GOTM 138 Spoiler

[Prof. Garfield]

Well, here is my progress over the first six turns. The Romans have Byblos, but I seem to have taken the momentum out of the invasion. Unfortunately, the Dependent Nations declared war, but so far they haven't done too much damage.

(1) Jan 1871: Steal Advanced Flight from Syracuse. Bomber dies attacking stack protected by Battleship. Decision made to evacuate Byblos; sell airport. Engage in antisubmarine action. Scouting destroyer west of Alexandria reveals vulnerable invasion force. Bomber dispatched, kills 5 units in transport stack. Taxes to 40%, luxuries to 30%. Sold some improvements. Rushed military units.

(2) Feb 1871: Minimal defenses of Byblos are overrun. Large counterattack, including bombing raid on Alexandria with 3 bombers (killed with fighter from El-Amarna). Begin researching Robotics. Battleship kills 2 transports and 8 units that stopped beside it. 7 unit transport stack killed at the coast south of Abydos. Fighter from carrier gets a bomber.

(3) Mar 1871: I have no navy at sea north of the home island, but the AI left an undefended transport right outside of Hieraconpolis, which had 6 units in the stack.

(4) Apr 1871: Roman troops land south of Heliopolis. Romans attack Memphis, and capture it with paratroopers. Memphis will cost 1288 to bribe, investigate city to find it is only defended by 1 paratrooper and very few units are around the city. Kill fully loaded transport. Sold sewers this turn. Launch invasion of Palmyra from Alexandria.

(5) May 1871: Romans develop Combined Arms. Disorder in Alexandria due to forces at sea. Price for Memphis down to 606, and more units are inside. Steal Combined Arms from Romans. Bribe Memphis, and get 4 vet cruisers, 3 vet Battleships, 3 destroyers, a paratrooper and a fighter. Attack Palmyra, kill 2 marines, take city (37g); Romans demand 1000 gold, refused. Trade Combined Arms to Vikings for Labour Union. Attempt a tech trade with Dependent Territories, and they declare war when I refuse to give 400 gold. Trade Combined Arms to the Persians for Espionage. Rush a spy in Palmyra.

(6) June 1871: Dependent cruise missiles kill a battleship. Roman transport arrives and deploys counterattacking forces at Palmyra. Thebes builds Oil Freight. Sell Palmyra coastal fortress and leave city with spy and artillery piece (attack force had a tank and 3-4 marines). Diophantine protected by 4 Mech. inf and a fighter. Steal Nuclear Power from Dependent territories.


Status
Roman Objectives: 26
Spanish Objectives: 9
Gold: 966
Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.): 2--4--4--6--1
Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers):9--4--0
Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- Battleships -- Submarines):7--4--8--3
Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers):15--2--1
Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy): 3 -- 1 -- 9 -- 2

Casualties:
Spanish Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.):3--3--3--11--0
Spanish Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers):1--0--0
Spanish Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- Battleships -- Submarines): 7 -- 8 -- 4--7
Spanish Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers):8--4--0
Spanish Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy):0--0--1--0

Roman Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.):3--4--2--16--0
Roman Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers):20--11--0
Roman Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- Battleships -- Submarines):11--8--6--16
Roman Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers):1--10--1
Roman Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy):0--0--13--0

 

[Prof. Garfield]

Here's my progress up to turn 24. I've made some progress, including taking 2 Roman Objectives on their main island. Also the Vikings and the Carthaginians declared war on the Romans (and I established an alliance with the latter civilization). Also, I've been able to make some deliveries to the nearby island of Malaca.

(7) July 1871: Romans liberate Palmyra. Bribe Byblos for 383 gold, get 24 units, mostly fighters; now have 36 fighters. Get kill 7 unit transport stack.

(8) August 1871: Dependents kill a transport with a freight, and land troops near Pi-Ramesses. Romans and Vikings cancel Peace Treaty!

(9) Sept 1871: Sold aqueducts.

(10) October 1871: 1 cruise missile kills a battleship. Romans capture Viking city of Larne. Vikings capture Roman city of Pisae.

(11) November 1871: Romans capture Viking city of Ravning Enge. Romans demand 1000 gold; refused. Steal Rocketry from the Dependent nations.

(12) December 1871: I get the Persians to declare war on the Dependent Territories in exchange for Labor Union.

(13) January 1872: United Nations forces Persians to make peace with the Dependent Territories. 2 or 3 battleships lost in combat.

