I Need Help From the Pro's......

[nxpciviii]

I have just purchased CIVIII....Iv'e never played a strategy game like this b4....and I do feel a bit overwhelmed....I'm not even sure what to do first so that I can get rolling...I'm an older chap, so it does take me a little longer to learn a new game....what would you suggest...???

A new guy trying to get foothold...
Thx for help...

[ainwood]

Welcome to CFC!

Well, have a bit of a browse through the manual to get a few of the basic concepts. If you start your very first game on chieftan level, then I think it automatically starts a tutorial game, which gives you a few hints and tips.

Have a look through some of the threads here, and there is a lot of info to be gained. And above all, ask questions!

Good luck!

[Immortal]

No! dont use the chieftan difficulty, its far too easy, play the difficulty above chieftan. many of the strategies I used in chieftan cannot possibly work in any other difficulty. It took a couple games on prince to figure that out.

For instance tech research seems impossibly fast in chieftan, any other dif will mak eit more relevent to early age relations. Plus ancient era wars are absolutely non existent unless you initiate them in chieftan, at least they were for me.

Take it easy boy, and you'll do fine!

[Padma]

Welcome to CFC, nxpciviii!

As another "older chap", I would recommend the same as ainwood: browse the manual, try a first "tutorial" game on Chieftain, and ask questions here!

One thing to remember, is like immortal said - the Chieftain level is heavily weighted in your favor. Once you know how to play, it's almost impossible to lose there. Just be ready to shift your strategies as you move up in the levels. Regent is where the AI and the human player are *even* - the playing field is level. Above that, and the AI gets increasing bonuses to make it tougher for you.

Just remember, the best "manual" for the game is right here at these forums. If you run into a problem, check the FAQ thread, and maybe search for threads on similar problems. Of course, there is always the Quick Answers thread, where you can get a response to a basic question, often in minutes.

Don't forget to check out our Strategy and Tips forum, and the Succession Games forum, too. Both good places to help you understand the game better.

[valamas]

Originally Posted by Immortal

No! dont use the chieftan difficulty, its far too easy, play the difficulty above chieftan. many of the strategies I used in chieftan cannot possibly work in any other difficulty. It took a couple games on prince to figure that out.

For instance tech research seems impossibly fast in chieftan, any other dif will mak eit more relevent to early age relations. Plus ancient era wars are absolutely non existent unless you initiate them in chieftan, at least they were for me.

Take it easy boy, and you'll do fine!

I think the key is to learn to play. Use chieftan level. Learning new strategies on other difficulty levels is great fun once you know how to play.

[Turner]

Yeah, it's like the govenor. I used it quite a bit, until I got past the 'hump' and wanted to move past Regent. I realized that if I wanted to compete at higher levels, I had to learn to manage my own cities.... Chieftain may be a crutch, but it is one that will help you learn the game mechanics and one should move off of it as quickly as possible, IMHO.

[scoutsout]

@nxpciviii: Let me be the next to say - Welcome! (and hey, I'm over 30 too!)

On Chieftain level: By all means, play a game or two here, to learn the mechanics of the game...but don't linger long at this level.

Surf the War Academy. I have one or two more posts than you, and I still surf it. LOTS of good stuff. Thunderfall just reorganized it, which is a Good Thing.

Ask questions here. People on these forums are most helpful.

Since you're apparently quite new to this, "Succession Games" might be a bit of a 'culture shock', but surf this thread. It's a "Training Day Game", and one that has been most helpful to me. There "might" be a spot opening up in this particular one if you can do a bit of reading, but surf it for a bit even if you don't want to join. There are a few pointers in there.

Once again, welcome!

[Hygro]

Originally Posted by Immortal

No! dont use the chieftan difficulty, its far too easy, play the difficulty above chieftan. many of the strategies I used in chieftan cannot possibly work in any other difficulty. It took a couple games on prince to figure that out.

Why would one play a game where they would never survive past 2000 BC and never have time learn even the basics becaues the computer utterly destroy them benifit from that?

Play Chieftain, with tutorial mode on. If you don't understand basic game functions, playing a higher level won't help.

[nxpciviii]

The info points me in good direction.....thx a bunch...cheerio'

[alamo]

From those about to play...

The always-war variant is always good...even on chieftain!

But seriously...

There is a ton of stuff to read if you are a reader - start with the war academy.

And if you're a player, well, just play! Chieftain level, turn on city governors, automate workers, and have fun conquering the world with your troops.


Eventually you will want to know something not in the civlopedia. Then you will be ready for the next level.

[planetfall]

As someone over 40 who has had good times and bad times learning this game, there are two different strategies I would recommend.

Strategy A - learning what techs do, how units work, how workers work
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Play at chieftain level
__why? less to worry about and still able to finish the game with good chance of winning
2. Select connected world, no continents
--why? navies are not important in this game, keep it simple
3. Don't go wonder crazy, only build 2..3/era
__why? As advance there is no why you will be able to build many. As you get to top you may only build one or two at first.
4. Trades are ok, but focus on mechanics first
__ why? simple you need something to trade with.
5. Build your cities 3..5 tiles apart
__why? each player has different favorites. Try the different spacings so you experience the difference, don't just go for OCP, [Open City Placement], of 5 tiles apart.
6. Don't try to build everything available
__why? you will be much more effective if you learn to have some variety in city builds. You can't afford all.
7. Try some wars
__why? At higher levels wars are important. There is nothing like playing with a few to see how warfare works.
8. Limit civs to 3 others
__ why? You don't want to worry about trading at first nor fighting, you need to learn how to build cities, move units, and keep your civ prosperous.


Strategy B-- learning: trading and diplomacy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. After you get above chieftan leve, then try trading. AI [computer moves] will always offer uneven trades, where they come off much better than you do. Don't fight the system, but do learn to use it. See Nethod's guide for a way of evaluating the tech trades.
2. Play with 7 other civs and you will be forced to learn trading and pact making.
3. You can't be 100% builder, i.e., no military, or 100% warlord, i.e. all military, so begin to figure out when you will build and when you will fight.
4. Use the civopedia inside the game instead of any manuals.


How to have fun:
1. Check out the FAQ section. It is best for learning, forget the manual.
2. You might consider Conquests, it offers short games at different levels. It is not the same as a long game, i.e. epic game, but it will allow completion in a few days.
3. Post your questions on the forum, no question is dumb. You will get good solid answers. You won't find anyone giving bad advice.
4. Limit play time to 2..3 hours, more than that is too exhausting.
5. Checkout the war academy for aids in jumping levels.

Anyway, welcome and don't sweat it. It is a fun, but addictive game.

PF

[davidcrazy]

the tutorial mode is very helpful at this moment, even more useful than this website because there's just too much information here. right-click a lot because you can almost always find the answer in the civcyclopedia there...

[Hygro]

davidcrazy, that's a very valid point that people tend to forget. When someone is so new to the game, all the strategies and information in the world is utterly useless because it's so overwhelming!

[#1 Person]

If you stick around this forum enough the game gets stuck on you. You learn lots of stuff by looking at the threads here. I learned the how coruption works and lots of other stuff here.

Basicly experiment with your games. Play as many different Civs. Try lots of different stratigies. maybe try concintrating on wonders one game and not building any in another game. Build lots of cities in one game or only a few in another game.