Ottomans v Mongols?

[jm4civ4]

Welcome all who care to join in.

Its a monarch game at marathon speed on a small hemispheres map using BTS3.13 and HOF mod 3.13. Here are all the settings.

Spoiler:

We are playing Suleiman of the Ottomans (Phi & Imp) from 1840AD, there are 641 turns left. Things are not too awfully bad, but I don't see how to win this one. For a detailed back story please read "Sully Seeks Sovereignity" in the Stories and Tales forum. The story ended at 1824AD.

Spoiler:

My impatience caused me to play another 16 years up to 1840AD, and that is the starting point for this thread. Of course, I welcome any critiques of events prior. I have made many already, which are that I should have:
1) built more cities earlier
2) made a GProphet(s) to build shrine in the three(!!) holy cities I own
3) spread my religions further, esp. Buddism which is the fave of Kubli Khan and Suryavarman.

While looking around at 1824 I was out-teched and facing a more powerful opponent. We are separated by water so alot of ships would be needed, which means alot of building. And I still have to research Flight and advanced units techs, which means time to do all that. Hmm! Can it be done?

On a whim, I decided to invest in Espionage. So in the 16 years that followed here's what happened:
-maximized spys vs scientists
-began developing Apache, Konya, Ankara as production centers for units and boats, with Edirne and Diyarkabir that gives 5 hammer heavy cities, perhaps too many
-settled another city south of Apache
-got HostTake quest for Sid's Sushi, I am considering ignoring this one, I don't remember the reward being so great last time, but mainly I have more pressing matters
-1827 revolted into Nationhood, Slavery, Pacifism
-1832 whipped several Int.Agen., Jails, Forges, DryDocks, etc
-1837 revolted into Emanicipation
-1840 getting 558 EP per turn with EP and SCI sliders both at 20% and regrowing the peeps

Here are my thoughts and questions. I'd like to actually win this game but a time victory is just as good.
-Cultural seems too late, I have few wonders
-Con. ?
-Dom. ?
-Diplo. not a chance!
-Relig. see Diplo.
-Space ?

Mongols are very strong and growing still. I think the best wat to stay alive is to knock them back....later...when I can. I think they'd beat me to space. I'd like to continue giving the Dutch lands to Peter but Willy and Kubli are friends.

1.) Willy is weakest but has a def.pact with Mongols. I am roughly 40K EP behind either one, slightly closer to Willy. And I am an Esp. noob.
2.) Would you spend EPs on Willy, trying to steal his techs?
3.) Or spend EPs on Mongols for the later war?
4.) I was thinking of buliding up for Mongols then sabotaging their lands, maybe spreading culture to the island close to Edirne, etc, as I prepare to invade Mongolia.
5.) Generating EPs causes a decline in research rate. Am I better off to max. beakers to get those techs and store up EPs for a later war? Versus maximizing EPs at the expense of reserach.
6.) The AP is in Judea, Survy and I are in Judea, and all civs have Judea. I have the Budd. holy city which is the preferred religion of Survy and Kubli. But I failed to spread it earlier. Kubli had been Hindu prior to Free Religion.
7.) When civs are running Free Religion does their last state relgion have any bearing on diplomacy?
8.) Asked another way, "What can I do to manipulate diplomacy through religion?"

Here is the latest AP vote. I am safe from a loss for the time being....

Spoiler:

Please take a look at the save and offer suggestions.

Thanks in advance to all.

[Artichoker]

It looks like a lot of the Mongol cities have Mining, Inc., which boosts production of either military or spaceship parts for Mongolia.

If you can achieve Friendly status with Mongolia (probably a longshot), you might have a shot at conquering non-Mongolian lands in hopes of a domination win. Considering that the game is on marathon speed, this seems within reach...provided that Mongolia doesn't attack you (that's why you'll need Friendly status).

Otherwise, the safest bet is to attack Mongolia. It will be difficult because of the production boost from Mining, Inc. On the other hand, you may still have a chance if you concentrate your attack on critical cities that are more vulnerable, but economically important.

[jm4civ4]

Hey all you civ4 experts....does anyone have any good ideas on winning this map?

[Gooblah]

1) Take Choybatan;it has Mining Inc and will get the production bonuses.
2) use Choybatan or another coastal production city to build a navy
3) Build Carriers and Fighters. Bombers should wait until you have a city to station them in.
4) Load Transports with Marines (preferable), Artillery and Tanks. Use Fighters to soften up troops, Artillery to soften them up more (with high death rate), or Tanks if you're bored. Wrap up with Marines.

[jm4civ4]

Originally Posted by Gooblah

1) Take Choybatan;it has Mining Inc and will get the production bonuses.
2) use Choybatan or another coastal production city to build a navy
3) Build Carriers and Fighters. Bombers should wait until you have a city to station them in.
4) Load Transports with Marines (preferable), Artillery and Tanks. Use Fighters to soften up troops, Artillery to soften them up more (with high death rate), or Tanks if you're bored. Wrap up with Marines.

Many thanks Gooblah.....you ideas are same as my thouhts. Just hope there is enough time!

[CivCorpse]

I don't have the HoF mod (or even want it) so i can't open the save. But from what i have read you either want to stay friendly with Khan and expand elsewhere or attack Khan. If you can take the Corporate headquaters from him you will crash his economy or force him into SP. This gives him the 10% hammer bonus but that is less than he is getting from Mining Inc. If the Headquarters is not in a place you can reasonably keep it, then raze it.