(14) February 1872: Romans liberate Pisae. Robotics discovered (a little disappointing, because the Persians discovered it this turn as well). Begin researching the Laser. Science to 0%, begin selling off libraries and universities.

(15) March 1872: Several fighters lost due to poor commands.

(16) April 1872: Establish an alliance with the League of Carthage. Thebes dye (d) to Malaca for 896 gold. Thebes Wine (nd) to Malaca for 448 gold. Each route worth 28 trade. Rush offshore platforms in Elphantine and El-Amarna.

(17) May 1872: League of Carthage at war with Romans. Vikings take Pisae again. Miraculously, the transport that delivered goods to Malaca survived.

(18) June 1872: Abydos airport. Thebes oil (d) to Malaca for 1568 gold. Abydos silk (d) to Malaca for 1100 gold. Treasury up to 5733 gold, spent down to 3853 in the turn.

(19) July 1872: 3 battleships produced. Decide to invade main Roman island instead of outlying territories. It will allow me to secure the sea between the two islands, while other invasions would require significant naval escort for all reinforcements. Other invasions would also put me at risk of invasion by Dependent forces. Finally, being able to safely trade with Carthage is a big draw.

(20) August 1872: League of Carthage captures Ravning Enge, but Roman partisans take it back. Romans develop Rocketry. Romans take Pisae back from the Vikings. Put 2 spies on main Roman island; Antium defended by only 1 Alpine troop.

(21) September 1872: Carthaginians take Ravning Enge again. Launch 16 unit invasion force, and hope that a battleship and AEGIS will protect them.

(22) October 1872: 2 Cruise Missiles used on Antium, city now has 5 units. Antium captured, city keeps factory and offshore platform!!! Romans demand 1000 gold.

(23) November 1872: Agrippina taken. Abydos dye (nd) to Malaca for 367 gold. Thebes gold (nd) to Malaca for 448 gold. Abydos oil (nd) to Malaca for 367 gold.

(24) December 1872: League of Carthage captures Verona, but Roman partisans and paratroopers retake it.

Status
Roman Objectives: 23
Egyptian Objectives: 12
Gold: 4618
Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.): 1--2--1--4--17
Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers): 15--2--9
Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships -- Submarines): 1--2--7--8--2
Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers):27--1--1
Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy): 3--1--8--4

Casualties:
Egyptian Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.):4--5--3--12--3
Egyptian Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers):1--1--0
Egyptian Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships -- Submarines):12--10--0--9--11
Egyptian Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers):16--5--0
Egyptian Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy):0--0--6--1

Roman Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.): 26--18--10--40--0
Roman Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers):60--28--0
Roman Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships - -- Submarines):54--24--0--10--27
Roman Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers): 7--28--5
Roman Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy):6--2--32--2

 

[URUWASHI]

GAME -
( January 1871 ) - Selling Improvements - Advance Flight Stolen From Romans, Alliance with Purple = Received Rocketry as Gift., Alliance with Persians = Rocketry x Spionage, Alliance with Vikings = Spionage x Labor Union, Alliance with Carthaginians, Alliance with Green x Railroad and Navigation -
Scouting Fighter , locates over 17 Naval Units West of Byblos - Evacuating all units to Main Land , leaving Veteran Battleship and Veteran Destroyer-
Cities Building and Rushing Mechanize Infantry in all cities -
( February 1871 ) - All Naval units relocated to Defend Hieracompolis and Menphis -
Romans take Byblos - Meet with Romans , Cease Fire -
Sold Universities , Aqueducts , and other high gold structures - Dismanteled Rifleman , artillery and transports to rush Cruise Missiles, Labor Unions and Spy's -
( March 1871 ) -
Zulu's , Persian and Carthaginians at War with Roman's-
Sold more infrastructure -
Status
Roman Objectives: ?
Egyptian Objectives: ?

