Are you a Wiser Orc? (quizzes towards a better AI)

[xanaqui42]

The primary objective of the Wiser Orcs mod is to substantially improve the AI. Towards that end, I would like to ask certain focused questions on specific topics, with the expectation that I can turn the feedback into better AI than the present AI.

Any hidden quizzes are ones where I've already started design of that section. Feel free to answer them, but I'm less likely to use the results.

Ground rules:

1. If you don't like how a question is worded, feel free to answer part of the question, something related, or to skip the question.
2. If you think I'm missing something important on the subject, feel free to mention it even if I don't ask.
3. Detailed answers are primarily what I'm looking for, particularly for the reasons why you do something.
4. Please don't argue if someone else's answers are "good" or "bad" on this thread (my questions, however, are fair game). Frankly, detail matters a lot more than if it's the optimal answer.
5. Thank you for your time.


Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
2. Do you play multi-player?
3. What game speed do you use?
4. What map size do you use?
5. What map type do you use?
6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
7. What version do you typically play?
8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?

Extremely useful answers; thank you. I'm in the process of implementing some pieces of them.

 

[xienwolf]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
   • Prince
     
2. Do you play multi-player?
   • Rarely, generally just with my wife every 3 months or so
     
3. What game speed do you use?
   • Normal latetly, but wish I still had the time for Marathon, as it is my preference
     
4. What map size do you use?
   • Standard, but again, would prefer to have the time for Huge
     
5. What map type do you use?
   • Creation, or Fractal if I feel like ditching the valleys
     
6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
   • Random Seed on Reload is the only regularly used one. Also tend to use Double Resources when playing with my wife so things are easier for her.
7. What version do you typically play?
   • Fall Further, because I added things to it to make life easier, and need to playtest the other things added when I actually have time to play.
     
8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
   • Random, always.
     

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
   • Runes of Kilmorph
     
2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
   • Love the bonus gold. Could typically care less about bonus Culture. Plus Bambur and free Iron are pretty sweet.
     
3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
   • Very rarely do I care about anything except getting the gold. But I also like Druids, so I'll use OO or CoE to become neutral if Random gives me a Good Civ. And I'll pop OO if I happen to get Fishing from a Hut early on.
     
4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
   • Pretty huge priority, but only if I am not swamped by forests and jungles.
     
5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
   • Never bother unless I decide to aim for a Tower Victory, and probably won't even then with the advent of Metamagic Mana. Haven't played much since that came out though sadly.
     
6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
   • Can't just click on Runes, you wind up going for the Metal path first in that case. Instead you choose to aim for Elder Councils manually, THEN you click on Runes. Unless there are some nice deposits of non-tree covered Gold nearby, then you are safe to hit Mining first.
     
7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
   • Never do, but would like to try out Empyrean and Esus sometime if I happen to lose Bambur and have the needed Techs
     
8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
   • I try to avoid AV, because I don't much care for the whole Hell Terrain hassle in my lands.
     
9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
   • It will change my military strategy. But if they are on another continent then it will also change my religious strategy to start. I'll either hit Order or OO, whichever is closest for me, if I get beat to RoK.
     

 

[[to_xp]Gekko]

quiz 0 :

1) noble. I'm not a very good player of civ ( civ4 is the first I ever played ) , let alone FFH2 that I've discovered like what, 1 month ago? so still a n00b actually. and because I like a challenge, but I dislike cheating AI. I'll definitely move up when it gets too easy though. I also use FF's "no ai max lvl req" and just started using "no ai building req" . but I'll happily turn them both off as soon as their no longer needed cuz I like to play on an equal lvl as my opponents.

2) not yet, I'll probably do eventually though. still, civ is not a good game for multiplayer imho, waay too lenghty. and the reason cuz I like turn based strategy in the first place is cuz I can just sit there and think about what I'm doing and take my time, which is not the case in MP eheh.

3) quick or normal. I prefer quick but since everyone says the mod is balanced at normal speed only I'll stick to that. still, I'd be sooo happy if it was balanced at ANY speed.

4) I'm still experimenting with that. I love huge maps, but I may have to scale it down to large if I find that I can't bear the long waits between turns at late-game, that's a killer for me. that's one of the reasons I'd like to play at quick too: less turns --> less wait between turns.

5) Erebus/creation, nothing else for FFH2. it fits the setting and I like it although sometimes I wish it didn't take the isolation so far, cuz sometimes that gets boring if you have no opponents nearby to spice up your game.

6) permament alliances, cuz I like to make allies even though perm alliances are not really good in civ in general I think and tend to screw up your tech more than anything else.
require complete kills cuz to me it makes more sense and to avoid cheesy tactics like "attack while their army is somewhere else so they can't retaliate ahahah" .
flavour start, I love that although it's probably not balanced right now.
barbarian world, wildlands, blessings of amatheon and last days and living world to spice up the game. broader alignment too, it's nice.

7) Fall Further + Scions of Patria, I patch as soon as patches come out unless I got a game to finish.

