[BTS] Play the Map and Civilization (PTMaC) Part 2. Mastering Prince

[Htadus]

Play the Map and Civilization (PTMaC) Part 2. Mastering Prince
This Prince level walkthrough will focus on helping players from Settler through Prince Difficulty levels. The emphasis is to choose the path to victory by using the available land and adapting the game as map knowledge is gain. I have yet to lose a game while playing the map up to Immortal.

For simplicity the game will be broken into several Phases.

Phase 1: Capital and initial techs, builds and exploration. (Turn 0 to about Turn 35+-)

Spoiler:

Settling the capital.
Food is king and I hope you have at least 1 good (5-6 food) tile. Move the starting nonsettler unit to see more of the land before settling. Then found the capital.

Start a worker. You cannot get the lost worker turns back. We start the game losing 10-15 turns of worker turns.
After the worker is built, allow the capital to grow while building warriors for fog busting and city garrison. 2-3 is normal before 1st settler.

Techs. Learn techs that will allow the worker to improve the capital BFC. Often heading to BW is good since you will know where copper is located; chopping become available and can switch to slavery.

Explore the area around the capital for potential second city. So use defensive terrain as much as possible when exploring with the initial unit to keep him alive.

By the time when you start building the first settler, it is time to stop the play and determine where to place the second city. Use Alt-x feature (in Buffy at least) to create a dot map. Determining the second city site will allow you to send a warrior to spawn bust the area and allow the settler to get to the city site with minimal escort.

BTW, if the capital is not fully grown to its max happy size it is not a big deal, the early second city founded close to the Capital will increase the science by 2 bpt immediately via trade routes if the cities are connected by road or the Capitals culture. The new city center commerce will offset the -1gpt maintenance.

Phase 2: Peaceful Expansion (Until available good land is taken or Science slider drop to about 30%).

Locate and settle your first city between T30-40. Hopefully the cities are connected via road or culture. I have observed that even before the knowledge of Sailing, cities that are connected by rivers will establish trade routes as long as the cities are connected via culture boundary.

Spoiler:

Founding Cities (Some fanatics call this “Horizontal Expansion”)
After the settler is complete build another worker. Then let the capital grow to happy max (or beyond if slavery is available and intend to use the whip) start building settler/worker/warrior (or axes by then). Some players call letting cities grow in population “Vertical Expansion”.

The second city should build a monument or a warrior first and then if available a granary followed by whatever you need to help the expansion process. If the city has out grown available improved tiles, then it is a good idea to build a worker here also.

Continue expansion till sustainable science is down to about 20-40%. At first this seem wrong, but as cottages in the capital is maturing and economic techs (Alpha, CoL and Currency) are being learned, the Empire will recover.

In regards to city placement,

• Keep in mind that overlapping cities is a good practice.
• Always try to claim sites with food in inner 9 tiles of the city but do not discount food in outer BFC. Particularly if creative or has access to build a Monument.
• When possible, Always found a blocking city to force an AI to go away from you.

My preferred expansion is to get to 3 cities as soon as possible and start on a choice wonder; The Oracle usually.

Tech path.
Tech toward getting all needed early techs to improve the tiles around. But keep in mind that Prince and lower AI will only have few trade options and therefore learn only the techs that you must have for immediate benefits. This is again very Map Dependant and then head to Alphabet and trade for what you want. Plan to learn CoL and Currency by 0 AD.

My preferred tech path for Emperor and below is to learn alphabet and then currency. If there are many forests to chop or using the whip, then learning Math before Alphabet and currency is better. I hold back on trades until currency is done and get some gold in the process of trading.

The Empire should have about 7-11 cities by the end of this Peaceful Expansion Phase depending on the map.
Things to Consider:

• Assigning a worker (and possibly with a warrior attached for protection) to build a road to the nearest AI city for better trade gold output.
• If planning for war start building roads to the target Civ and specific cities.
• Remember to keep you power level to about 1.5x average to avoid getting DoWed. 2 x averages is better.

It is time to determine what kind of game you are playing. For all but a traditional culture game, the next phase is inevitably war unless you are happy with just 7-11 cities and heading to UN or slow path to Space Colony. So it is time to build an offensive army and hopefully you know construction and can build cats.

Phase 3: Forceful Expansion; aka War Mongering.