Casualties:
Egyptian Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.): 0 - 0 - 2 - 0
Egyptian Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers): 1 - 0 - 0
Egyptian Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships -- Submarines): 4 - 1 - 0 -1 -1
Egyptian Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers): 1 - 2 - 0
Egyptian Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy): 1 - 0 -1 -2

Roman Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.): 0 - 0 -1 - 0
Roman Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers): 1- 0 - 0
Roman Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships - -- Submarines): 2 - 2 - 1 - 10
Roman Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers): 4 - 2 - 0
Roman Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy): 0 - 0 - 0 - 0
Massive armada protects Memphis Creating a Blockade
Romans , Break Cease Fire - All Allies join the war -

( April 1871 ) Spies sabotage several Units, destroyed then by Fighters, Mechanized Infantry hold several cities -
Memphis Taken by Roman at a High Price, they loss massive amounts of ships -
( May 1871 )
Asyut , Bulit at 89.85 - Viking Stronghold - Airport will be built ASAP
Spies, take Memphis Back to Our control - Vikings loose 4 units - Zulues Lost 2 - Carthaginians 20 - Purple Losses 4 -
Several Transports destroyed carring full loads by Fighters -
Roman Objectives: ?
Egyptian Objectives: ?

Casualties:
Egyptian Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.): 5 - 0 - 4 - 5
Egyptian Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers): 2 - 0 - 0
Egyptian Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships -- Submarines): 9 - 5 - 5 - 7
Egyptian Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers): 8 - 7 - 5
Egyptian Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy): 1- 5 - 2 - 2
Total Yellow Losses = 72

Roman Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.): 0 - 5 - 17 - 0
Roman Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers): 28 - 9 - 0
Roman Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships - -- Submarines): 13 - 13 - 0 - 5 - 18
Roman Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers): 4 - 7 - 13
Roman Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy): 3 - 0 - 13 - 0
Romans = 143
( June 1871 ) -
Massive Attacks by Carthageninas weakened seveal Roman Cities located on Island 20 and 51 -
Carthageninas lose 42 Units -
We Only lost 75 so far ( only three this Turn ) , Romans lost ( 180, 37 this turn ), Vikings lost 12 - Purple 10.
Londinuim Taken from Romans - ( 26.98 ) - Cease Fire with Romans -

 

[Ali Ardavan]

Status at start
Citizens: 159; Cities: 11; Techs: 72; Government: Democracy
Gold: 1243; Cost: 311; Trade routes: 0D0F;
Wonders: Shakespeare, Leo, Bach, SETI
Units: 3 None Engineers, 13 defenders, 17 Marines, 12 ground assault units, 20 airplanes, 37 warships, 10 transports, 5 diplomats, 0 vans
Objectives: 10; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
Roman: 25 objectives, 35 cities, 72 techs; Pyramids, Magellan, 3 obsolete wow; war with me; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
green: 0 objectives, 28 cities, 26 techs; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
Viking: 11 objectives, 25 cities, 75 techs; Newton, Cure, 1 obsolete wow; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
Persian: 15 objectives, 20 cities, 74 techs; Michelangelo, Suffrage, 2 obsolete wow; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
Carthaginian: 10 objectives, 13 cities, 74 techs; Adam Smith, Hoover; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
purple: 15 objectives, 31 cities, 78 techs; UN, 1 obsolete wow; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea


