ST4 - Emperor Tweak

ST4 - Emperor Tweak

Introduction:
This is the Fourth SG using Sirian's Tweak Mod . This one is designed for those players who are still working up to Deity level, and will be on Emperor level.

Current Roster:
Dark Savant - Just Played
Puzzlinon - Up!
TedJackson - On deck
Jmansell - Just played
Lord_all_Mighty -
Snaproll - On deck -
Game Summary:
This is a section I've decided to add mainly for the benefit of lurkers, and will give a quick synopsis of the current game situation and anything interesting about the game. It will also contain summaries of each page listing interesting points that folks may want to look at. I hope to start a trend for SG's, but we'll see.

Current Situation: 570 B.C. SOIWM, or, Stuck On an Island With Mongols!!! We have taken Iron from the Mongols with our Archers! THe Mongols are folding quickly, due to a bad starting position (and our incredible skill, of course). Our galleys are now fanning out, but by the look of the map we may have to do suicide runs to meet anyone new. We may be stuck here, with the hopeless mongols, for awhile. Could be a tough position, but at least we have lots of land area!
Page 4:Map Making is complete, and our galley(s) will soon move out to make contact. Halfway finished settling our western landmass, and finally have our first luxury connected. Our archers are all set to take the iron from the Mongols - expect big events in the turns to come! Learned some lessons about the wonderful upload system too
Page 3: Still in a pre-war phase on this page, and we still didn't have contact with anyone but the Mongols. Had some problems on one of the turns with a bug(?) with the "Always wait at end of turn" function that took some discussion.
Page 2: We met the Mongols and they seem to be the only civ in our corner of the world. The expansion phase goes well, with our capitol spitting out settlers quickly. There is a lack of luxuries near us, although ivory was spotted in the west. Also, much of the page was used discussing RCP and its use in this game. After some deliberation, an agreement was made not to use RCP in this game due to its exploitative aspects.
Page 1: Discussion of Game Parameters and Settings. After some discussions, we chose the French, as they are the lone civ who has a UU changed by Sirian's Mod. The game was started and the first turns played, revealing an excellent start position with several food bonuses and fresh water. We also discussed including a variant rule outlawing ancient offensive warfare, in an effort to ensure the game lasted long enough to test all of Sirian's changes. This was quickly scrapped in lieu of a Space-Race victory objective.

Starting Position:



Game Settings:
Civilization: France
Difficulty: Emperor
Map Size: Standard
Opponents: Mongols, Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Arabs, Spanish, Russians.
Land: Archipelago 30%
Climate:Warm/Wet/4 Billion
Barbarians: Restless
Diplomatic victory disabled

Turns per Player: Ten (possibly 5 in the late game)
Turnaround Times: 24/72
Protocol: RBCiv exploits are off limits.

This is also my first attempt at running a SG, so go easy on me! I'll do my best.

I would love to join if you have a place to fill.

I think the S-Tweak games are 2 archies and a pangaea; so maybe continents? (And maybe no space-race-screen peeking?)

It could be interesting to see how the Samurai fares in the midst of those strengthened muskets and so forth, so Japan might make an interesting game. (You get a good team color with Japan, also

I'll join if you don't mind the fact that I haven't had much experience with Emperor level (though I don't really find it to be that difficult)

I'd prefer a large map if at all possible, and It doesn't really matter what civ we play as long as it's not one of the Mil/Exp civs.

OK, looks like I'm in on this one.

I'd strongly prefer to play on a standard-size map. I'd accept large if people really want it, though.

As many of the changes in the game come later in the game, I'd prefer a builder civ. Any builder civ is okay with me. I think we should commit to making no offensive action in the Ancient Age, so that we have some opportunity to test some of the changes later in the game.

I, too, would like to join this game.

I'll go with the majority on map size as it's not a problem for me.