First thing to do is to select an opponent. I like to takeout someone that will be a monster soon or a lunatic that will give trouble soon. Hopefully the AI shares borders with you but that is not a requirement. At this level, typical AI has about 5-6 cities with about 2 defenders in each and almost no stack of doom (around 0 AD). Monti and similar character may have a stack and already warring. So always keep an eye out for known troublemakers. OB with the AI and send couple of chariots/scouts/warriors on recon learn about the units the AI have.

Spoiler:

Typical attack force:

• 3 promotable cats per city intend to capture
• 6 Attack units per city. You won’t need that many but better one extra than one too few.
• Include a spear and about 2 axes per group.

Multiple Stacks
Multiple stacks confuse AI and they have a hard time determining where to defend. As a result the cities does not get numerous defenders.
So put together 2 or 3 teams and move them near the target cities. Preferably just before Declaring war to avoid AI from seeing your stack and build defensive units.
Declare and move in using defensive tiles when possible. Place your stack to avoid crossing rivers during actual attack. Do not promote units before attacking. The reason for waiting to promote the unit until just before using is that it allows healing if damaged during movement and get to choose the right promotion based on the defender.

City capture Strategy suggestion

• For most cities protected by Archers/Spears/Axes/Swords, use no more than 2 cats for direct attack for every 4 defenders and use the remaining cats for culture bombardment first.
• Give CR promotion to the first Cat and attack. This will damage the main defender the most.
• Next use a collateral damage promoted cats and attack. This will damage the remaining defenders the most.
• Follow up with attack units. You should have 3 cities within 2-4 turns of war.
• If the losses are great, heal units in the captured city.
• If the losses are minor and you still have about 3-6 healthy cats, create 1 or 2 groups and send to next target cities.

Rinse and repeat as needed and keep up supplying units to the front to replenish losses.
Stop the war once your objective is achieved or if the AI will take peace and about to counter with a sizable force. Why loose a city that you captured?

If hasn't done already, now it is time to determine how you want to win this game. If it is a war game and the map is a land map, and you know the three critical techs: Alphabet, CoL and Currency, then the game is pretty much done technologically. All you need is units for taking cities and workers to road to AI's and basic improvements. So you can turn off science and start gathering gold and go warring. This work really well with special UU like Preats, WC, Immortals, Phalanx and Hawach's. If I missed one, it was not intended. If the objective is a peaceful game or need Astronomy, then it is time to recover from financial collapse.

Phase 4: Post War Recovery.

Spoiler:

• Build Courthouse.
• Connect cities
• Build Libraries in cities that can run scientists and/or high commerce.
• Build Markets in cities that can run merchants and or high commerce.
• Build Forges in cities that can work hammer tiles.

Then preferably work tiles that will give 4, 8, 12, 16 hpt.... etc to get the most out of the forge. But it really does not matter. These cities can build wealth or bulbs as needed.
Build units to stay powerful as needed.
Learn techs to get critical techs to develop the map and to the Victory selected.
Have fun winning.

Phase 5 and beyond: Do what is needed to win.

Spoiler:

You may need a war or two, here and there, to make the game easier to manage. If you see an AI getting little out of hand, it is up to you to go spank him/her. You may want to help a weak AI who is your friend against a large menace or take him Vassal. Only the game and map will set this condition. Have fun Playing the Map.

On to the Game
This game will be a random leader, shuffle type map using HoF Buffy Mod.
Here are the settings.

Spoiler:

The random leader is

Spoiler:

Monti ... so I won't meet the loony today, too bad.

He is a decent leader and has one of my favorite attributes, Spiritual. Agressiveis not bad either.
Very good UB; Sacrificial Alter and a so so UU. I guess I am going to have to whip in this game.

The start is...

Spoiler:

Humm. Ok this is not the first start. The first start had a sheep on a plains hill and rest forests. No thank you. I want food. So on 4th regeneration, I got this. This is good enough. I am already sure that I am going to settle on the PH wine for extra hammer and commerce.

Will be back with first set.

[Htadus]

PtMaC 2- Prince

Phase 1

Moved the scout to see if there is anything to East that will be missed by moving to the PH wine. See nothing important to east the Settler run to the PH wine.

There is coast to the west and pray there are no sea food there. Found the Capital on hill. Start worker and learning Agriculture.

Spoiler:

Ok we got a useful happiness resource in Ivory. . Also has 4 FP's=4 extra food but just 1 unhealth. Very nice.

I want to build a few cottages early, so after aggriculture, the tech path will hear to Pottary. Mean while the scout will explore the land to find a site for the second city.

