will be to manage construction of key wonders such as Sistine Chapel and Bach’s Cathedral. Starting out with our Golden Age will help, so I will probably also go for Shakespeare Theatre as well. The lack of luxuries (only two right now) is a bit of a concern.

QSC Stats
5 cities, 14 pop, 5 workers, 3 scouts, 10 warriors, 6 archers;
1 temple, 1 barracks;
13 techs (1st + 2nd (-Mathematics) + Literature, Map-Making and Horseback Riding);
Contacts with Carthage, Egypt and Persia, embassies with all;
306g.

Middle Ages 20 cities, Pop 90, leading in histograph score (413) and culture, tied for power.

[PTW] 1.27f - Open Class

Ancient Age

I decided to try keeping a turn log this time.

4000BC: Worker->E (it's a lake, nothing that way); Scout->W->S (a couple BG); Settler->SW (get grapes and BG in city radius)

3950BC: Worker->NW (take a peek north, on the way to grapes); Scout->S->S (This one explores the south); Build Capitol (building Scout)

3900BC: Worker->W (to grapes)

3850BC: Worker mines

3750BC: GH = 25g

3700BC: Discover Carthage to the SE; Have: Masonary & Alphabet; Needs: Pottery & WC; Trade WC & 45g for Alpha; 2nd Scout->W->W (more water)

3550BC Worker->NE (mine second grapes); GH = map of South

3400BC: GH = CB

3100BC: GH = BW; Cathage Have: BW & Masonary; Need: Pottery & CB; Traded CB,Pottery, & 15g for Masonary

3050BC: Discover Eygpt; Needs: Alphabet, Pottery, & WC

2750BC: Discover Persia; Needs: Alpha & Pottery; (From 3rd scout, after that the builds were warrior, Settler, warrior, Settler)

2470BC: Traded Persia Alphabetc for Wheel & 10g

2110BC: Carthage demands 27g; I refuse, they declare war (I have 2 cities, 1 worker, 1 settler, 3 scouts, 2 warriors)

2070BC: Traded Eygpt Alphabet for Mysticism & 10g

At this point I stopped taking notes, I continued to build as many settlers as I could and concentrated on barracks and warriors otherwise.


By 1550BC, I had 4 cities, 2 workers, 9 warriors, 3 scouts (two were blocking the neck of land connecting Egypt & Persia, with the last far north). Carthage had the only horses I could see and there was iron near their capitol that they hadn't done anything about. Eygpt had settled between me & the other iron to the SE. I was already at war with Carthage and they have what I need. Simple choice. The war with Carthage became active. They sent a couple warriors wandering northward which I killed. And had I sent 3 warriors towards Utica (between SW between the cow & horses). I grabbed a worker and traded casulties around Utica. Numerian Mercenaries were going to make things difficult. I started building archers. In the meantime, I killed archers and warriors when opportunity presented and destroyed improvements around their capitol. As a bonus, I popped a GH for a city in the far NW near a iron resource. I started working it towards connecting the iron and building a habor. (It never became a factor, however.)


My 1000BC stats were: 7 cities; 12 pop, 1 Settler, 6 workers, 7 warriors, 7 Archers.


When I had enough built up enough archers I attacked and auto-razed Utica. I was moving a settler toward the former Utica site with the horses. I had brought Persia into the war to keep them on my side and busy. By this time, the MA had expired. So, I made peace in 825BC for Hippo (my 9th city) on the eastern tip of the continent. My thinking was use the horses to build up a force of horsmen.


By 270BC, I was ready for another round. I had 14 cities, 2 Settlers, 9 workers, 2 warriors, 6 swordmen, 11 horsemen. I had settled 5 more cities, one in the north and with the others filling the gab between myself and Carthage. I even put a city next to the iron west of Carthage. (Wheat & iron, what's not to like.) I was able to connect the iron and upgrade my warriors.


Persia had remained at war with Carthage the whole time. They had been sparing in and out of my territory just east of the big inland sea. So I needed to bribe Eygpt to get everyone involved. I captured one of Carthage's 3 original cities. (During the interrum between wars Carthage founded more two cities along the southern coast in tundra.) Then, I lost half my horsemen trying to take Carthage. Slight mis-calculation choosing horsemen over swordmen or were the RNG gods just being mean? (I was thinking ahead toward Knights.) We'll never know for sure. I switched all my builds from horsemen to swordmen. While, I was build up swordmen, Persia grabbed the other orginal city of to the east. Eventually, I overpowered the Numerian Mercenaries in Carthage and the raced with Eygpt to auto-raze the two coastal cities. The last city was destroyed in 110AD. In 130AD, Carthage was respawned in the empty region of the north. I don't know why Persia never expanded very far that way. I could have had something to do with them being at war with Carthage most of the AA . Not that they ever did much of anything.


