Do you look around a little?

[superslug]

Okay, one thing that seems apparent in HOF attempts is that we all generate new maps for hours, sometimes days and even weeks before we find one we like. Now, it's well established that one advantage the human has over the AI is the ability to poke around a little bit and find a 'better' starting location. However, since we seem to blitz through maps, so I'm wondering do you all do this? Personally, I reject maps until I find one with a starting location I like and drop my settler to pop a city right then and there...

[Takeo]

i will move 1 tile, if my settler is standing on top of bonus food and the rest of the surrounding area looks good.

[superslug]

Good point, Takeo! I usually drop and pop where I stand, but under those circumstances, I would move the Settler. Another thing I do before generating a new map is moving the worker one tile, especially for higher ground.

[JimmyNeutron]

Somtimes if the surroundings look good enough I will look for one turn. But for the most part I usually plop and start.

[Moonsinger]

Ever since Aeson said it's ok to check mapstat for domination limit at the beginning of the game. My map selection is usually as follows:

1. If the domination limit is high enough, I will play no matter what.
2. If the domination is above the average and the starting location is good, I will play until around 2000 - 1000BC before I decide to keep or to reject it.
3. Immediate rejection if neither #1 or #2.

Back in the old day, I played blindly (if the starting possition was good ) and I didn't check for the domination limit until I after I have conquered more than half of the world. I think that Aeson have made it a lot easier for the HoF attempt.

[Mazarin]

my decision is pretty similar to Moonsinger's. In my current game, I actually moved the settler after the worker move revealed some food boni (or is it bonuses in English?)

[superslug]

It is bonuses. And what you and Moonsinger do sounds like good strategy, one that I'll hopefully rise to. I do fully realize that higher domination limits mean higher scores, but as my opening skill is still very lacking (compared to other HOF games) I've been more concerned with good starting locations immediately myself.

Oh, to be good enough to be choosy...

[Darkness]

Originally posted by Moonsinger
1. If the domination limit is high enough, I will play no matter what.
2. If the domination is above the average and the starting location is good, I will play until around 2000 - 1000BC before I decide to keep or to reject it.
3. Immediate rejection if neither #1 or #2.

Back in the old day, I played blindly (if the starting possition was good ) and I didn't check for the domination limit until I after I have conquered more than half of the world. I think that Aeson have made it a lot easier for the HoF attempt.

Same here!
That's why I probably will try an archipelago map after I've finished my current game, which will be halfway through 2004, by the pace it's currently going (2-3 turns an evening... )

[boogaboo]

If I go conquest, I never move, it's a waste of a turn.
If I (will) go for hist/score, then it is possible to "wander" a bit.

[EMan]

Originally posted by Moonsinger
Back in the old day, I played blindly (if the starting possition was good ) and I didn't check for the domination limit until I after I have conquered more than half of the world. I think that Aeson have made it a lot easier for the HoF attempt.

YOU should also give yourself a BIG pat on the back, Moonsinger.

YOUR new co-authored program with Dianthus (See signature) has saved us hours, superslug maybe days(!), in finding a suitably good starting position!!

On topic, I agree with ss 100%.....in fact I think EVERYBODY agrees with everybody else!

[superslug]

I have to agree with you EMan, I'm already generating maps for my next standard Monarch run even though I'm just now at a third of the Domination limit for my Chieftain pacifist attempt.