In my opinion civ is a game of snowballing effects. Getting something a turn earlier may mean getting it ten turns earlier later on. So early game success to me IS late game success. This is why purchasing universities is so strong. Get them techs faster which get other things faster. Etc. For me this is the foundation of NC arguments. How much infrastructure is it worth delaying the national college by? 3 cities? 4?
Agreed, though some would argue to go down commerce right side rather than put 3 more policies into liberty. Im undecided on post-secularism policies. Id be interested to hear more opinions. Also how many policies people normally have 'spare' before ideologies hit and the freedom order debate.
In terms of domination this strategy does work well. It allows you to get NC out the way early and frees up hammers that might otherwise be spent on settlers if you normally go tradition. This extra build time it frees up can be spent on composites for a turn 80 rush of a capital, maybe even two. Then its time to turtle down until XBs, but with some nice promotions already tucked away, your in a nice position for your XB rush. Come dynamite youve got several armies heading in all directions.