Any Industrious civ would be OK in my book


regards

Ted
p.s. @Dark savant - promise me you won't trigger a victory on your last turn again

Ok, I PM'd both Jmansell and Ozymandous to see if they are still interested in playing. I am ok with 7 players (which is what we'd have if both Ozy and Jmansell show up), which is a lot for an SG, but then again one of those two may decide not to play. So for now, the roster looks like:

Current Roster:
Snaproll
Dark Savant
Jmansell (Reserved spot awaiting check-in)
Ozymandous (Reserved spot awaiting check-in)
Puzzlinon
Lord_all_Mighty
TedJackson

Signups Closed

By the way, welcome to all of you!

Comments on the scenario:

I'm fine with a standard map. We'll go with that unless there are any objections. Drak Savant suggested we have no offensive operations in the Ancient Age. I'm a little hesitant, as that could either be minor variant to a major handicap, depending on how the terrain looks and the civs are laid out. We are on emperor, though, so we could probably overcome that disadvantage. Unless there's any disagreement, I'm willing ot use that variant.

Alternatives could be limiting ourselves to a space race victory or playing on an archipelago map. In fact, I think we will use a pelago map regardless - this will limit early warfare somewhat and be a little more difficult than a pangea or continent map.

Ok, now for civilization. I want to pick one that allows us to test the changes in Sirian's mod, so therefore now UU's that will skew that testing procedure. We are shooting for no offensive warfare in the Ancient Age, so scratch all civs with an ancient UU. We have had a request for an industrous civ. In fact, one UU has been altered by the mod - lets try that out. That leads to:

The French

Other civs I considered and are possibilities:
Spanish
Indians
English
Mongols

The Musketeer gains an extra point of defense under the mod and I think it makes a lot of sense to try them out. Unless I hear great moans of disgust and indignation, we'll use them. And, if we do this - why not give them a workout by selecting our opponents to have UU's that will test them:

Mongols, Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Arabs, Spanish, Russians.

Anyway, here are my proposed settings:

Civilization: France
Difficulty: Emperor
Map Size: Standard
Opponents: Mongols, Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Arabs, Spanish, Russians.
Land: Archipelago 30%
Climate:Warm/Wet/4 Billion
Barbarians: Restless

Variant Rule: No offensive warfare in Ancient Age

Sound off with your opinions - as soon as we agree I'll ask Sirian to give us a start!

edit: 500 posts! :grad:

@ Snaproll,

I am happy with your proposals except the no offensive wars in Ancient Times. I am happy with the idea in principle but not if we have real close neighbours.

I think it would be best to go with "suck it and see". If we aren't squeezed then no Ancient Wars is fine but we may need to re-assess if a situation arises.


Sitting on the fence gives me a pain in the b***

Ted

I think the thought was that the game shouldn't be decided by becoming unbeatable through ancient conquest. To really exercise the mods, the industrial period should be a close fight. I'd agree that using ancient war to stay competitive fits the spirit of that.

OK then what are some proposals to keep the game interesting late? I think we should disable diplomatic victory for starters. ANy other ideas?

I agree with diplo disabled and would like to aim for Space race (as this will require we complete most of the tech tree).


regards

Ted

Well if the game is going to be lasting in to the Industrial ages, shouldn't the Germans be considered as well?

Originally posted by Lord_all_Mighty
Well if the game is going to be lasting in to the Industrial ages, shouldn't the Germans be considered as well?

Click to expand...

You're right of course, but I nixed the germans since ST1 is using them.

I'm going to give one more day for Ozy and Jmansell to reply - and if not we'll start without them!

Originally posted by Snaproll


You're right of course, but I nixed the germans since ST1 is using them.

I'm going to give one more day for Ozy and Jmansell to reply - and if not we'll start without them!

Click to expand...

You mean ST2

Anyway could you place me near the bottom of the roster, I'd like to see how we start.

I decided to be impatient and start the game. I generated a start and playtested it to make sure it was a good start - not stuck on a rock by ourselves. As it turns out, we pulled a pretty nice starting position:



The game has officially started, using the following settings:

Civilization: France
Difficulty: Emperor
Map Size: Standard
Opponents: Mongols, Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Arabs, Spanish, Russians.
Land: Archipelago 30%
Climate:Warm/Wet/4 Billion
Barbarians: Restless
Diplomatic victory disabled

Here is the roster we will use, at least until/if Ozymandous and Jmansell check in:

Dark Savant - Up!
Puzzlinon - On deck
TedJackson
Jmansell
Lord_all_Mighty
Snaproll
Ozymandous (skipped awaiting check-in)

I put myself last since I play tested the map. I also will update the first post to reflect all this.

