Early harassment, am I doing something wrong?

cFccFc

Warlord
Joined
Jun 20, 2006
Messages
297
So after reading these deity challenges, I thought I would apply the same strategy as was discussed there in my modest emperor games. The strategy is basically to snatch early workers/settlers of close enemies to prevent them from progressing and not having to spend much time on building workers yourself. However this is not working very well. First of all, science, within 50 turns (epic), the other civilizations have managed to scoop up around 4-8 sciences, I only have 4. Second, I attempted this against Germany, but there is absolutely no way I can build as fast as him, I had two worriers and a scout ready to kills the escorted settler, but that did not work out as he moved the settler around so that it is always protected by other warriors, which he moved up really fast. As I have to attack in forest and hills, i stand no chance in this battle.

Do I have to go Honor straight away (I went tradition) to stand a chance? Is there a specific build order? I built a shrine, which I think is quite important. Was that still wrong?

Any tips would be great!
 
Worker steals from AI civs are harder to execute below Immortal/Deity. On Deity, the AI starts with more units, but also has to cover 2 cities, so there is more opportunity to snatch an unaccompanied worker (or settler). Also, the Deity AI can more quickly produce workers and settlers, so there is simply more opportunity.

Germany can be more difficult, since they can build an army as they clear barb camps. The Emperor AI isn't as super-vigorous about clearing camps as the Deity AI in general, but the Germany Ai at any level will tend to focus on that.

EDIT: Agree that early archery is really helpful for worker steals, but best is if your scout pops an upgrade.
 
You dont want to steal if the worker has friendlies with him. It is also easier to steal with spearman imo. Spears could take two or three hits before runnin to safety. If you want to steal with scout you need to make sure there are no units around that will kill your scout and recapture your steal. Run away after your scout stole. A city wont bombard worker but would bombard your scout.

Browd has good point on immortal the AI has fewer worker to steal so it is harder to do. Stealing from closest neighboor is a must imo in deity. Losing two workers for AI dwarf their growth enough to make them the weakest ai in the game so that they wont be too strong when they decide to take on you later

Commit to stealing before turn 30. The earlier the better. You want to make peace asap after you steal two workers.
 
On emp/immortal I build a worker. It takes too long to get one reliably. I would rather have that lux up and sold asap that waiting on a captured worker to get back or the risk of failing/dying.
 
You dont want to steal if the worker has friendlies with him. It is also easier to steal with spearman imo. Spears could take two or three hits before runnin to safety. If you want to steal with scout you need to make sure there are no units around that will kill your scout and recapture your steal. Run away after your scout stole. A city wont bombard worker but would bombard your scout.

Browd has good point on immortal the AI has fewer worker to steal so it is harder to do. Stealing from closest neighboor is a must imo in deity. Losing two workers for AI dwarf their growth enough to make them the weakest ai in the game so that they wont be too strong when they decide to take on you later

Commit to stealing before turn 30. The earlier the better. You want to make peace asap after you steal two workers.

Worker farming a CS can only be done with a scout or mounted unit, because the CS will never send a worker to a tile if it can see you are in range. The only way not to be seen is to hide behind forest/jungle/hills, which takes a scout to be able to cross in a single turn.

A spearman might be able to get the first worker, but it can never work for additional workers.

As far as not being able to reliably worker steal below immortal, that is true, but not entirely. You can't rely on it for your first worker, but I've never had a problem worker stealing/farming a CS after they start producing them. They are just delayed, but they are still worth stealing. You just have to produce your first one yourself.
 
I always avoid stealing from CS as

1. Diplo penalty is harsher imo i would get more DOW from AI civs if i ever DOW a CS especially if they have protector AI. There is like no diplo penalty DOWing AI civ for just stealing workers. Especially if another AI ask me early on to gangbang a civ nothing like getting one two free workers plus free gpt after a prolonged dow without doing anything but snatching those workers. You may even get a DOF bonus if the other civ still hasnt make peace.

2. Stealing AI civ workers weaken them considerably..i guess that is the point why deity tips always say worker steal is a must not just to save hammers but also to slow AI from having enough muscle to DOW you.
 
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