Currency Question

[Khan_The_Great]

Hey guys, I haven't been playing too long, but I'm having a problem with currency in the early game. So much of a problem that it cripples my research to a point of no return.

If I expand (even to 2 cities), my currency is rapidly depleted. If I don't expand, I am surrounded by 2-4 different countries who declare war on me. Seems like a lose-lose situation.

Is there any particular technique that some of you follow to keep the research up while still expanding early on?

Any tips and/or thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

[Anaztazioch]

1. Expand via conquer - it provides enough money to keep resarch up.

2. Build all possible wonders, but those that are not importand (i dinf Stonehenge less valuable since State of Zeus and pagan temples + new buidlings yet unreleased) try not to finish tme. Keep em at 1 turn from finish and build differant things in that city. Once AI will complete that wonder you will be rewarded in gold.

3. Pick technologies "better". With 3 cities i never have found my self in problems with resarch (expect for testing new techtree). Even on diety i have atleast 75% resarch at 3 cities.

4. Pick a civ or leader easier to play. Spain, America, China, Mongols, Japan are easy to play. Egypt is hard for 1st 20 turns, but once you are past 1st barbarian wave, its easy to be leading in technology. How ever they are low on late resources, as well as its production is low, so Egypt is great at begining.

5. Consider better civics (If available), or less army. You have to pay upkeep for both of em.

[Inverted]

But having 2 cities you will only lose a few golds max even on 100% research, unless you have a huge army. I usually find myself ceasing expansion when I have about 4-5 cities still most of them undeveloped.

(btw, I really hope you will alter the upkeep in BtS for oversees cities. 100ish gold upkeep for one city is just harsh...