Help on Empire (was it a lvl)???

[American Idol]

Hello,

Empire was the lvl higher than monarch. correct? I am at work so cant check it.

Anyways. I have tried to play it now from 4000 BC to 500-1000AD many times.
I always fall behind a bit by bit compared to AI. My best at points at 1000 AD is 4th out of 7.
I have tried different approaches with wisdom, and always try to think which discovery would help me most. Most times i try get religion and then try fast get monarchy. Still trying to discover most vital worker improvements and slavery.

I have tried different approaches with first town and still fall behind.
Now start this way (most times):
-build warrior untill town reaches 2, change to worker.
-continue building warrior untill town 3 / build warrior and start building wonder/ sometimes settler (dependant)
-when town is 3 I build settler

towns in general:
I always fall behind in towns. This is since I cant keep the economy at good level enough to expand. If I expand too fast I fall behind with wisdom faster.

Wonders:
try to make oracle to discover monarchy fast.
Some other wonders when possible.

Power:
Man how hard i fall behind here, since I try to put all effort on city improvemtns / science / economy. Trying to avoid all wars, when other leaders try to get me in war with their enemies. This way i make them cautious against me, and latest 1000 AD im in war with someone so much bigger than me.

Around year 0 the gap between me and AI normally expands, while I try hard keeping science at 100% (minimum 80%) and try expand nation according money situation.

Is war the right solution for me? expanding a lot taking money from pillaging?
I have played CIV II with Deity level easy win many times... now im struggling. Please give me some hints.

[DaveMcW]

Originally Posted by American Idol

while I try hard keeping science at 100% (minimum 80%) and try expand nation according money situation.

Don't keep 100% science! 50% is fine. Try to find a trading partner so you don't have to research everything yourself.

Keep building cities as long as they can pay their own upkeep. Build lots of cottages.

[Galileo44]

And don't be afraid when you fall behind. With trading, lightbulbing, and maturing cottages, your economy will be continually getting better. Courthouses from CoL are helpful for expansion. One or two wars of expansion are usually helpful. Don't be scared by the power graph. You can easily beat and AI with twice or three times you power using good strategy, like lots of catapults for city captures.

[Breunor]

And don't despair. When youget your economy moving, you can catch up VERY fast. Stick to your plan!

Best wishes,

Breunor

PS I'm a case of 'Do what I say and not what I do. :-)

[American Idol]

after multiple games in 2 weeks I was able finally to win on emperor

thx for advices