Date Notes

1871/01 Hippo, Antium, Syracuse have 18, 17, 18 visible units inside. All three have city walls and coastal fortress. Capturing these cities, and holding on to them, with my kind of forces is out of the question. Cheapest city there needs more than 3K to bribe.
Advanced Flight stolen from Rome.
Carthaginians offer alliance, which I gladly accept, and sell Genetic Engineering for 100g.
Vikings sell Labor Union for 800g and agree to alliance.
Genetic Engineering, Labor Union -> Persian -> Espionage, alliance
Genetic Engineering, Espionage -> purple -> Rocketry, Nuclear Power
6 Roman subs and 1 destroyer killed. 1 vet fighter lost.
5 Mass Transits sold. T4L3S3
1871/02 Carthaginians go to war with Romans and kill several Roman units. Romans attack Byblos and lose 3 destroyers, 1 cruiser, 1 carrier, and 1 battleship. They kill 10 of the 17 units in Byblos. They sink 2 battleships near Byblos losing one bomber. Romans kill an Alpine and fighter in the airfield next to Byblos. They sink an empty transport near Abydos. They also lose a bomber attacking Abydos and kill one of its defenders. They also retaliate against Carthaginians and kill many units.
-> Robotics. 2 Recycling centers sold. Ayut founded on the heartland. T5L3S2
My power is Inadequate. Allies -> 0g
6 Roman bombers, 2 subs, 1 cruiser, 3 destroyers, 1 battleship, and 2 Riflemen killed. 2 Roman transports heading for heartland sank for a total of 10 units. 2 Roman transports heading for El-Amarna sunk killing a total of 8 units. 2 fighters, 2 subs, 2 destroyers, and 1 battleship lost. Due to lack of ship chaining sacrificed a transport to take 8 defenders to Byblos.
1871/03 Carthaginians kill several Roman units. Romans kill 4 naval units losing one. Romans attack Byblos killing 3 marines and losing 2 units and El-Amarna losing one. Roman sub killed in attack on my battleship. Romans land near Abydos killing 5 defenders and losing a few.
2 SAMs built.
9 Roman invaders killed. 1 Roman bomber , 1 destroyer, 1 Rifleman, and 1 cruiser killed. 2 transport killed for a total of 4 units. Lost a destroyer and a bomber.
1871/04 Carthaginians kill several Roman units. Romans sink a destroyer and lose one. 2 more Roman units land near Abydos. Romans attack Memphis and kill an alpine. Roman bombers kill all 3 defenders in the air field near Byblos losing one bomber. Romans naval attacks cost me a fresh vet AEGIS, and some cruisers and them several cruisers.
2 Roman invaders killed. Significant naval battles with many casualties on both sides. 3 Roman bombers killed. Battleship kills final defender of Roman Palmyra. The city is taken for 44g and coastal fortress. I originally attacked it to divert Romans from my heartland but that tactic did not work. 5 Roman partisans appear; 2 killed.
1871/05 Carthaginians kill several Roman units. Romans develop Combined Arms. Romans launch a major naval attack on Memphis and kill several defenders but lose many ships thanks partly to vet Mech Infantry in coastal fortress.
Roman partisans around Palmyra killed. Domestic offshore Oil for a mere 154 establishes the first trade route. Gave Rocketry and Nuclear Power to Persians and Vikings to get them to declare war against Romans. Should have done this sooner. Purple wants 6250 to declare war which I would not pay even if I had it. Green wanted Railroad and declared war when I refused.
1871/06 Carthaginians kill many Roman units. Persians do not attack Romans but Romans attack them; yes! Romans attack Memphis again and inflict some casualties but lose a lot of units on the fresh vet Mech infantry in coastal fortress. Vikings kill several Roman naval units. For the first time there was no attack on Byblos!
Several techs to green for peace but, like purple, they want too much money to go to war against Romans. Killed a few Roman naval units. T5L4S1 to get some celebrations. Labor Union -> Carthaginians; should have done this sooner.

Status after turn 6
Citizens: 165; Cities: 13; Techs: 78; Government: Democracy
Gold: 60; Cost: 304; Trade routes: 2D0F;
Wonders: Shakespeare, Leo, Bach, SETI
Units: 3 None Engineers, 11 defenders, 10 Marines, 8 ground assault units, 10 airplanes, 12 warships, 7 transports, 1 diplomat, 1 spy, 3 vans
Objectives: 10; Casualties: 19 land, 11 air, 30 sea
Roman: 25 objectives, 34 cities, 73 techs; Pyramids, Magellan, 3 obsolete wow; war with Vikings, Persians, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 56 land, 33 air, 93 sea
green: 0 objectives, 28 cities, 30 techs; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
Viking: 11 objectives, 25 cities, 77 techs; Newton, Cure, 1 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with me; Casualties: 0 land, 2 air, 7 sea
Persian: 15 objectives, 20 cities, 78 techs; Michelangelo, Suffrage, 2 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with me; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 2 sea
Carthaginian: 10 objectives, 13 cities, 75 techs; Adam Smith, Hoover; war with Romans, allied with me; Casualties: 21 land, 13 air, 9 sea
purple: 15 objectives, 31 cities, 80 techs; UN, 1 obsolete wow; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea

 

[Ali Ardavan]

At 1871/06

  [FONT="Courier New"]
              ProfGarfield   Uruwashi   AliArdavan
Roman          122            180        182
Egyptian        60             75         60
[/FONT]

 

[Ali Ardavan]

