Emperor Cookbooks. Toku (Japan)

Hey all. its been a while since i saw a emperor cookbook on here. Like most i am eager to improve my game at this level.

I know Chromium did the old cookbooks and I am in no way taking over his role.

I am yet to upgrade to BTS version 3.19 so this will be done on BTS version 3.17

Here goes. I have recycled Chroms old rules adapting for this leader.

The Emperor Cookbook is a concurrent succession game series to help readers learn how to play and win at Emperor level in Civilization 4: Beyond the Sword, v3.17

Some of you may be familiar with the previous Monarchist Cookbook games. We decided to raise the level of difficulty to Emperor. Because we are always playing from the best save, this difficulty should be approximately equal to Monarch level difficulty.

For more information or to discuss the format, please visit the Monarchist Cookbook Bullpen.

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This Emperor Cookbook game features Toku (Japan). We will be playing at Emperor difficulty, Epic, with a pangea a standard sized map. Huts and events are disabled for this game, as they tend to make things more random.

Here is the info on our leader, his unique unit and building as well as our starting position and settings:

Spoiler:

Our Fearless Leader:


UU:


UB:


Starting position for the huge map : (discontinued)


Starting position for standard map: Its a similar start to huge map so the first map was not used in vain!!!



Settings :

Pangea
Standard map
Medium sea level
No random events or huts!!

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Round one lasts from 4000 BC - 1500 BC.

Please play this Round and submit your Report into this thread by next Sunday (the 26th) if possible. (This date may change if its too soon)


IMPORTANT (changed): Please use spoilers if you want to discuss opening strategies prior to starting the round

At the end of your Round, please remember to name your save with your name, game and Round # & game date (i.e. "EC2 Round 1 MyName BC-1500.CivBeyondSwordSave"). (And please don't forget to attach it to your Round report, either! )

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Roster:

YOU! - contributor, voter - our most important fixture, the readers who follow the threads and play along.

Now that we have upped the difficulty level, we will return to the 'best ball' system of selecting and playing saves. What this essentially means is that after we have completed each round, everyone will have a chance to vote on which save is in the best position. The winning save will be used for the next round.

If there is any player who is strong at Emperor+ level, it would be great to have you post your saves to show us how it's done. However, I request that any of you who realize your round was far superior remove your save from the voting. This rule is intended to ensure that the game doesn't get into a overly strong winning position after only a few rounds (because what fun is that? ).

Voting Rules:

1. You may NOT vote on your own save (but you are encouraged to state the strengths and weaknesses of your save)
2. Only those who have posted a round may vote (those who are shadowing are always encouraged to express their opinion!)
3. Don't vote on a save that has voluntarily been removed from the running by the person who submitted it.
4. At the end of each round you can vote on 3 saves for first, second and third place. I believe that these votes should be made publicly in order to allow for as much discussion as possible. I strongly encourage you to explain why you are voting for a particular save. This is one of the best ways to learn, and that's what this game is all about! If you feel uncomfortable voting publicly, PM me with your vote.

After a couple days for voting and discussion a winner will be declared and we will move on to the next round.

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This map was first map the computer randomly generated.

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And with that, let the Game begin...

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Intrathread links (ToC): (note, the turn sets are subject to change, this is a tentative schedule to get this first round underway, we are still trying to find the best length for each round)

Round 0: The starting save (this post)
Round 1: 4000 BC - 1500 BC- Now playing!
Round 2: 1500 BC - 400 AD- upcoming
Round 3: 400 AD - 1100 AD- upcoming
Round 4: 1100 AD - 1500 AD - upcoming
Round 5: 1500 AD - 1700 AD - upcoming
Round 6: 1700 AD - 1820 AD - upcoming
Round 7: 1820 AD - 2050 AD - upcoming

Sure, I'll join/help. I am a fair to middling Emperor player. I too am running 3.17, due to the inner mysteries of Windows Vista.

Post a save and tell us how you want to proceed!

I will use the old rules that chrom had. Give me 20 mins to set up the actual save with a screenshot of start.

3.19 here but I'm an immortal player now and will probably watch from the sidelines...depending on time I could throw a save in now and then but it's useless to give 3.17 3.19 saves so we'll see how the other real participants pan out.

Took a decision and went with the old patch 3.17! I have updated thread with cookbook details now. The issues of patches was a tough call.

Hopefully the start will offset the leader chosen.

Remember to use spoilers if discussing strategies before the round is over.

I am playing emporer all the time now and can win with culture or an early neighbor knock out, but would like more practice.

Interesting start. The blank patch suggests a resource but you'd have to move off the river (and what look like flood plains) to get it in the BFC. But moving 1N does give you a plains hill to build your first WB.

I was asking myself one of these days where the Emperor series had gone. Good to have it back!
I run 3.19 but I'd like to play along, may I?

BTW I'm having an offline game as Toku just now and have just reached the draft. mwahahaha!!!!!!!

All are welcome.

I have just completed my round. It will be interesting to see what approach people take to the start.

I recently switched to Emp so I'm in as well. 3.17 is good for me.
Thanks for setting this up its timely for me.

Is this a huge map or standard?
My setting screen says huge.

To 1500 BC:

I think I'm going to give this a try. I just won my first Emperor game (to which I thank TMIT and his awesome "Let's Play" series on YouTube - somehow, seeing someone else play in real time put me over the hump.)

@ Gumbolt:

mc-red said:

Is this a huge map or standard?
My setting screen says huge.

Click to expand...

Ooops its huge. gggrrrrr. I thought it was standard.

What do you guys think-reroll?
Huge low sea level sound like a real slog.

slobberinbear said:

@ Gumbolt:

Spoiler :

Wow, big difference in our games. You did some great whipping there while preserving your forests. I went on a chopping spree and clear cut Kyoto to get out workers and settlers, only whipping occasionally.

Techwise, you are close to alphabet but I have hunting, archery, pottery, and (almost) sailing on you. I also have one more city. You are in a better position obviously to chop out a wonder (great lighthouse?), but I am concerned about your military position re: barbarians.

I will have to cottage up Kyoto or use it as a whipping base, now that my forests are gone; you have more flexibility there. I suppose I can crank out workers and settlers from other places. Anyway, nice round for you.

Click to expand...

mc-red said:

What do you guys think-reroll?
Huge low sea level sound like a real slog.

Click to expand...

The map size will have an impact on the game. Effectively it raises the level due to the map size. It will only really slow the game in the later stages. As its a pangea map the low sea level shouldnt be an issue.

I am happy to take an opinion after the first round if its a huge issue.

Ok sounds good.