After completing the worker, the capital built 2 warriors and the worker promptly farmed the wheat and 1 flood plain tile and will improve the ivory next.

30 turns went by very fast and at the end of it, here us what was discoverd.

Spoiler:

The scout soon found that there is an AI; Holy Roman Emperror nearby to the north and decent land around us. I am not going to rush him, however will block him to the north and let him build a coastal city to west. Also met Bizmarc. He, I do not trust.

The capital.

Spoiler:

Tech Picture

Spoiler:

Info Screen

Spoiler:

After the current worker is done, the capital will build a settler to place a blocking city to the north claiming sheep and deer. This city will also build the Oracle. Below is the preliminary dot maps.

Spoiler:

Will be back with the plan for next set.

If anyone is going to shadow this, please use spoilers. Thank you.

[i_imperator]

Nice, pretty good idea to help out the lower level players, and this is probably the setup i should've done for my toku game. Even though i'm a emperor player i may shadow this if i have the time. If you dont mind. Some comparison saves with another higher level player might help people learn and observe (and it may even help me learn something )

Is there a link for part one by the way?

[Htadus]

Originally Posted by i_imperator

Nice, pretty good idea to help out the lower level players, and this is probably the setup i should've done for my toku game. Even though i'm a emperor player i may shadow this if i have the time. If you dont mind. Please do, I do not mind at all. There is always the opportunity for me to learn something different.Some comparison saves with another higher level player might help people learn and observe (and it may even help me learn something )

Is there a link for part one by the way?

Part 1 was a walkthrough of a Noble game that I am not too proud of due to writing it poorly. Here is the link for that game.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=456927

[Htadus]

Phase 2 Plan.

This is expansion and claiming a chunk of land for the new empire. The dot map help me plan how to proceed.

First priority is to claim the red dot city. This will be what I call a found and forget city. The reason I call it is that I will use this city to build the wonders I want. Of course it will not be forgotton but it let me enjoy the builder side of my personality. But before that I will use the Red Dot as a production city. As you can see this city will have food to grow and hammers to build anything we can start at this level. This city will only need a road on the wheat tile to be connected to the capital. Only thing is that I should have my settler already done to safely claim it. But it should not be early for Prince.

Second priority is to determine which of the yellow dot or blue dot (gold) city to claim as the 3rd city.

• If the Gold city is close to German Empire, then that will be the priority. That city will be a hybrid city with all that hammers, gold and FP's.
• If German Empire is far away, I would want to settle the closer yellow dot city. It can help capital grow its cottages when needed and as well as being a cottage city on its own.

Technologically, this map begs for Forges (2 happy with gold and gems), Animal Husbandry for what is already visible and hidden horses and obviously BW. I have yet to play a map that did not need BW, have you? Question is can we delay any of these tech and use what we already know? Should we risk heading to Alphbet after BW? Then decide if the Oracle> MC is possible. Right now it seem a good path to take. We can determine how to proceed after learning BW.

Worker: After ivory, he will be busy building a road on What and then a few cottages for capital. Second worker after settler will help with more of the same and a camp.

[Htadus]

PtMac2-Prince
Phase 2-Set 1

Continued the game till BW is learned. Prior to this the second city was founded to north.

Spoiler:

Looking at the Demographic screen, we are doing well in the 3 most important catagoiries. Number 2 in GNP (gold) and 3rd in Mfg (hammers) and food. Not bad but should get to number 1 in all three soon.



Our capital is a little behind others in population and fixing that will help catch up on the demographic scene



Finally the settler is out.



And what is this, the computer is recommending a different spot than where I wanted to settle on? It will give me 3 more river tiles. Humm. I am liking it.

The science gains from the second city was not available since the change in city placement was last minute and the new city will not be connected immidiately.

Spoiler:

Founded the second city but it is not connected but I will let the worker finish the cottage for capital before heading to connect the cities. New city need a Monument and starts one. I had to manually assign the wheat tile back to the capital by opening the capital screen and assigning a pop to work it. The game automatically assign the food tile to the new city as typical. Micro manage the cities and workers in the early game more often. Workers are always managed by me.

The science number jumped up but at a deficit.



Adjusting science to 90% yield us 14 bpt as it was on T32. Had the cities been connected the number would be 16 bpt. BTW this is a good time to do binary research but I am not very attentive some times, so I will let the game control that feature for now.

The capital did not start on the second worker. Instead it started on MP warriors. 2 of them. One headed out to fog bust and the other stayed in the capital.