1871/07 Persians and Carthaginians kill many Roman units. Once again Romans attack Memphis and lose several naval units while killing some defenders. Roman invaders land between Alexanderia and El-Amarna. Viking allies land near Pi-Ramses.
8 cities are in celebration. Roman invaders, and the ship they came in, destroyed.
1871/08 Carthaginians kill a few Roman units. Vikings take Roman Corfinium just north of Rome! Once again Memphis survives Roman navy.
1871/09 Carthaginians and Vikings kill a few Roman units. Romans Steal Espionage from Vikings. Vikings take Pisae!
Combined Arms stolen from Roman Antium. Copper to Panormus for 1648 establishes the first foreign trade route worth a whopping 28! Viking -> 25g, Persian -> 75g
1871/10 Persians and Carthaginians kill some Roman units; they also ally with each other against Romans. Roman bombers attack Byblos and kill 4 units. Vikings land near Palmyra.
Robotics -> Space Flight.
1871/11 Persians, Vikings, and Carthaginians kill some Roman units. Romans keep attacking Memphis and losing. Romans take Pisae and Corfinium back from Vikings.
Oil from Thebes to Malaca for 1722 and a trade route worth 30! Dye to Banglore for 280. T4L4S2
1871/12 Persians, Vikings, and Carthaginians kill some Roman units. For the first time ever Romans are too busy battling my allies to attack me! My allies and I are in naval control of the sea between Egypt and Rome.

Status after turn 12
Citizens: 191; Cities: 13; Techs: 80; Government: Democracy
Gold: 1899; Cost: 318; Trade routes: 2D3F;
Wonders: Shakespeare, Leo, Bach, SETI
Units: 3 None Engineers, 9 defenders, 9 Marines, 8 ground assault units, 9 airplanes, 11 warships, 7 transports, 2 spy, 9 vans
Objectives: 10; Casualties: 23 land, 14 air, 36 sea
Roman: 25 objectives, 34 cities, 75 techs; Pyramids, Magellan, 3 obsolete wow; war with Vikings, Persians, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 110 land, 59 air, 128 sea
green: 0 objectives, 28 cities, 30 techs; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
Viking: 11 objectives, 25 cities, 78 techs; Newton, Cure, 1 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Carthaginians and me; Casualties: 10 land, 2 air, 33 sea
Persian: 15 objectives, 21 cities, 79 techs; Michelangelo, Suffrage, 2 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Carthaginians and me; Casualties: 1 land, 0 air, 14 sea
Carthaginian: 10 objectives, 13 cities, 76 techs; Adam Smith, Hoover; war with Romans, allied with Vikings, Persians, and me; Casualties: 45 land, 13 air, 17 sea
purple: 15 objectives, 31 cities, 81 techs; UN, 1 obsolete wow; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea

 

[Prof. Garfield]

This post contains the date I achieved a marginal defeat of the Romans, which is the objective of the Green Star competition. Don't read this if you want to avoid being influenced by my achievement date. (I personally don't mind if you use this information, particularly since I wasn't trying to get a marginal defeat as early as possible.)

Spoiler :

(25) January 1873: Carthaginians make peace with Romans. Take Brundisium, factory and offshore platform preserved again. Romans offer a cease-fire but I refuse.

(26) February 1873: Romans use bomber and paratrooper to liberate Brundisium. I take Brundisium again. Assault and capture Rome; Romans down to 19 objectives -- I qualify for Green Star. Take Hippo Regius.

(27) March 1873: Famine in Rome, but city builds factory I rushed last turn. Take Nicopolis. Take Seleucia.

(28) April 1873: Roman capital moved to Larne (of all places), then to Aurelianorum. Lose engineer to fighter attack. Disorder in El-Armana and Alexandria because of troop deployments for invasion of Diophantine. Attack Diophantine, city captured (factory intact). Syracuse captured (factory and platform survive). Pisae captured. Corfinium captured (factory and OP intact). Rush transport in Pisae (by rushing Palace and then switching).
(29) May 1873: Dependent helicopter kills 2 howitzers, which causes order to be restored in El-Armana and Alexandria. Cyrene captured. Veii captured. Aurelianorum captured (Roman government escapes to Caesaraugusta). Main Roman Island (continent 20) is mine except for a handful of partisans. Abydos gold (d) to Utica for 1750 gold. Memphis salt (nd) to Utica for 210 gold.

(30) June 1873: Discover The Laser, begin Nuclear Fission. Disorder in Byblos due to combination of troop deployment and black hat. Send transport of units to attack Cumae; spy finds it defended with 10 units. Decide to bribe city for 1613 gold because of the quantity of units and to preserve infrastructure.