I researched Monarchy in 50BC, but waited until fight was over in 130AD to switch governments. After 4 turns of anarchy, I entered monarchy in 230AD. In the long run, Carthage respawning was a good thing, I eventually made peace and was able to trade for a couple of key techs with them, including Construction, which allow me to enter the Middle Age in 340AD. I traded for the last AA tech (literature) the following year (350AD). By that time, I had 21 cities, 13 workers, 1 Warrior, 4 Archers, 22 Swordmen, 5 Horsemen, and 1 lucky galley (2 or 3 others had already been scarificed.). It got me contact with the rest of the world. I was able to trade for everyone's maps with giving out mine. But more about that in the MA spoiler.


Technology Timeline
3950BC Pottery; Warrior Code - start tech
3650BC Alphabet - trade
3350BC Ceremonial Burial - GH
3050BC Bronze Working; Masonry - GH;trade
2430BC The Wheel - trade
2030BC Mysticism - trade
1910BC Writing - research
1750BC Iron Working - trade
1100BC Horseback Riding - trade
825BC Code of Laws; Map Making - trade;research
730BC Philosophy - trade
410BC Polytheism - research
390BC Mathematics - trade
50BC Monarchy - research
290AD The Republic - trade
310AD Currency - research
340AD Construction - trade
350AD Literature - trade

Wonders:
Oracle - 800BC - Carthage (mine now )
Colossus - 330BC - Eygpt
Pyramids - 330BC - <Civ1>
Lighhouse - 260AD - <Civ2>
Great Wall - 270AD - <Civ3>
Hanging Gardens - in-process (Zulu, Eygpt, Civ1, Civ2, Civ3)
Library - in-process (Eygpt

Open
I rushed through this one having missed the last two Classic GOTMs. I wanted to submit it before I go on my hols on Wednesday. So a quick domination or conquest win seemed to be the way to go I took reasonable notes for the first 2000 year, but after that it gets a bit hazy

The Start
Scout went west and saw nothing special, then south and saw a BG. The worker went north to the wine, no news! I decided the water was not a big enough factor to justify moving to it, away from the river, or away from it, so I settled on the spot in 4000 BC. The water turned out to be just a little lake. Japan was not in the F10 list, so I decided to go for Wheel as fast as possible. And because there was no barb threat I started with another scout to help look for goodies and the rest of the world.

Zimbabwe's build order was scout, warrior, scout, granary, barracks, archer, settler. The warrior was insurance against an early embarrasing conquest defeat, as it looked like I was going to be a one-city state for a while. My early explorations didn't show up any nearby food bonuses, so I figured I needed a granary to boost pop growth.

Research and Development
When Wheel research completed in 3150 BC I was delighted to see we had no visible horses . So any early military operations were going to involve veteral archers, and my shield production rate was such that I could fit a barracks and archer in before my pop was good enough to build a settler. My first settler didn't appear until 2390 BC, and built Ulandi 2 tiles south of Zimbabwe, on a hill.

The first scout went south, then west, and the second went north. They found goodie huts early on. One yielded Ceremonial Burial, two others were deserted. They both spotted AI borders as all the capitals expanded in 3500 BC, and we made contact with Egypt and Persia in 3450 BC. We traded for Masonry and Bronze. Our third scout went south and east, and finally met Carthage in 3100 BC. Hannibaline gave us Alphabet, and we started research on Writing at 10%.

The scouts later popped Mysticism and HBR from huts in 2850 and 2670 BC, and finally started to find some food bonuses and horses, but they were a long way from home, and the other civs were mopping up the choice spots. When I traded for Ironworking from Carthage in 2270 BC and discovered that all the iron was under AI management, I decided I had found my settler factory. It was called The AI

Proxy Settlement
So an early archer rush was the first order of business. I did a short appraisal of the options for my archer army. My first thought was to go for Carthage as it was right next door. But they were sporting those snazzy red and yellow Hoplites, and I didn't think an archer rush would do too well against them. Egypt was a little distant, and I was worried about tackling Cleo's war chariots with archers, so that left Persia, and an early war against them might pre-empt the dread Immortals. As I wanted to use the Persian cities I decided I would hit the capital first, which wouldn't autoraze. It also had iron available but not yet hooked up. So I built a bunch of archers and took out Persepolis in 1325 BC, and then in 570 BC I captured Pasargadae. In 450 BC the X-man was suddenly prepared to give two more cities for peace, so my Persian "settler factory" had donated 4 cities and Xerxes was sitting in a lonely Suza on the west coast, on borrowed time until his free tech would arrive when I gave him the gift of his short life.