8) random, it's way more fun that way so that every game is different.

quiz 1

1) don't have one
2) cuz I like to change. did I tell you I play with random civs? oh yeah I did
3) I usually adopt the one that fits my current civ better to keep things flavoury, I'm not really interested in winning, just wanna have fun ( ooooh girls just wanna have.. wait, got carried away, sorry ) .
4) if I'm playing a civ that's very religion oriented, I try to found that religion and I adopt it even if I didn't manage to found it. if I'm playing a civ that doesn't really have a fitting religion, I usually ignore that and then switch to the one that helps me the most with foreign diplomacy. I want to be the one that declares war, don't like to be caught flat-footed eheh.
5) nah, one is enough for me, I'm not greedy
6) this question is a bit confusing. I'm not really into beelining though, I'll have to learn that. I like techs that give me access to improvements and resources mostly, and the ones that improve improvements like sanitation etc. other than that I usually choose the cheapest ones from the ones I like. I suck I know
7) as said before, I'll switch if it benefits diplomacy if I'm not playing a civ that's heavily linked to a certain religion. in the early game I like to share the same religion as my neightbors. if at end-game I see that a huge portion of the civs all share the same one and are threatening me, I'll switch allegiances and happily join their faith eheh. but If I'm playing, for example, Lsolsafar, nothing will get me to changing from FoL. damn tree-burnins heathens !
8) not really, but I may learn doing that as I get better at playing.
9) no, I'll just go my own way and be friends with the guy who founded it.

if you got any other question, just ask

 

[avalonnn]

0

1) Warlord. I was up to Noble on Vanliia FFH but dropped back because there's so much to learn here.

2) Never

3) Normal. Accidentally played Marathon recently.

4) I like Large maps but get CTD, so I'm using Normal size.

5) I like earth-inspired maps like Mediterranean and Earth. The Erebus mountains are interesting but I don't like them. I will of course return to Erebus, however.

6 + 7) regular FFH 2.033 -- new random seed on reload, and I do reload because that's part of learning.

8) I like Elohim and Khazad the most but I want to try them all. Sidar are interesting and once I read the Balseraphs thread and learned how to romp with Loki, that worked out well.


1

1) RoK and Order but I'm trying Empyrean now and want to try Esus.

2) Early Bambur and Iron make those first conquests easy.

3) Sometimes I try OO, especially if there's a lot of water. I think OO is good on an Erebus map.

4) Founding a relgion and having its shrine makes all the difference to my economy.

5) Yes, I will found multiple religions, especially if I want my neighbors to change alignment.

6) As Xien says, you need the Elder Councils (and God King) early.

7) I will switch if I lose that religion's heroes (just lost Bambur but managed to found both Order and Empy -- maybe I'm ready to up the difficulty level)

8) Alignment is important.

9) ditto Xien. Of course, if somebody else founds the religion you want, and someone who gets powerful in the late game, like Calabim or Svart have a holy city, and you have iron and they don't yet have powerful defensive units, you could conquer the Svart or Calabim and then switch. AV Luichirp are quite powerful.


10) Favorite wonders. Like the AI, Form of the Titan is great (and is why you need an early game hero). Lighthouse is useful on some maps, not on others. If I'm really doing well, beelining for Nexus and Camelius Aurelius (sp?) wins the game. I also like the wonders that increase the benefits of your specialists and the wonders that put buildings in every city. The wonders that give you mana are also powerful, and are part of why the shrines are so valuable (Law from Order and Earth from RoK are great).

11) One more thing -- I'm finding Mercurians extremely powerful, as an ally or as a civ to play or as an opponent. I like this. But if you're good, you don't want a potential vassal to build the Gate. So I now beeline to that tech too. Have not seen Infernals become very powerful, but I often kill them off, whether I'm good or evil.

 

[kobo1d]

[*]What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
Prince/Monarch
[*]Do you play multi-player?
Over a LAN.
[*]What game speed do you use?
Quick/Normal
[*]What map size do you use?
Multiplayer-Standard or smaller
Single Player-Could be anything.
[*]What map type do you use?
Pangaea type maps, Creation, Tectonics, etc.
[*]If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
Living World, Blessings, No Archaon (dumb AI), sometimes Advanced Start, occasional others depending on mood
[*]What version do you typically play?
Newest
[*]What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
I try to play them all, but my favorites are Tasunke, Faeryl, Beeri, Thessa, Hyborem


Quiz 1 (Religion):


[*]What is your favorite religion?
Runes, FoL, Esus
[*]Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
Runes can support an economy single handedly. FoL is amazing with forest cottages, Esus is just fun as a second religion.
[*]Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
By Civ and strategy. Elves like FoL. Sometimes you need the Veil's science or Chalid's amazingness. Order is great for religious victory. Gold bases strategies can use Runes. Octopus Order can be militarily good early or on water maps (yuck)
[*]How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
The priority does vary. If you think you can get it, get it. If you are nearby the neighbor who is most likely to found it, then you can let them found it and take the city. Sometimes other techs are required sooner. Axe rush precludes a religion usually. Generally, if you can get it with out much sacrifice to your broad strategy, it is worth it.
[*]Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
Yes. First your main religion, and then hopefully a secondary one. Runes and FoL first then Esus or Empy later are my favorite options.
[*]When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
Sometimes you have to prioritize higher than religions. If your particular Civ's strength lies down the philosophy/religion tech path already, then Order might be an easy addition. If you tech Mining first (lots of gold hills, for example) then you might be able to snag Runes even when you hadn't planned on it. Same with FoL and the Recon line or Empy/Esus on the Horse/Trade line. Pop KotE from a hut early? Maybe an early Veil rush could work.
[*]Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
FoL for forests then "actual planned religion" second is common.
[*]Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
If it's too far away from my other tech goals. Cost vs benefit.
[*]If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
If you can take it from them, then go for it. Sometimes it isn't worth it and you just found another (Esus on the other side of world, for example) Other times you can go ahead and found it and spread it without the holy city, with the intent of capturing it eventually. Other times...who cares about the holy city! I got me a Chalid!

 

[Vehem]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):


What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
Immortal

Do you play multi-player?
Less frequently these days and not by ultra-competitive rule sets when I do. (we tend to do things like Order vs Veil)

What game speed do you use?
Normal

What map size do you use?
Various - Normal or Small on MP, Small to Huge on SP.