When the set ended on T38 this is all we know about the land. The poor scout has been attacked 3 times so far and that limited the exploration.

Spoiler:

We find copper but it is not our . No big deal yet. That may be a problem but we shall see.



The land to South.



The land to North



Worker on the hill to connect the city 2 and then go and build a farm for city 2. Then he will build a mine on that PH.

Information on the empire at turn 38.

Spoiler:

I guess Biz has a little liking toward HRE but HRE has no special feelings toward Biz.



It seem there is at least 1 financial AI in the game. But we are doing well in manufacturing and getting better at food. We are number 3 in military with 3 warriors. Number 3 is just a coincidence me think.


Well it seem our northern friends do not have enough food or have been building a settler. The other capitals are growing well.

Cool thing about being Spirtual is No Anarchy. We just switch civics to Slavery.

The plan is to explore more and determine where the city 3 is going to be founded. I prefer the closer city to the SE of the Capital but we amy have to claim the gold city. The fact that this map have all 3 precious metal make a forge a must in every city.

Writing is a place holder for the moment but it is a good tech to know since I want an early Academy in the capital. After that where to head is going to be dictated by what we find in the fog.

Att his level the warriors can take care of the barbs by mainly spawn busting but I would feel better with horses or copper in the fog. The options are get AH, Alphabet or IW aftr writing.

Capital will grow to size 6 and build the second worker slowly and whip a settler as soon as possible afterwards. Then it will build a Library and grow to 2 red faces and whip a settler. Second city will be building warriors for MP and fog busting while growing.

[cbucks]

In my opinion binary research is best used right after you discover writing. You shut down research, build libraries in cap and another city, then crank research back up again.

The benefits are twofold: 1) the gold you saved by shutting down research is run through the library amplifier and is worth more than it was before.
2) you can decide what tech you are going to research based off what the a.I. does, I.e., aesthetics or alpha. Since this is prince however, you will have to research alpha anyway.

[Htadus]

Originally Posted by cbucks

In my opinion binary research is best used right after you discover writing. You shut down research, build libraries in cap and another city, then crank research back up again. yup, absolutely agree. But what I was refering to is to turn of science for 1 turn and then turing on 100% next turn. 1 turn should give 15 gold net next turn and during next 15 turns the return is additional 30 bulbs at -1gpt at 100% science. 30 gold seem like nothing but that is 1/4 of a 120 bulb tech. Not bad for a true micro manager.

The benefits are twofold: 1) the gold you saved by shutting down research is run through the library amplifier and is worth more than it was before.
2) you can decide what tech you are going to research based off what the a.I. does, I.e., aesthetics or alpha. Since this is prince however, you will have to research alpha anyway.

Yeah, that is what got me thinking of Alpha after writing and also may get to trade for a few missing techs.

[cbucks]

The AI on prince will take FOREVER to get to alpha, you will have to self tech it

[Htadus]

Alpha it is.

[Htadus]

PtMaC P2 - Prince

Phase2 set2

Picked up where left off and continued learning writing with the plan to learn Alphabet next. And then this happend

Spoiler:

Well that was a falls alarm. AI are not that evil.

Capital and next builds.

Spoiler:

The capital grew to size 6 while building Granary and then whiped a settler for 3 pop. I want that second cottage city to start asap.


The overflow was put into a worker and on next turn start a Library to let city grow. Once it grow to happy max switched to worker and completed it and then back to finish the Library. I have been doing binary research by turning off slider for 1 turn and resetting it 100% for the next dozen or turns. Because I wanted to learn Alpha asap, I am not able to save gold to maximize the gains from the Library's 25% boost. This is quite common occurance for me.

We learned Alpha on turn 64.

Spoiler:

But before making any trades looked at the AI prefered civic screen and determined that Suli would be the easiest to make friends since he likes HR and he is also located a distance away from us.



So he got the first trade. This was followed with a trade to Biz to learn AH.

And there are horses

Spoiler:

But it is not near us. Civilization hates meeeee

Here is the tech situation at the end of that turn and some the status of the Empire.

Spoiler:

As you can see we are taking a lead in the Demographic tables as expected.

So now it seem that there is a chance to build the Oracle to learn MC for free since no one on we know have the knowlege of Priesthood. This map is quite favorable for Forge enhansed happiness. But first lets claim that gold. For this the capital is allowed to grow to size 8 and whip a settler for 3 pop. But HRE has other ideas for the gold.

Spoiler:

He was sending a settler to calim the gold but we got there just a turn before. A worker was send there in advanced and was ready to build a pasture on the sheep.