So by 1000 BC I had a puny empire of 5 cities I'd built plus one I'd acquired. Carthage and Egypt were at 7 and 8 cities each respectvely.

Meanwhile I was building a mix of settlers, plus warriors for upgrade swordsmen once I got Xerxes' iron hooked up, and I started to grow a bit. After I learnt to Write I researched Mapmaking to get some galleys out, as I was likely to run short of local friends soon, then Literature to build libraries, then beelined Republic. Carthage and Egypt contributed Polytheism, Maths, Currency and Construction, and I traded my way into the Middle Ages around 130 AD, I think.

Here's an F3 screen from my first save, in 310 BC when I had 14 cities, including four of Persia's:



And here's a doctored replay minimap for 130 AD, roughly when I reached the Middle Ages. I only had a couple more cities at this stage, but you can see significant culture expansion as a result of my investment in libraries.

Open PTW 1.21f

5CC Conquest IV

Start
Another month, another try at a 5CC Conquest. This time it's the Zulu on Regent and I really like my odds. Maybe, just maybe, I'll finally pull it off after two losses and a Diplomatic win.

I started with my scout moving south, spotting the gold. I want that gold in Zimbabwe so my settler moves 2 spots SW. Zimbabwe would have no food bonus but would be shield and trade-rich. I started my build order with a Scout, a Worker, another Scout and then a Granary. My hopes were to pop a settler from a goody hut or two and help negate the lack of food.

I started my research with the Wheel at 100%. After last month's no resource game I was determined to get either horses or iron this game. None of the other civs start with the Wheel so I figured I would start there, trade for Bronze Working when it became available and then researching Iron Working.

Goody Huts
My scouts quickly found several goody huts but I held off on popping them. I knew at regent it would be a bit before any non-expansionists would send out explorers so my plan was to wait until either A)I saw a foreign scout in the field or B)Several civs built their second city. I figured this would be the best way to get a settler from a hut.

I quickly met all 3 civs and I was able to turn my 2 initial techs into all the 1st tier techs barring the Wheel, which I researched at about that time. In 2750bc all 3 civs had 2 cities so I began popping huts. 1st hut gave me Mysticism, 2nd hut was deserted. The 3rd hut (on the mountain to the south) finally gave me a settler who rushed to the nearby lakeshore just south of the Incense. The same turn one of my scouts popped a 4th hut far to the north and got me Horseback Riding. My final goody hut popped in the south tundra gave me some worthless maps. All in all not bad as 3 of 5 huts were helpfull.

Iron
Once again it was no dice with the horses. Desperatly I researched Iron Working at 100% and was filled with joy when I saw an Iron source just to the west of Ulundi. A worker was immediately sent to build a colony. Persia and Carthage had both taken prime city sites and some quick wars were in order.

Once Iron was researched I dropped my science to 10% (Mathematics) to build cash to upgrade my small stash of warriors. Persia had placed their 3rd city, Susa, on the whale site to the NE. Surprising, as it was far from their capitol and cut off by the jungle. In 1125bc I sent 3 swords to Susa and 5 more to the rest of Persia. Zimbabwe built a settler to follow and get Hlobane built in Susa's ruins.

As soon as my armies entered Persian territory Egypt demanded Writing. I had no desire to defend myself against War Chariots at this time so I reluctantly gave it. Not that it really mattered - their future was bleak to begin with.

Soon Susa, Pasargadae and Persepolis were razed, leaving the Persians with a small town on a hill between the ocean and two mountains. In this time we had only one promotion to elite. Pretty disappointing. Peace was made in 730bc. I could have taken that last city, but my respawn plan was to leave each civ with a small town in the south until I could get a decent force up north. The land up there would make a great start for a civ and I want to be able to nip any attempt in the bud.