What map type do you use?
Creation/Erebus, Fractal, Continents, Islands

If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
Raging Barbarians, Aggressive AI, No Building Prereqs, No Tech Brokering

What version do you typically play?
Most recent FfH or development FF.

What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
Varied - mostly random, or whichever civ I'm tinkering with at the time.


Quiz 1 (Religion):


What is your favorite religion?
Order

Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
Mostly thematic, but I do appreciate the civics and maintenance reduction. I also don't pursue early religion aggressively so it is a safer option to acquire a little later and still be able to found it.

Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?

I tend to go with FoL and RoK for the Elves/Dwarves respectively, occasionally RoK for other civs and OO from time to time. I also consider Veil with magic using civs. I tend to use Empyrean in cases where I need an "edge" (the MP challenge game I played solo against 5 AI's and a human on a team - Radiant guard kept me alive and Chalid took out the human player largely on his own, which was the victory condition we'd set - "last human standing").

How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
Varies by civ. Higher priority for Elves/Dwarves, or if the civ I'm playing has a late hero.

Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
Rarely and very dependent on circumstance.

When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
For an "Order" game, sort out the economy/resources first (Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Education, Mining, Calender etc - as suits the resources). For a FoL/RoK game, Mysticism followed by required techs immediately.

Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
Occasionally I'll switch if a religion becomes too prevalent, just to shake things up - but this isn't going to be an optimal move for the AI. Ideally I'd say religion choice should be related to that of neighbors and available hero/wonders.

Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
Generally not - though the AI may wish to avoid a conflicting religion if it's main neighbor is significantly larger (personally I think doing that is just fun )

If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
It tends to mean an early war against that player if feasible...

 

[slowcar]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
   • Deity. Sometimes Immortal, depending on my need to relax and the map type.
     
2. Do you play multi-player?
   • Not often. I used to play cooperative with my cohabitant but due to vista+xp OOCs we don't even try anymore. competive very rarely, i used to play some german civ league with warlords but i don't like the hectic first-moves, the axe+catapult stacking etc.
     
3. What game speed do you use?
   • in FFH normal as it seems to be slower anyhow
     
4. What map size do you use?
   • Depends, normal most of the time, sometimes bigger.
     
5. What map type do you use?
   • I don't like creation so i mostly play pangäa. I like the ffh-worldmap a lot, just started playing it though.
     
6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
   • No tech trading sometimes on deity (the tech brokering is favoring the AI a lot), no AI building requirements (even though i switch it on on my next bigger deity game, just brutal), barbarian settlements and raging barbs are usually off as they favor the human player (a lot). living world (i love events). agressive AI.
7. What version do you typically play?
   • standard most of the time. i like fall further but it seems to make things more unstable, all my games crashed eventually. i love the convienience things like the stuff from the hof mod. a lot.
     
8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
   • My favorite is tasunke, very straight and a bit frontloaded. i also like balseraph because they offer unique things, hyborem (same reason), unfortunately he is not really reachable in immortal and impossible on deity. i dislike civs with insta-win features like vampires or fireball-golems.
     don't play peaceful leaders a lot as i play war-centric and they just make things harder
     

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
   • Empyrion
     
2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
   • Chalid is a very good hero and adds nice to my playing style. i love rathas, especially with commando. go in, fixate the enemy stack, go out.
     
3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
   • I ususally start with RoK to leverage the gold bonus, depending on diplomatic situation i adopt it - or not.
     
4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
   • If i have the chance and some spare time, why not. nice to get some gold and extra mana. conquering a holy city with the shrine built is also nice though
     i sometimes try to found empyrion to hinder others to build chalid etc.
     
5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
   • Nothing bad with it but i usually have a lot other stuff to research.
     
6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
   • farms+mines have priority most of the time. city states + markets are also high on the list, depending on my military situation.
     
7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
   • mostly depends on the diplomatic situation. planned is RoK -> empyrion.
     
8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
   • no AV as i don't like high armageddon. except when i play sheaim/hyborem, of course.
     
9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
   • having the holy city is only icing on the cake. only if i lose the race to the heroes i switch to another religion.
     

 

[orangelex44]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
Prince

Do you play multi-player?
I have yet to attempt it for FFH, we'll see.

What game speed do you use?
Normal, always.

What map size do you use?
My computer doesn't agree with Huge, so mostly Large. Sometimes I try a Huge, but by the endgame it's too slow.

What map type do you use?
Pangea, Lakes, Erebus - I like lots of land and little water.

If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
Sometimes Blessing of Amathera, almost always Wild Lands and Living World.

What version do you typically play?
Generally the latest version, although I have a tendency to fall behind on patches. I have Fall Further, but play base FFH more often.

What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
I try to switch it up a lot, but on the whole I avoid Evil civs - except for the vamps.



Quiz 1 (Religion):

What is your favorite religion?
Depends on my civ, I try to go along with the best lorewise. I like Order, though - Crusaders are champions!

Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
The aforementioned Crusaders, plus I just like playing as Good.

Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
Again, based on the "right" one for the civ IMO.

How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
Generally, I don't bother trying for one right out unless I'm attempting to get Basium/Hyboreum, and I no longer really do that even. If I'm Malakim, or elven, it's a much higher priority.

Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
No.

When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
Since it's never a high priority for me, and dsince I find it never seems to matter too much, I get (at the very least) the four "base" techs, Mining, Mysticism, Education, Bronze Working, and possibly a Magic type tech as well. Again, usually I go much further than that, and my preferred religion strategy is to stay without one then switch as foreign relations dictate.

Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
If someone I want as a pal gets pissy, I switch. Otherwise, I really don't care, but I tend to try to stay the same alignment.

Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
Ashen Veil, to avoid Hell terrain.

If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
I get angry, and go a-conquering... heehee...

 

[MagisterCultuum]

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
   
   Typically Noble, but I often move up to Prince in Advanced Start games. Some of my changes (like increasing the base yields of city tiles) help out the AI more than me (rushes become really scary), so I may go down a little in my modmod.
   [*]Do you play multi-player?
   
   I've never played a real multi-player game, but occasionally play hotseat games against myself. About half of these started as hotseat games against my sister, but she tends to get board and only play a couple turns before I I end up making all her moves for her. The other half are when I want to see how balanced the various exploits my modmod added are when used against each other.
   [*]What game speed do you use?
   
   Usually Normal, sometimes a custom speed. Well, actually I play far more games on quick, but that's just when I'm testing out new things in my modmod
   [*]What map size do you use?
   
   Normally Standard, sometimes large, if I'm just testing a new feature in my modmod I'll go down to duel
   [*]What map type do you use?
   
   Usually Hemispheres or Perfect World
   [*]If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
   
   I usually use Blessings of Amathoan, permanent alliances, no tech brokering, and advanced start, plus often End of Winter (now that it no longer messes up Pirates Coves). I may turn off/double the AC or disable Hyborem/Basium too, depending on the civ I want to play.
   [*]What version do you typically play?
   
   My own versions of FfH or FF.
   [*]What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
   
   Calabim, Sheaim, Elohim, Ljosalfar, Svartalfar, Sidar, Grigori (in my modmod), Luchuirp (in my modmod), Autrin (in FF, obviously). I typically just play as a random civ unless I just made some changes I want to try out.

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
   
   I don't really have much of a preference between the 7 in game religions overall. This depends heavily on the civ, the map, etc.
   
   [*]Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
   N/A
   
   [*]Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
   
   Strongly. I usually try to go for something flavorful, and strategically valuable on any given map.
   
   [*]How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
   
   Its usually pretty important for me to found at least one.
   
   [*]Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
   
   I usually try to found at least 3 before the game even starts, in advanced starts. In recent versions, I've found that the AI go more strongly for religions too, so I rarely get all of them I buy and would. I usually buy FoL first (so I can convert early for the ancient forests, then adopt something else), and then something depending on the civ. I since I like tech trading I usually want trade before the game starts too, so I'll typically go for either the Empyrean or Council of Esus. Besides, their Shrines are more valuable than most. If there are no/few forests near my starting position I'll often take the sailing route to trade, which means founding OO is too convenient to pass up. If I'm playing as the Calabim, I'll want Governors Mansions in most of my cities before the game starts, so I often figure I might as well get The Order as well. Since I like starting the game with a mage guild in a high production city so I have a head start on the Catacombs Liberalus, I'll typically get AV before the game starts if I'm a (non-Calabim) Evil civ.
   
   [*]When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
   
   I usually want to start the game with several Libraries and one Mage Guild (for the Catacombs), so I pretty much always get writing and KotE first. Even when I don't care about Esus/Empyrean I want to be able to trade techs early, so I rush for trade.
   
   [*]Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
   
   Certainly. After my religious heroes die, I often look for new ones. I often go for FoL for the ancient forests and then switch to my real choice, usually The Empyrean or The Council of Esus. I'll also switch religions to try to change the balance of power between the Infernals and Mercurians. If the AC gets and stays over 70 I'm likely to turn to RoK or AV (if I have the holy city) so I can build an Avatar.
   
   [*]Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
   
   I'll avoid AV if I'm not evil, or even more so if I'm Calabim. I also tend to avoid the less thematic religions. I would not found the Order or Empyrean as the Doviello or Sheaim,or an evil religion as one of the good civs.
   
   [*]If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
   
   Well, I typically try to get religions before the game starts, so I don't know if an AI will get it first or not. It really annoys me when they beat me, since I don't get the free disciple and so must wait for the religion's natural spread, but there isn't a whole lot I can do about it. Occasionally I'll decide to cheat, but usually I'll just go with one of the other religions I founded early. My strategy is usually pretty flexible, so it isn't usually a big deal. When I am still researching a religious tech and someone else founds the religion, I typically switch to something else and trade for the tech if it is a religion I really wanted.
   

 

[Schmoe]

Comments below in blue:

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
   Monarch. I'm slowly (very slowly) working my way up.
2. Do you play multi-player?
   No.
3. What game speed do you use?
   Normal. I've experimented with Marathon and Epic, just to see what they're like, but Normal is my preferred speed.
4. What map size do you use?
   Standard. It takes too long for anything larger.
5. What map type do you use?
   I don't have a preference. I'm still trying them all out.
6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
   I like raging barbarians and wild world to help maintain the feeling of settling a vast and unfriendly wilderness for more of the game. I don't have a strong preference for any other options yet.
7. What version do you typically play?
   Currently playing 0.32
8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
   I've played most as Malakim, Doviello, and Sheaim. In my case, that just means more than one game as each The choices are really based on thematic preferences.