(31) July 1873: Disorder in Giza. Decide to raise luxuries to 40% to combat disorder. Move troops in Diophantine to attack Palmyra, attack some units stationed outside the city and use fortress to house tank and 2 howitzers. 2 full transports of units, with several warships for protection set off to the southeast from Abydos. Taskforce even includes the Carrier and a couple fighters. Cruise Missiles and Bombers are rushed to land on the carrier to provide extra invasion support.

(32) August 1873: Romans and Dependent Territories sign secret alliance against Egyptians. Heliopolis Copper (d) to Carthage for 1920 gold, and Cloth (nd) delivered for 960 gold (routes worth 28). A transport load of units from Cumae joins the units sent to attack the city in the first place, all are going to attack the Dependent city of Fermat. Attacking Island 31 was chosen over the Roman Island 45 in order to build Airports for Freight to be delivered to Carthago Nova, and since the delay in capturing Island 45 won't delay the victory conditions. Take Palmyra (only defended by an Alpine Troop. Bessel defended by 2 Mech Inf, 1 Rifle, 1 AT, has helicopter, and no Coastal Fortress. Completion of a mine puts Rome over 50 shield production. Rush a lot of freight; with attack squads launched, I can spend a little time improving the economy in preparation for a more general conquest.

(33) September 1873: Persians land on Occupied Roman Island with marines, blocking important railway paths (but they withdraw when asked). Roman Bomber from Lutetia kills an armor in Veii. Roman Helicopter kills AEGIS in Diophantine. Diophantine produces freight instead of Mech Inf by mistake. Disorder in Cumae, as was planned. Fermat assaulted, only defended by 2 units. UN forces peace with Dependent Territories. Accidentally move carrier before a bomber had a chance to land (it returned to mainland).

(34) October 1873: Manufacturing Plants in Alexandria, Heliopolis, Cumae. Find out from Trade Advisor that Carthage (in disorder) is only at size 13, somehow. Dependent territories withdraw troops. Investigate Birka; city has tons of units.

(35) November 1873: 3 Roman fighters throw themselves against my AEGIS cruiser; I suspect it is because the Carrier has a bomber on it. Thebes builds Mfg Plant. Investigate Carthage to find only 5 citizens are working the land, and the city is starving. Rome oil (d) to Carthage for 1344. Ravenna is defended only by a rifleman and AEGIS; city captured, but there is no railway to the next city. Investigate Byzantium to find it is defended only by an Alpine Troop; cruise missile empties the city and it is captured (and the production facilities survive). Attempt to be cheap and use a fighter (instead of a missile) on Tyrus, but the rifleman defeats it. Tyrus captured. The Peace with Purple looks like it will last a little while, so I deploy most troops sent there to the nearest Roman Island. Rome Gold (d) to Utica for 1248; Thebes salt (nd) for 864, Aurelianourm salt (nd) for 500 gold.

(36) December 1873: Romans and Persians cancel peace treaty, and Romans and Dependent Territories cancel their alliance. Nuclear Fission, begin Genetic Engineering. I contact Hostile Vikings to demand troop withdrawal, and they declare war when I refuse to give 1000 gold. Bribe Roman Howitzer for 336 gold, and use it against Hispalis (along with 2 cruise missiles) to capture the city. Giza oil to Utica for 2492 gold. Bribe Eburacum for 580 gold, because I think a fighter is there interfering with airlifts to Byzantium (I can't check because of Spy movement points); it works, and I can airlift a freight from Rome. Vikings shoot down an oil airlift, however.

Status
Roman Objectives: 9
Egyptian Objectives: 27
Gold: 4017
Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.): 2--4--1--7--30
Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers): 15--1--28
Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships -- Submarines): 1-1-7-8-6
Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers): 26--2--1
Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy): 5--2--12--9

Casualties:
Egyptian Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.): 4--5--3--12--3
Egyptian Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers): 4--1--2
Egyptian Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships -- Submarines):12--11--2--9--11
Egyptian Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers): 17--6--0
Egyptian Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy):1--0--6--1

Roman Infantry (Partisans--Alpine--Riflemen--Marines--Mech. Inf.):103--47--30--46--0
Roman Artillery (Armor -- Artillery-- Howitzers):65--28--2
Roman Navy (Destroyers-- Cruisers -- AEGIS -- Battleships - -- Submarines): 70--24--5--10--28
Roman Air Force (Fighters -- Bombers -- Carriers--Helicopter):13--32--5--90
Roman Other (Engineer -- Paratrooper -- Transport -- Diplomat/Spy): 10--6--32--2