Egypt
As the Persian War was winding down I had sent all my new built Swords to the Egyptian border. Egypt had placed Elephantine just outside my iron source and it would eventually be taken once Elephantine's culture had expanded. In 530bc war was declared and by 190bc Thebes had been razed (along with the Colossus) and Egypt was down to 1 city in the south tundra. Egypt gave me Philosophy, Code of Laws and Map Making for peace.

the Great Library
My overall plan with tech had been to get to Map Making and then quit researching. Once I discovered Math I went for Literature at 10%. At the same time, Ulundi began a prebuid for the Great Library. Zimbabwe was pumping out swords every 3 turns and warriors every 1 turn when my iron was disconnected. This was easily enough to handle my enemies so Ulundi's production wasn't missed. My goal was to cripple all 3 civs with my swords, build up a mass of horses, galleys and gold and hope I could find the other continent in good time for a massive Knight landing. The foreign civs will do my research for me thanks to the old Library.

Carthage
Carthage was the largest and toughest of the 3 civs. During the Egyptian War, Bapedi started building Catapults to help my swords against those tough Numidean Mercinaries. In 130bc I got some luck when Carthage demanded Literature just as I had my troops positioned outside their borders. They declare war and 12 Swords along with 8 Catapults start a tough but successful invasion. Carthage became the first of the civs to get their Golden Age (Persia never connected iron and Eypt only had a couple Chariots) but my forces still rolled through their territory.

Shortly into the war I got my first Great Leader - Mpandi. The Great Library was due in 7 turns, so after some thought I used him to build an army of swords so that I could build the Heroic Epic. The Library would be the only Wonder I build from scratch so it would be nice to get more frequent Leaders.

In 320ad, the Great Leader Zwelithini appeared in the razing of Hippo - the last major Carthage city. With just one city in the tundra left I trade peace in exchange for Currency, the Republic and Construction. Zwelithini heads off to rush the Heroic Epic.

To the Middle Ages (Eventually)
With Carthage out of the way I began my horse build up. The remainder of my swords went back and knocked off more Egyptian and Persian cities to keep them in check. The Great Leader Dingane was created in a battle vs Egypt and with nothing of note available for rushing I sent him to hang out in Zimbabwe until I need him. A few galleys were circling the continent looking for a good spot to suicide from but no contact had been made yet.

In 840ad I traded peace to Carthage again for Polytheism and entered the Middle Ages. I've got 33 Horsemen and 12 Galleys built and ready to go with more on the way. Now, where is that other continent?

Tech
3250bc - Ceremonial Burial (Egypt)
Bronze Working (Egypt)
Masonry (Persia)
2900bc - the Wheel
2750bc - Alphabet (Carthage)
Mysticism (hut)
2590bc - Horseback Riding (hut)
2150bc - Iron Working
1350bc - Writing (Carthage)
1000bc - Mathematics
190bc_ - Philosophy (Egypt for peace)
Code of Laws (Egypt for peace)
Map Making (Egypt for peace)
150bc_ - Literature
320ad_ - Currency (Carthage for peace)
Republic (Carthage for peace)
Construction (Carthage for peace)
840ad_ - Polytheism (Carthage for peace)

City Production
Zimbabwe
3650bc - Scout
3400bc - Worker
3150bc - Scout
2900bc - Warrior
2150bc - Granary
2030bc - Worker
1830bc - Barracks
1675bc - Settler
1625bc - Warrior-9
1050bc - Settler
975bc - Swordsman-9
430bc - Warrior-8
210bc - Swordsman-2
90bc - Settler
30bc - Swordsman-9
410ad - Marketplace
460ad - Temple
580ad - Colosseum
610ad - Horseman-9

Ulundi
1550bc - Temple
1175bc - Granary
1100bc - Worker
230ad - Great Library
320ad - Courthouse
340ad - Heroic Epic (Zwelithini)
420ad - Marketplace
440ad - Barracks
510ad - Horseman-8
830ad - Colosseum

Bapedi
950bc - Temple
590bc - Granary
510bc - Barracks
430bc - Catapult-7
10bc - Swordsman-5
330ad - Courthouse
420ad - Marketplace
450ad - Horseman-16

Hlobane
510bc - Temple
310bc - Granary
250bc - Barracks
150bc - Swordsman-7
350ad - Courthouse
450ad - Marketplace
520ad - Harbor
550ad - Galley-13


Isandhlwana
510ad - Courthouse
590ad - Temple
680ad - Marketplace
700ad - Barracks
830ad - Colosseum