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
   I really like Runes of Kilmorph because I like the extra income and production, which generally fits with my builder style.
2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
   I like the coins and hammers
3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
   Yes. If I'm playing an evil civilization I'll usually prefer to go with Ashen Veil or Octopus Overlords, for thematic reasons. For whatever reason, I've had no problem adopting evil religions with "good" civilizations. When choosing a religion, the first factor I consider is often "which one do I have a shot at founding?" After that, it's usually a general consideration of whether I want to go with a builder strategy or an aggressive strategy, and which religion has synergy with my civilization.
4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
   It's very high priority unless I plan an early conquest. The bonus from the religious shrine is too good to pass up. If going with an early conquest, I'll aim to take over a holy city.
5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
   Only by happenstance. I've never intentionally made it part of my strategy.
6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
   I feel that some of the early techs, such as agriculture and masonry, are often important enough to jump start that I'll divert to one of those before going for a religion.
7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
   I'll switch religions if I have the opportunity to found another, later religion that might suit my civilization and strategy better. I've never switched religions to improve diplomatic relations, as I haven't wanted to fill my allied adversary's coffers any more. If I was in dire straights, though, I would certainly consider it.
8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
   I generally prefer to stick with thematic choices, so no good religions for evil civs, and vice versa. I usually avoid FoL just because I don't like the pansy elves
9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
   Yes. I might still get the religion I was originally pursuing, but I will strongly reconsider any other religions available for founding.

 

[Monkeyfinger]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
Immortal

2. Do you play multi-player?
Never

3. What game speed do you use?
Normal. Used to throw some Quick in there, but not anymore.

4. What map size do you use?
I'd estimate Standard 40% of the time, Large 40% of the time, Huge 20% of the time.

5. What map type do you use?
Mix it up a lot. Pangaea is the most common one I guess, but continents, custom continents, hemispheres, big & small, lakes all see use. I avoid mapscripts like Erebus.

6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
None. I used Living World before the base event rate was doubled.

7. What version do you typically play?
.34. What sort of question is this?

8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
Lanun are the most common, I think? Might also be Khazad. I rarely cling to one civ, though.

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
Empyrean

2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
Successful war is a great way to get ahead in FfH and BtS, and in FfH is more often than not the most convenient means of actual victory to pursue. See http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7239308 for why I think Empyrean is so great for warmongering.

3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
- If I'm creative, I'll make RoK my priority instead. If you take RoK's big drawback out of the picture (no culture) as creative leaders do, you have an excellent set of benefits, most chiefly the extra gold, though the buffed mines and early iron are great too.
- If I'm not creative and am playing on a map with a lot of narrow waterways and rivers blocking my path and making it hard for me to attack, I'll pick OO. Shouldn't have to explain this, other than the fact that since RoK guarantees me the resource needed to build high-end ships, it hels even on maps like this,so that as a creative leader I'll pick RoK even here.
- If I'm in a fiction over function mood, to hell with the above considerations, I pick Esus because it's the coolest.
- In theory, I'd choose FoL if I ever played the Elves. But I haven't in ages because I don't like them.

4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
Always a very high priority, involving a dedicated beeline after essential basic worker techs are researched. FfH religions are awesome.

5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
Only if I get beaten to my first choice religion. Once I have a holy city of a religion I'm happy with, I stop researching religion founding techs. This applies if I capture the holy city instead of founding it (only tends to happen with RoK, really)

6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
Just basic worker stuff like education, bronze, etc

7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
If I conquer some religion I don't want in the long run, I'll adopt it temporarily but make no effort to spread it and keep up my beeline for the religion I want. If I get any religion, even a good one, through passive spread, same deal applies. I really like having the shrine of my state religion.

8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
No.

9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
Yeah, I'll just try and rush for another one. If I get beaten to all the good ones, I'll try and conquer a holy city instead. If I get beaten to all of them and have no metal with which to stage an effective invasion, the game was probably one not worth finishing anyway. Not that this has happened beyond maybe 1 or 2 times.

 

[Zechnophobe]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
   
   Emperor or Immortal, about evenly. Rarely on Deity, and never below emperor.
   
2. Do you play multi-player?
   
   Occasionally, but rarely competitively.
   
3. What game speed do you use?
   
   Normal.
   
4. What map size do you use?
   
   Standard, rarely bigger.
   
5. What map type do you use?
   
   A lot of different types, but most often the more normal style maps: Pangaea, tectonics, archipelago.
   
6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
   
   I always have No AI Building Requirements on. Everytime I don't, I end up conquering the world and only killing Warriors. I also turn Orthus Off because he benefits the human player too much.
   
7. What version do you typically play?
   
   No Modmods, if that is what you are asking. I generally play roughly the most up to date patch, unless I notice the more recent patch has bad bugs in it.
   
8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
   
   Svartalfar, Lanun, Luichirp, Kuriotates. Occasionally others, but they just don't seem very strong (Not that the kuriotates are strong, per se, but they let me play for a cultural victory without feeling like I'm wasting my time).
   

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
   
   Fellowship of the Leaves.
   
2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
   
   By far the strongest religion for most civilizations. Few players seem to understand it's value, even for non elves.
   
3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
   
   If there is literally no forest near my civ, or if I luck into an end game religion early (Such as goodie hutting philosophy and Way of the Wise) then I'll go somewhere else. In rare cases I'll use Runes of Kilmorph (Khazad).
   
4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
   
   Founding a religion (Minus Esus) gives you a free city with that religion, as well as a cultural boom. In an early religion this is fairly important. However, with my favorite religion, FoL, you get little else for founding it (Save the normal gold/mana bonus option) so I don't worry about it per se. Given though that my empire kicks off right around the time I switch to FoL and Guardian of Nature, I will get it as fast as is reasonably possible.
   
   
5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
   
   The Esus Shrine is *extremely* powerful, so I'll grab that religion if possible. However, I won't tech too far out of my way to get to it.
   
   
6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
   
   Most of the time Education, sometimes calender. These tech's can greatly increase beaker count, and therefore will shorten the time it takes to get to a religion.
   
7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
   
   I've considered a FoL to AV switch, given FoL has no early game hero's. The idea being to simply upgrade all your forests to Ancient Forests, and then get Sacrifice the weak. I haven't really done this however, since most times I get to Corruption of Spirit, and realize I wouldn't gain any strength by switching.
   