Ended this set on Turn 75 (1000 BC) and about 4 turns from finishing the Oracle. Here is more data on the empire at 1000 BC.

Spoiler:

AI have started to build a few units and so have Monti. Archers for now.


GW and SH are gone and no real loss there. Soon we can use the spiritual trait to run an artist to expand the city radius but most of the current cities will get a library after the Granary.



As expected we are comfortably ahead of AI. The next stop after Math will be currency. Then I have a sneaky feeling we will need cats.


We are learning at a 44 bpt for -8 gpt and can sutain at 80% slide for 35 bpt and -1 gpt. This is good so far.

After the capital finish the settler, it will hire 2 scientist and start on a Rax slowly working mainly cottages untill it can build a Forge. Forge will be done before the Rax.

The Oracle is done in 4 turns and the I will set that city on food emphisis and it will go on a whipping cycle to help expansion efforts. But its next build will be a forge, rax and units. The workers will be done with the pasture and camp soon.

Second cottage site is building an archer and will get a Forge and a Library next. Then it will do minor unit supply while working cottages mainly.

The gold city is building a monument and follow that with a Granary and a forge. This will be the second production city.

Next city will either claim the copper to the east on the desert or the horses. Since I am partial to copper, I have a feeling that is where the 5th city is heading. I see stone near that copper too . Time to start roads.

Playing the Map

• So far this map allowed us to head to Alpha after learning minimal techs and trade for most of the other desirable. Cottages, farms, mines and camps were enough earlier.
• We blocked the nearest Ai from getting good city sites.
• We are heading to Rex instead of rushing an AI with a crappy capital since there are much better land to peacefully aquire.
• We are going to make friends with Sulie and slowly will only trade with him.
• We will prioritize Forges to get the most out of the available resources.
• After Currency, even before construction, we are heading to CoL for our very usefull UB.

EDIT: Added the save.

[Killroyan]

Great serie. Enjoying the read. Keep it up.

[obsolete]

Haven't been around since last year, thought I'd pop in and try to relax a bit...

I had some problems early in that the AI's were too damn slow teching, so I genocided the entire continent before anyone got close to alphabet. And then... I decided to sit back and just experiment for a bit...

Victim #1

Spoiler:

Victim #2

Spoiler:

Victim #3

Spoiler:

Whoops, stupid image didn't save...

Victim #4

Spoiler:

Liberalism

Spoiler:

At this point... I decided to just sit back, and see how much pounding the other two guys could take with nukes until they were willing to capit.

Domination...

Spoiler:

Well, someone finally blinked.


Not much else to say, didn't really micro manage-much, and I decided to goof-off by building a bunch of shrines. Had at least 4 of them... for kicks.

Oh yes, and one more thing.... looks like I forgot to build cottages again!

[Htadus]

Thanks Killroyan

@ Obsolete

Here I am changing my mind about what to get from the Oracle. You are telling me you haven't build a single cottage. Well....

I am not surprised having read your games from the past.

So I guess I could take this opportunity to show how superior cottage economy is
.. sorry just causing problems.

But seriously, thank you for showing how a true warmonger deal with the map. I am sure new players will appreciate. Welcome back btw.

[Pangaea]

Originally Posted by obsolete

Liberalism

Spoiler:

Libbing Flight?

[obsolete]

Well, I was going to use Liberalism for something more expensive, but I gave the purple guy too many free techs all game (just so he could stay alive). So eventually suddenly he decides to try and take my liberalism from me after all that.... nice guy. Naturally I couldn't stall anymore after that.

[Htadus]

Regarding Lib, when I was into space games I learned that early Lib to get astro is better than late hugher tech because at midgame the expensive techs are taking about 15 -20 turns and by the time I get to expensive techs such as Industrialism or bigger, number of turns are around 7-10 turns.

Ok, back to the game. Looking at the map, I realize I need to speed up the expansion and aim to get CS from the Oracle and tech Calander sooner than later. I may ignore Lit altogather.....for the moment.

[Htadus]

PtMaC P2 - Prince

Phase2 set3

Started the continuation of this game with a few goals.

• Complete the Oracle to get Civil Service.
• Allowing the capital to grow to max happy and run a few scienctists for the Academy,
• Expand to about 9 cities total by 0AD,
• Claim copper, horses, gems and several plantation resources, specailly Dye.
• Build a few defensive units, and
• Explore more.

Oracle run and Misc.

