What are the differences between playing the AI and playing a human

I have never played on multiplayer edition before. But as soon as I get a new computer I intend to start very soon.

To those who have played multiplayer CIV against Flesh & Blood humans, what are some of the basic differences that you have noticed between playing the AI, and playing Humans? I already know the opponents are MUCH smarter than the AI, but beyond that what else?

BTW, I look forward to crushing your pathetic little Civ's when I finally do go MP.

Human players form useful alliances. You don't have to bribe them to trade maps. Humans can be devious. Humans more likely to bribe, steal tech, and otherwise use diplomats/spies very effectively. Humans more likely to leave cities undefended.

And: humans leave the game!

Well when you play MP a lot of people play using the 2x2x mode on, so all your cities grow and produce much faster and your unites will explore much faster. But no mater if you play using 2x2x a human player will expand much faster than an AI opponent - they will build smart unites and they will either give you a close race or beat you in the techs.

There are a few things that human players do that AI never do - like building cities on mountains for better defence and stuff - but mosly you will have to learn by doing - the hard way...........

<img src="graemlins/snipersmilie.gif" border="0" alt="[Sniper]" />

(A) A human is actually good, and<br />(B) You're going to lose the first game you play.

Having said that, I've only played once because I haven't got MGE and it was on 1x1x if that's what the normal game is known as. It took much longer than the AI and I got totally whipped. My mate (whose PC I was using) was very amused while I was quite ashamed. When you've played the AI for so long, you start to anticipate what it's going to do and plan long-term with this in mind, but the human opponent will not be so linear. It's a much greater challenge, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes Civ, but I don't get to play often enough. <img src="graemlins/cry.gif" border="0" alt="[Cry]" />

Though I have admittedly thus far most of all played against my somewhat, err, less skilled neighbors and friends in Multiplayer ( not trying to brag mind you, just that I spend a lot more hours with the lovely game. <img src="tongue.gif" border="0"> ) my experiences of real tough MP games is rather limited.

But a human opponent is, simply put, *much* smarter. He doesn't build unecessary units, bad wonders or places his cities messily. He is way smarter politically and tend to be more prepared for your moves, or at least able to better meet them.