I play tall Tradition empires, and go for Science, Diplomatic and Cultural victories. I find it hard to defend my cities, and tricky to balance when to make units with when to tech up and grow. I play lots of MP in the NQ group.
What are the best ways to defend tall peaceful empires?
The first choice is what pantheon to take. I could either pick something that directly benefits my empire like growth, culture, production or faith, or go for a defensive bonus. Most games that I play end up with my cities being besieged and taken by large amounts of ranged and naval units. The two defensive Pantheons are "Goddess of Protection" with +30% increase in city ranged combat strength (stacks with Oligarchy) and "Faith Healers" which heals units adjacent to cities by +30 HP a turn. Which is better? Should I ignore both and pick a more useful pantheon?
When I play, I often convince myself I don't need walls "yet," until 10 archers or 10 frigates show up at the gates, and at that time I'm too focused rushing out units. What defensive buildings or wonders have the best bang for the buck (hammers?) and when do I build them? What are the best garrison units?
These are other questions that come up:
- What are the core units I should be defending with?
- Do I build barracks/armories/milacademies just for a small defensive army?
- Do I defend an area ahead of my city or pull back and bunker down directly around the city?
- Do I upgrade the few core units or disband and pump out new ones with those +EXP upgrades?
- Which particular units are amazing at defense? Frigates, artillery, crossbows?
- Late-game, should I focus on building an air-force for flexible defense?
- Is it worth it to build forts when they can be used against you?
What are the best ways to defend tall peaceful empires?
The first choice is what pantheon to take. I could either pick something that directly benefits my empire like growth, culture, production or faith, or go for a defensive bonus. Most games that I play end up with my cities being besieged and taken by large amounts of ranged and naval units. The two defensive Pantheons are "Goddess of Protection" with +30% increase in city ranged combat strength (stacks with Oligarchy) and "Faith Healers" which heals units adjacent to cities by +30 HP a turn. Which is better? Should I ignore both and pick a more useful pantheon?
When I play, I often convince myself I don't need walls "yet," until 10 archers or 10 frigates show up at the gates, and at that time I'm too focused rushing out units. What defensive buildings or wonders have the best bang for the buck (hammers?) and when do I build them? What are the best garrison units?
These are other questions that come up:
- What are the core units I should be defending with?
- Do I build barracks/armories/milacademies just for a small defensive army?
- Do I defend an area ahead of my city or pull back and bunker down directly around the city?
- Do I upgrade the few core units or disband and pump out new ones with those +EXP upgrades?
- Which particular units are amazing at defense? Frigates, artillery, crossbows?
- Late-game, should I focus on building an air-force for flexible defense?
- Is it worth it to build forts when they can be used against you?