8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
   
   Not that I can think of. I try not to spread FoL if I have it, since it is so strong (Especially for AI's, who may not necessarily understand the complexities of unit control, but do 'get' the idea of +1 Food on forest squares).
   
9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?

 

[Ekolite]

What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?

Usually monarch, which is a level or two above what I would play in vanilla. Sometimes I go for immortal for the extra challenge.

Do you play multi-player?

No, but it us something I would look into if my FFH computer had the internet.

What game speed do you use?

Generally normal, sometimes quick if I don't want to have to spend ages in the early game. Every so often I try epic too.

What map size do you use?

Normal.

What map type do you use?

I use either: Pangaea, big and small, fractal or perfect world.

If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?

Aggressive AI
No Tech Brockering
Gifts of Amaothon (not sure if this is the right name but i mean the extra resources one)
Living world (only sometimes, as the constallantion events drive me mad.)

What version do you typically play?

0.33, the latest patch.

What Civilization(s) do you typically play?

Mostly either the Balseraphs under Keelyn, Svartalfarl or Luchuip under Beeri bawl.


Quiz 1 (Religion):

What is your favorite religion?

It really does depend on circumstance, but I would say Runes of Kilmorph.

Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?

The gold from the temples allows you to devellop and expand quickly, the production bonus from arente is useful too. I oftenly found this religion first, build the temples and then switch to a later religion if I can found one like the Order or OO.

Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?

Not really, I'm a bit stuck in my ways. I rarely run any religion other then OO or ROK unless I'm playing a civ that has a really strong synergy with another religion or I feel like trying something new.

How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?

Definately, particularly if its the Order, Fellowship or Runes. These religions spread like wild fire and can allow you to really rake it in. Not important if its the veil - the scence bonus isn't all that much unless the religion is really well spread, which is rare. Founding an early religion also allows you a better shot at an early hero, most importantly Sverous or Bambur. Both are great in the early game.

Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?

Sometimes. RoK -> Anything else. I find that the RoK tend to weaken when compared to other religions as you get into the late game.

When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?

If you're going for Runes you'd usually take mysticism first for the boost from elder councils.

Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
As the Luchuip I sometimes go OO first to switch to neutral to get dwarvern druids. Sometimes I switch religions to change allignment to coincide with the majority of other civs, as long as I don't have too many good heroes that I don't want to lose.

Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?

As in playing with no religion? Hell no.

As in avoiding a specific religion? Yes, I don't usually convert to a religion just because it spreads to me, I'm not an AI . Most specifically, I avoid the AV. Dislike the religion.

If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?

Hmmm. Some religions, if not all religions, give you a free disciple when you research them, so unless I really needed the holy city for my strategy I would just keep going and research it anyway. If I was only just beaten then I still have a good chance to get the heroes/wonders before the other civ.

 

[brucedecatz]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
Immortal. Either get run-over early or a boring push-over in the endgame, by then I usually quit.

2. Do you play multi-player?
No.
3. What game speed do you use?
Epic.
4. What map size do you use?
5. What map type do you use?
Tectonic standard (which is larger than the usual standard), either 60% water or lakes.

6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
Living world. Still not many events to my liking.

7. What version do you typically play?
FFH 0.33.
8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
Malakim, Elohim, Lojsofar, the Dwarves.

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
Empyrean.
2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
It is after the trade path, rather safe to get, and Chalid is the only defense needed.
3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
Playing as the Dwarfs or the Elves it is silly not to get to their intended religions.

4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
Quite. I often restart if I seriously fail, but not always. If I can adopt the religion of my neighbour to avoid war and protect myself, I continue the game (had one game as the Elohim adopting my neighbour's Order then Empyrean, getting an altar victory).


5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
No serious attempt after the first one.
6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
Fishing, Calendar or Education may help depending on the situation. Cartography depending on the map size.

7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
When someone else found a religion but no one follows it, and I did not found any. At least I have another hero to build, which makes up for the diplomatic penalty.

8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
No.
9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
Maybe, depends on how high the likelihood I can build the hero ahead of the AI I may or may not pursue/adopt another one.

 

[Caradoc]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?

Monarch

2. Do you play multi-player?

No

3. What game speed do you use?

Standard

4. What map size do you use?

Standard

5. What map type do you use?

Archipelago (Sto's Full of Resources). Toroid. 3 extra AIs

6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?

Game Settings: Raging barbarians, No AI reqts, Barb Word, Double Animals, Double resources, Double events.

Map Settings: Many starting animals, no ice, trace tundra/desert/snow/peaks, extra rivers, much forest, much jungle, much hills

7. What version do you typically play?

Varies. All popular modmods.

8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?

Amurites, Balseraphs, both Elves, Clan, Lunun.


Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?

FoL

2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?

Ancient forests, Bloom, Yvain

3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?

Sometimes I will switch religions based on situation. E.g. once Ancient Forests are grown, I will switch Elves to Runes or Order.

4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?

Always make the effort.

5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?

Yes. FoL then RoK or Order is most common. With Lanun I will go OO.

6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?

The religions themselves are long term projects. I will always divert for agriculture/animal husbandry/education unless I am trying to beat out the Ljos for FoL.

7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?

Switch when I have already got the main benefits. FoL=AncForests, RoK=economy

8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?

I don't like to play Empyrian or Ashen Veil. Just a matter of taste.

9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?

Yes. I plan to eventually move to one that I have founded.

 

[hbar]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?

Monarch usually, but I've dropped down to prince now that the team started work on the AI. I usually role-play more than I min/max, so that takes some steam out of my game.​

2. Do you play multi-player?

No​

3. What game speed do you use?

Normal almost always, too many features become unbalanced otherwise.​

4. What map size do you use?

Standard. I don't have patience for Huge maps - I've abandoned too many games because they become tedious after ~300 turns​

5. What map type do you use?

Creation almost exclusively​

6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?

