The Always War Challenge #3 - Ethiopia Deity

• Suggested VC is Domination, mainly because the other VCs will be significantly more difficult than normal with no peace. Pushing tourism into civs you are at war with basically doesn't work. Trying to Ally all the CS when most of them are your permanent enemies is also near impossible (you'd have to wait for their alliance to expire, which might not happen). Science victory is possible but without RAs, and with having everyone hate you, it would be even more painful than the usual 'Next Turn' mundanity.

• Ancient Ruins and Barbarians are both off to compensate slightly for the horrendous handicap one would have not even being able to scout peacefully and miss out on all the pop, faith, culture, gold, etc that would be in the ruins, and having to deal with barbs too. I mean, it's you vs. the world. Not all-vs-all. If the AI civs can, on top of being able to trade with one another, sign RAs with one another, etc, and all their usual OP advantages, get an insane headstart like T5 writing etc, then this would probably be unwinnable.

• I think Mark1031 is right that this challenge should be at least quite difficult, but not, I think impossible. I've personally never tried it, so am giving it a go as a test. I chose Ethiopia because they aren't bad for warmongering, have a UU that could be handy later, give options for Religion, and give a reason to go Honor, which is the only way I think this map is ever going to be won.

• AI civs have been chosen for an average to above-average strength bunch, and a good mix of personalities.

• I've not looked at the map except to remove some ice in case anyone cares about boats (I usually don't bother as I don't like losing tiles to ocean).

kb27787 said:

So, I know better than to even attempt the challenge... only people who will succeed probably will be the likes of Acken or Ironfighter.

Click to expand...

consentient said:

T66 THIS IS REALLY HARD

Spoiler :

The three closest neighbours are attacking all at once. Building mainly archers was obvious, but one of those neighbours has a golden age bonus that won't go away

Keeping the workers safe, the caravan safe and, above all, the cities safe, is not very easy. This could get nasty when you-know-who gets pikes

Prize of a Snickers bar to the first player to successfully steal a worker from an AI when you have to DoW before the steal

Click to expand...

Spoiler :

Edit: I'm on turn 111, just got machinery and finally back into positive gold. Maybe I can make something happen here. Policies use: Republic + full honor.

Edit: Gave up around T180. I was nowhere dead but my game was going nowhere. I was able to capture some persian cities but fighting riflemens and strength 80 cities with crossbows is way too slow. My science is abysmal I'm looking at a T230 artillery or something. My biggest problem was that persia was way ahead in tech, getting riflemen fast and strength 60cities. I think a possible solution is to farm really hard on experience and take him out quickly with crossbows. All my guys are fully upgraded though
Or you can attempt to turtle and launch in T350 I guess but that's a snoozefest.

Edit: well maybe I'll try to continue see where it goes

Edit: The constant flow of units is too much I don't feel to continue even though I can probably survive for a while with artilleries and super gatling guns.

Spoiler :