(side note: Ello all, I'm new here. And now for something completely the same
So I am wondering if anyone has suggestions for improving this basic build order. I ask because I find that, barring absolutely amazing luck in terms of natural resources and getting techs from barbarians, I am usually outpaced in nearly every respect by the computer by the early middle ages.
I really like the Sumerians. Agricultural seems like an awesome ability to me as it allows for the colonization of deserts even early on. Scientific seems like a generally good idea as I tend to emphasize technology and culture over military. Plus their unique unit is very useful in the early game (its a spearman for the cost of a warrior).
My build order usually looks like this:
1) First city
2) Warrior (start exploring)
3) Warrior (city defense)
4-6) Settler
7) Temple
8) Pyramids
9) Library
10) Courthouse
11) Marketplace
In the 3 cities created by settlers in steps 4-6 I build:
1) Warrior
2) Worker (each city has a worker dedicated to improving said city, once a city has every square improved that worker joins a pool that helps out in critial cities or national tasks like pollution cleanup or securing luxeries/resources)
*) If the city is right on a border and I can afford it I will hurry a temple and sometimes a library here to start accumulating culture
3) Settler
4) Settler (if food is not scarce, else goto 6)
5) Settler (if food is abundant, else goto 6)
6) Temple
7) Library
8) Wonder
I generally place my cities according the the following criteria (in terms of importance, most to least)
1) A good resource base (eg: sufficient food and production potential)
2) Does not overlap any squares of existing cities
3) Renders as few useful squares as possible "unusable" by future cities
In terms of wonders I tend to focus on those that do not go obsolete. I usually have a core of 3-4 cities that are founded early on and have a good resource base that crank these things out. I think my favorite wonders are the Pyramids and the one that doubles the effects of cathedrals.
In terms of research I generally go for masonry then straight to the one with libraries (usually pick up ceremonial burial from barbarians or trade).
So, any advice?
So I am wondering if anyone has suggestions for improving this basic build order. I ask because I find that, barring absolutely amazing luck in terms of natural resources and getting techs from barbarians, I am usually outpaced in nearly every respect by the computer by the early middle ages.
I really like the Sumerians. Agricultural seems like an awesome ability to me as it allows for the colonization of deserts even early on. Scientific seems like a generally good idea as I tend to emphasize technology and culture over military. Plus their unique unit is very useful in the early game (its a spearman for the cost of a warrior).
My build order usually looks like this:
1) First city
2) Warrior (start exploring)
3) Warrior (city defense)
4-6) Settler
7) Temple
8) Pyramids
9) Library
10) Courthouse
11) Marketplace
In the 3 cities created by settlers in steps 4-6 I build:
1) Warrior
2) Worker (each city has a worker dedicated to improving said city, once a city has every square improved that worker joins a pool that helps out in critial cities or national tasks like pollution cleanup or securing luxeries/resources)
*) If the city is right on a border and I can afford it I will hurry a temple and sometimes a library here to start accumulating culture
3) Settler
4) Settler (if food is not scarce, else goto 6)
5) Settler (if food is abundant, else goto 6)
6) Temple
7) Library
8) Wonder
I generally place my cities according the the following criteria (in terms of importance, most to least)
1) A good resource base (eg: sufficient food and production potential)
2) Does not overlap any squares of existing cities
3) Renders as few useful squares as possible "unusable" by future cities
In terms of wonders I tend to focus on those that do not go obsolete. I usually have a core of 3-4 cities that are founded early on and have a good resource base that crank these things out. I think my favorite wonders are the Pyramids and the one that doubles the effects of cathedrals.
In terms of research I generally go for masonry then straight to the one with libraries (usually pick up ceremonial burial from barbarians or trade).
So, any advice?