Raging Barbs, No tech brokering, double bonii, barbarian cities, double events​

7. What version do you typically play?

0.33e lately (I haven't had time to play with patch g yet). I've also been trying out fall further, but the interface delay is killing me. I would love to play Marnok's Explorable Lairs if he would ever update it for 0.33​

8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?

Balseraphs (Keelyn) mostly and Elohim (especially with the new changes in fall further), also I love the idea of the Amurites, but I don't think they're complete yet.​

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?

With Keelyn, I go OO or Esus for the early Archmages. Also, OO helps with the Bals culture wars.​

2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?

OO has a lot of versatility - Tower of Complacency is nice on its own, the culture is a huge boost, drowns and lunatics hold down the melee line and Hemah puppets for the win! Esus is very nice as well, the shrine is overpowered and the undercouncil has a lot of interesting strategy.​

3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?

Obviously, water coverage plays into the decision between the two I mentioned. Otherwise, it depends on how I'm feeling Lately, I've been experimenting with how different promos affect puppets, and mobility is a huge help - early horseback riding pushed me toward Esus​

4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?

Not very. I like the Arcane line, so if I miss my religious target, I'll just go for sorcery and take whatever spreads.​

5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?

I always try to get Kilmorph into my cities for the gold bonus.​

6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?

Economic techs are crucial. I'm of the camp that thinks BW for chopping is broken and unfair, so I'll whine about having to go Melee when I plan on winning with cultists and fireballs, but such is life. If I were ambitious, I'd have a modmod.​

7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?

Only rarely will I switch for diplo. Otherwise, its so situational that it would be irrelevant for an AI mod.​

8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?

AV = Hell = bad in most cases. All others are beneficial in some way.​

9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?

Like above, I'll usually just go on with my main strat and take what comes. I don't typically play a religious game, so I'm flexible.​

 

[euripides]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?

usually monarch, sometimes emperor, but i dont like AIs start with mining

2. Do you play multi-player?

nope

3. What game speed do you use?

standard in most cases, sometimes epic

4. What map size do you use?

standard or large

5. What map type do you use?

creation, big and small and balanced/pangäa

6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?

more events, blue marble terrain

7. What version do you typically play?

most recent one, if it doesn´t destroy my latest game

8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?

a new one for each game


Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?

the order

2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?

infinite happiness, good for military, strong heroes

3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?

with some civs i choose it lorewise (elves FOL, Khazad Runes) or if i want to play evil I take AV ofc (so depends on mood sometimes)

4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?

its only a priority if i want to go Altar victory, to get a fast start on prophets

5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?

only if they are still available very late and it have superior GNP

6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?

worker techs: agriculture 1st, mysticism 2nd (for the councils), education(if theres much cottageable land), mining( if i can get gold or gems from it)

7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?

only if I get an overwhelming diplo-situation on me, but that´s very rare

8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?

I don´t think so

9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?

only if i haven´t invested much in the particular tech and can grab another instead asap, but most cases i just take the disciple

 

[Yashkaf]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?

FfH :Immortal usually, Emperor if I want to try non-optimal strategies, Deity if I'm going for all the exploits just to beat it and don't mind restarting. On BtS Monarch-Emperor.

Do you play multi-player?

No.

What game speed do you use?

Normal is the best fit. Units don't get outdated as fast in FfH and any longer is too long to research anything.

What map size do you use?

Huge, with as many civs crammed in as possible.

What map type do you use?

Usually fractal or tectonics, Big and Small if I want to leave some unexplored islands.

If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?

Aggressive AI (war is more fun, no boring late game tech races), Living World (double the fun), Last Days (AC never seems to get high enough), better alignments (Fall Further option, I do this to avoid everybody becoming nice and friendly just because they worship some rock runes). I usually played with Perm. Alliances but I seemed the only one who ever got into one. I hoped two weak players would ally against a dominating opponent, but they don't do it even when friendly and fighting together.

What version do you typically play?

Latest 0.33 so far, just finished my first game in FF and I'll stick to that in the near future.

What Civilization(s) do you typically play?

So far I've played extensively: Perpentach, Ethne, Decius (Bannor), Faeryl, Jonas, Cassiel. New game with Tebryn.

Quiz 1 (Religion):

What is your favorite religion?
Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?

Never seem to found any on Immortal/Deity excpet for OO, so I've learned to like it. Otherwise I just stick with whatever is dimplomatically wiser or for special strategies (Empyrean to become neutral and get dominating druids with Balseraphs). I usually play an aggressive style so I like FoL for the better tiles and production and OO for the cultist-stygian unstoppable tsunami combo of doom. I guess with the Ljos I'd go for FoL at all times, as well as AV for the Sheaim and other similarly obvious choices. The problem with FoL and RoK are lousy heroes, if I don't have a strong civ hero or a strong military base (a bunch of high level units that keep upgrading through the tiers) I'd go with AV or something for the heroes. If for some reason I don't fight, RoK is the best economically.


How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?

If I have a specific religion that fits me (FoL-Ljos) I'll try to get it. Otherwise it's usually a low priority and I adapt to whichever disciple comes. On deity FoL and RoK are impossible even with a couple of perfect goody huts, and everything else except for OO gets usually taken as well. OO depends on the Lanun, they're the only ones who seem to want it, even if it doesn't make a lot of sense for them (If your ships control the seas anyway, you don't need stygians. And you still suck away from the shore).

Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?

If I think I have a really good shot at getting them, no matter which one (great prophets, goody huts ..)