When I realized that none of the Ai had PH, I decided to head to CoL after Math and plan to get CS from the Oracle. The plan is to wait untill 1 turn is left to finish the Oracle and start on other build and complete the Oracle to coincide with the CoL completion date.

Spoiler:

First thing that happened was this



and with several of his axes and swords near Aztec border and we still having only a small defense force, we excepted the invitation Just for 2 cities. Glad i am Spiritual today.


And then I almost forgot to add a intermediate build after the worker was done to delay the Oracle, but I saw it.



So finally CoL and the Oracle was done.



Too bad I forgot to document the Science boost from the Burocracy. But we just saved about 20+ turns.

Next came currency and a few tech trades.

Spoiler:

After this tech trade to HRE, got IW from Sulie (I think)



Now we can build the Mighty Jaguars. Wimps compared to an aztec axe (when there are no chariots)

500 BC

Spoiler:

The empire reached 500 BC without any major incidents. The most significant thing that happened was that we founded 2 cities to claim the copper (and stone) and Horses. Also we have gold connected and are planing to use the Casts System Civic. That is when I remembered that I could use an Artist to pop the borders, So I cancelled the monument and selected a Granary.

Reminders
Buffy gives you the option to use reminder feature using ALT + m button. Here is a use.

Spoiler:

Old folks like me need this...come to think of it, I could have used this when I was 18 . lol

Run to AD's

Poor Nurenberg under Oracle influance .

Spoiler:

So far I have been focused on the expansion and ignored the GS for an Academy, but that will be adressed now. Also learn more techs.

Spoiler:

Hiring 4 scientists to get the GS asap. 0 to 100 gpp in 9 turns.



MC done and Calander next



Then a few turns later got more serious. On the 4th turn, I will assign some of the scientists back to work cottages to prevent civilian deaths.



As promised, no deaths


And finally a little later we got a GS and a nice jump in science.



But before that.....see the mighty jaguars in action.

Jaguars...or are these house cats .

Spoiler:

So first, there was a barb city nearby and it grew to size 4 but was placed on a location I did not want my gem city, so I razed it and founded this city and this barb archer was harrasing. So I send this jaguar to take care of the buisness before going and capturing another Barb city.



And this happened to him facing a none promoted barb archer.



jaguars...really?...kitty cats most likely.

More trades for deficit research and new techs.

Spoiler:

After building the Academy, realized that Calander can be learned in one turn with some gold. So did some trades ......




Hanny trying to cause trouble,,

Before the end of BC's got these trade chances for some gold.

Spoiler:

Please build some CH's. Thank you.

[Htadus]

PtMaC P2 - Prince

Phase2 set3 cont

AD's finally and here is the status of the Empire.

Spoiler:

[Htadus]

Originally Posted by Htadus

Started the continuation of this game with a few goals.

• Complete the Oracle to get Civil Service.
• Allowing the capital to grow to max happy and run a few scienctists for the Academy,
• Expand to about 9 cities total by 0AD,
• Claim copper, horses, gems and several plantation resources, specailly Dye.
• Build a few defensive units, and
• Explore more.

PtMaC P2 - Prince

Phase2 Post Mortem
Reviewing the above list I was able to achieve all but expanding to 9 cities. It is a number that I have found to be a good gauge of the game. Typically I would have founded a city that would eventually become my GP farm and in the early game help out with expanstion and also I did not chop more than 1 settler and 1 worker during this game. So as a result I did not meet my own expectations. But we have both copper and Horses connected and will found another city to south of Capital and claim Iron. However, the peaceful expansion is over.

Phase 3: Wars
I am aiming to make this game a true Montisuma Game. So the drums of War will be sounded through out the Empire. Many of the cities has forest left for this very purpose. Once Machinary is learned in 4 to 5 turns, all cities will start on Maces. By then, HRE will have learned Construction. Around turn 30+, I invested all the espionage points toward HRE hoping to steal a tech from him. Now in 4-5 turns we can steal Construction from him. And he will be the first target. I do not want to leave my flanks open to him when I take the army east.

Target 1 is HRE and then Hanny followed by Biz and Sulie. I intend to have two stacks of cats and maces mainly go after HRE's capital and the iron city NW of our capital. Then leave him alone(maybe) and move the forces toward Hannibel on the 5th turn of the war. I intend to have both of the target cities by turn 4 of the war. Intend to sacrifice 2-3 cats per city maximum. First GG will be a super healer.

Hope i find some time tonight to play.