He was lucky enough to find el dorado and settle it around turn 20. That in combination with natural wonder faith helped the early culture/faith output a lot plus a shrine as first build in almost each city. So no, he opened piety and filled it, the free settler came from el dorado. Going piety immediately was the right play imo since shrines and temples are top priority builds in each city. Putting 3 points into liberty first would be a huge waste of time, delaying religious buildings a lot. After filling out piety he indeed opened liberty which i didnt quite understand. He was going for the extra hammer, but i doubt that was worth it.
He researched philo early probably with the idea that the oracle would be a huge help in his setup but then never came around building it. Since his culture output was fine during the game i thought and still think that going for philo was a mistake and rushing the great wall instead would be the correct play.
He researched philo early probably with the idea that the oracle would be a huge help in his setup but then never came around building it. Since his culture output was fine during the game i thought and still think that going for philo was a mistake and rushing the great wall instead would be the correct play.