I hope you guys have fun. I'll do my best to make this a good SG experience for you all!

The Game

Sure I'm in. I wouldn't miss this. Sorry about the late check-in (comment for TedJackson - incedently I dont live far from Heathrow) but I've been out all day. Also its nice to see I'm welcome, a nice change.

Also, I'm interested to know what sort of experience people here have. As for me... I have completed quite a few epics, although a few after the deadlines. I know Snaproll and Ozy from the RBCiv forum, but the rest of you are new to me. I do not know if you have played any epics or have played by their rules but if the term "RBCiv exploits" is new to you I suggest you read up upon them at: http://www.realmsbeyond.net/civ/eexploits.html , or for further detail, refer to: http://www.realmsbeyond.net/civ/etactics.html

Thanks

OK I've updated the roster to include you Jmansell. Good to have you!

I got it. I just came off an Epic 32 playing session, where these events transpired: [censored], [censored], and [censored]. I'm still in a Civ groove right now, so I think now is a good time to play. Please hold while I establish the beginnings of the greatest nation on this planet!

I'll play at least 20 to start off, and perhaps as many as 40, depending on how far things go.

Lets keep it to 20 DS, and then 10 after that. I don't want you to have all the fun at the beginning!

Whoops, didn't see Snaproll's request to play 20 in time. I hope that doesn't upset anyone. I played 30 instead, which was just enough for us to get our second city going.

4000 BC (1) -- Moving the worker to the cattle reveals a river delta two squares from the start location. Paris founded at start -> warrior. Research Pottery at 100%, due in 20. Our opponents: Mongola, China, Japan, Russia. Spain, Arabia, India.

3750 BC (6) -- Paris warrior -> warrior.

3600 BC (9) -- Mongol scout passes by. Paris warrior -> warrior. I trade Alphabet to Mongolia for Pottery + Warrior Code + 1g. Begin 80% research on Ceremonial Burial.

3450 BC (12) -- Paris warrior -> granary.

3000 BC (21) -- Paris granary -> settler.

2950 BC (22) -- Trip a hut and get angry barbs.

2900 BC (23) -- Our warrior defeats one of the barbs. Ceremonial Burial discovered; begin researching Mathematics at minimum. Trade Masonry to Mongolia for Bronze Working + 6g.

2850 BC (24) -- A second barb kills our scout warrior.

2750 BC (26) -- Paris settler -> settler.

2590 BC (30) -- Paris settler -> settler. Orleans founded on lake next to two wheat and a game -> warrior.

Paris is now at +5fpt and can make a settler every 4 turns with appropriate micromanagement.

It looks like we may be alone on an island with the Mongols! It thus may be a good idea to (1) scrap our ancient no-war rule, making an exception for the Mongols only, (2) scrap the minimum research on Mathematics in favor of Writing (to get to Map Making ASAP), and (3) get some military factories going, pronto!

Here is our land and my suggested dotmap:



I think we should go for red dot first even though it's not first ring -- I just want to try to beat the Mongols to the area.

Puzzlinon -- you're up!

Download the save file here!

Dark Savant - Don't worry at all about taking 30. No biggie. Alone on an island with the Mongols huh? That will be fun! I agree that map making is a priority now. Note that if we chop and irrigate the game tile we can be at +5 food per turn!!

Current Roster:
Dark Savant - Just played
Puzzlinon - Up!
TedJackson - On deck
Jmansell
Lord_all_Mighty
Snaproll
Ozymandous (skipped awaiting check-in)

Puzzlinon go ahead and just do ten turns, if you don't mind. Good luck! Watch out for the hordes!

Note to all - I will try and post the turn order after each turn, but don't wait for it - sometimes it may be several hours before I see it. I will also keep the first post updated.