Big Picture Theory

I was drinking with Whomp tonight and discussing quite vigorously on this game and it's dynamics. He spoke of the politics going on, we praised TR's genious interpolations and ragged on you know who that is trying to revolutionize CIV.

We had a few shots, go figure, and I came to the conclusion that there are not that many worries. TURN 30'ish and we have a settler factory, expanding on rivers due to the agri trait. We will dominate, no question.

What we need to look at down the road, AKA BPT (Big Picture Theory) is our core at this point. BUILD it like a King. Expansion is the key now and our trait is our key to our future dominance. Population and towns are key. All this other political blah-blah-blah is just that. We are in a game to win! Discount all the politicism. We need the expansion 1st, contacts will come and we will deal with that diplomacy as it happens. This game is extremely early. We are in a great position.

As to the furs to the west, Build the core. Even if someone jumps it, and with our settlement power I don' think they will, we will prevail in taking that site. That is great scouting but we need to develop.

Whomp, can we get the pyramids, that would be nice.

The game in front of all of us is expansion right now, that's it. Let's gitty up boys and concentrate on that.

Aye, expansion...B-e-F had a point on that suggesting we make another 4 turner out of Dunderhead...

I'm not so sure that the pyramids are a good investment. We just need a granary in our 2 settler factories (dunderhead is considering the switch) and in Ignoramus (for workers). Our other cities will grow.

But they would be nice if we could get them. with the city after Jesterton

Imagine, all cities with 4 turn growth from republic on ... that's beyond insane. the current 7 turn standard growth for a river/grass working city is also good, but 4 turns becomes mind boggling.

Now we have 3 potential "colony city" sites, which we'll have to outrun MIA to - but we haven't seen a single scout from them now have we? My bet is that they gambled 100% growth, 0 military, non-agression pact and low-to-0 scouting. If it is that way and we can snatch 2 factories by turn 45-50, I propose we build a full first circle around the capital and then send the settlers out. No one is going to beat us to them anyways.

Grabbing the dyes gives us a big trade advantage, no question there, but since the other ressources are isolated, they're not as crucially important.

@ slinger - have three for me well said

I think pyramids would be overpowering for us. We could crush MIA in pure numbers

I've said it before... the shields are better invested in military, or in fact anything else. AA Wonders are out as far as I'm concerned.

2 4 turners sounds nice, but might be a little overkill on a small map. Still the extra granary is worthwhile, because we can alternate between workers and settlers. It's like having 1.5 settler pumps and 1.5 worker pumps.

I'm with Crakie here. One of the big mistakes humans make in PBEM's is not enough military. As much as I would like to have grans in every city military in every city is more important IMO. A SGL would be pyramids for sure.

OK, so we some differing opinions on this matter and since the possible wonder-city is not far away from being settled I find it reasonalbly to cast some votes. I'll post a poll.