When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?

I don't 100% follow the phrasing of the question. The religion's path IS all the techs essential to it. Anyways, I bas emy religion choice upon the techs I'm getting anyway (If I have gold and gems at my capital and I'm hitting mining anyway, might as well get RoK..) On Deity you need an early conquest to get going, so I pick one 2nd tier resource tech (calendar/fishing/mining) and then straight to military techs (warfare/BW/horseback). Conquering a holy city is cheaper than founding it, and much more fun. BW is half the beakers of any religion tech, and prayers don't do much against a swarm of bronzed warriors.

Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?

1. Make friends with a dominant religious alliance to avoid getting attacked. Not only for religion modifier, I might have to become neutral for overcouncil for example.
2. Special strats (druids).
3. If I have the techs to nab a strong late game religious hero.

Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?

Hard to imagine. Maybe If I want to stay neutral during a world war, for example with Loki flipping conquered cities on both sides.

If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?

If I haven't started on the founding tech I probably will. If I have, might as well get it unless it's founded by my neighbor.

 

[Mailbox]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
   Monarch to Immortal
2. Do you play multi-player?
   No.
3. What game speed do you use?
   Normal-Marathon
4. What map size do you use?
   Small-Large
5. What map type do you use?
   Random Map Script, Creation Method Pangaea or Terra.
6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
   Living World and Aggressive AI, sometimes Raging Barbs
7. What version do you typically play?
   Either Vanilla, MEM, or FF with MEM added.
8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
   Khazad, Elohim, Lanun, Bannor

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
   Runes of Kilmorph
2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
   High gold, synergy with God King if holy city is the capital, production boosts from the Soldiers of Kilmorph
3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
   Going for the Order is sometimes fun and viable if I'm planning on a military heavy game. Or the CoE if I plan on being a bit more subtle later on.
4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
   Founding is a pretty high priority for the two early religions (FoL and RoK), I try to found the religion in my capital if at all possible. Sometimes, I'll camp settlers out on potential spots and found the cities after the tech is discovered.
5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
   I found RoK first and then switch to either CoE or Order.
6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
   If the terrain is flat enough and without trees I might detour to grab cottages (if I'm not playing MEM). Mining is great but it's in the path, but I research it after Mysticism.
7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
   Usually in the later game when I want the more powerful heroes or interesting mechanics. RoK -> CoE or Order
8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
   I don't get AV because of Hell Terrain and Hyborem and I only found OO if I have a lot of coastal cities.
9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
   Depends, if I'm just starting to research the tech I'll go research more important things or beeline a later religion.

 

[QES]

Quiz 0 (Foundation):

1. What difficulty level do you typically play on in single-player?
   • Monarch
     
2. Do you play multi-player?
   • No.
     
3. What game speed do you use?
   • Normal. My computer whines at me at anything longer. Well, or rather i whine at it for it taking so long.
     
4. What map size do you use?
   • Standard. Same reasons as above.
     
5. What map type do you use?
   • Continents, gives a good mix of everything.
     
6. If you use any non-default game settings (such as no barbarians/raging barbarians) what are they?
   • Cities may be peacefully recaptured after conquest. Sometimes an accelerated start (not often).
7. What version do you typically play?
   • Base mod. I dont usually do mod-mods.
     
8. What Civilization(s) do you typically play?
   • It vary's, and I like them all. But i tend toward neutral civs with an economic focus.
     

Quiz 1 (Religion):

1. What is your favorite religion?
   • None. But Runes of Kilmorph seems to be a solid "get" for me.
     
2. Why is your favorite religion your favorite religion?
   • It's low on the tech tree, and can function as a good "filler" to grab before someone else does. The bonus gold is nice, but the regular aspects of religion: Happy Faces, culture, etc - are there the primary reason to get it. Plus it's on the same path as bronze working - which is crucial for forested areas and defence/offense.
     
3. Does the religion you prefer vary depending on some factor(s)? If so, what factors are those, and which religions do you prefer accordingly?
   • It vary's on my mood. Runes for quick money/efficiency. FOL for turtling and huge cities. Octopus Overlords - rarly. Ashen Vale when I want to feel evil or get Hybroem. And Order ONLY when i want to get Basium or go on a crusade. Empryian seems like it should be my favorite - but it's too far down the tree, and i still dont know what it "does" precisely. Same with Council of Essus.
     
4. How high of a priority is founding a religion? Does this priority vary? If it does, what does it vary on?
   • If i want to be any religion - I better damn well found the thing.
     
5. Do you attempt to found multiple religions? If so, which, and in what order?
   • I should, simply to get the income, but i dont, because i dont like other religions 'polluting' my cities.
     
6. When attempting to obtain a religion, are there any other technologies that are essential either to gaining that religion that aren't directly in that religion's path, or that are important enough to delay going directly for that religion?
   • Education. Everytime I DONT get education, and early, i go bankrupt. There are NO economies that are viable outside of it. I ALWAYS automate my workers (I severely hate micromanaging) and a farm-economy just isnt viable, unless i dont care about research at all - even then i go bankrupt.
     
7. Under what circumstances will you switch religions? Is there a particular planned order for switching religions?
   • Rarely. I'd have to want a later religion "for flavour" and use another one to 'suffiice' until I got it.
     
8. Are there any circumstances under which you'll avoid any religion?
   • I avoid whatever is 'biggest' in the world unless I founded it.
     
9. If you're attempting to found a religion, and another player founds it first, will this change your religious strategy?
   • I will either try and found another religion "like" the style i wanted, or restart. If religion's important to me that game, anyway. Otherwise, I'm not religiously focused, and dont care too much about it one way or the other.
     

-Qes