Statistics exclude cruise missiles, diplomats, freight
Egyptian: 27 Objectives, casualties 35 land, 23 air, 51 sea, 109 total; Shakespeare, Bach, SETI, Pyramids, 4 obsolete
Roman: 9 Objectives, casualties: 337 land, 135 air, 174 sea, 646 total; Magellan
green: 0 Objectives, casualties: 0; No Wonders
Viking: 11 Objectives, casualties: 59 land, 17 air, 75 sea, 151 total; Newton, Cure, Colossus
Persian: 15 Objectives, casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 4 sea, 4 total; Mike's, Women's, 2 obsolete.
Carthaginian: 10 Objectives, casualties: 27 land, 5 air, 26 sea, 58 total; Adam Smith, Hoover
purple: 14 Objectives, casualties: 35 land, 17 air, 133 sea, 185 total; UN, King Rich.

 

[Ali Ardavan]

This post contains the date I achieved a marginal defeat of the Romans, which is the objective of the Green Star competition. Don't read this if you want to avoid being influenced by my achievement date. (I personally don't mind if you use this information.)

Spoiler :

1872/01 Persians, Vikings, Carthaginians and Romans keep fighting. Again no Roman attacks. Foreign deliveries for 990, 515, 608; domestic deliveries for 337.
1872/02 Persians, Vikings, Carthaginians and Romans keep fighting. Roman Tyrus bribed for 1440g. Spy lost. Got 4 units and 9 structures; 3 partisans appear. Romans are still Supreme. Prepped for capture of Antium. Combined Arms -> Viking (3) -> Laser, 25g. Persian (5) -> 75g. Rocketry -> Carthaginian (1) -> 0g. T6L4S0.
1872/03 Persians, Vikings, Carthaginians and Romans keep fighting. Tyrus survives Roman attacks. Viking (3) -> 25g; Persian (5), Carthaginian (1) -> 75g. Roman helicopter bribed for 755g near Tyrus.
1872/04 Persians, Vikings, Carthaginians and Romans keep fighting. Oil to Panormus for 1330. Assault force of one full transport and a carrier with 12 air units attacks Roman heartland. Roman Antium is protected by a helicopter and a paratrooper; they easily fall to my forces and the city is captured. Proper placement of fighters insures no pesky partisans. Spy let loose on Roman railroad. Hippo, defended by a single alpine, is captured next and 3 partisans appear. Agrippina, defended by 3 units, is captured next and 3 partisans appear. Aureli, defended by a single alpine, falls next and 4 partisans appear. Nicopolis, with 2 defenders and 12 fighters inside, bribed for 1845g; spy turned vet; 3 partisans appear. Corfinium, defended by a single rifleman outside, is taken next. 2 partisans appear. Roman objectives are down to 20. Marginal defeat achieved. Cyrene, defended by 4 riflemen, is captured next and no partisans appear thanks to coverage by fighters. Seleucia, defended by 3 alpine and a helicopter, is attacked next and called off after too many losses (no more active howitzers). 9 partisans, transport with 5 units on board, and 2 more Roman units killed; 7 fighters lost. Viking (3) -> 25g; Persian (5), Carthaginian (1) -> 75g. T5L4S1
1872/05 Persians, Vikings, Carthaginians and Romans keep fighting. Roman partisans do some pillaging. Carthaginians capture Roman Byzantium.
Space Flight -> Plastics. Power jumped to Mighty. Space Flight -> Persian (4) -> 0g. Foreign deliveries for 140, 151, 257. Carthaginian (1) -> 150g.
Many Roman partisans killed. 3 defenders of Seleucia killed and the city captured. Next 3 defenders Syracuse killed and the city captured. Paratrooper captures Ravenna rendered defenseless by my allies. Veii bribed for 1608g. Spy escaped.
1872/06 Persians, Vikings, Carthaginians and Romans keep fighting. Roman partisans do some pillaging.
Foreign delivery for 384. Allies -> 0g.
Pisae, rendered defenseless by my allies, taken.

Status after turn 18
Citizens: 374; Cities: 26; Techs: 82; Government: Democracy
Gold: 555; Cost: 496; Trade routes: 4D11F;
Wonders: Shakespeare, Leo, Bach, SETI
Units: 6 Engineers (3 None), 15 defenders, 9 Marines, 2 paratroopers, 12 ground assault units, 13 airplanes, 11 warships, 8 transports, 4 spy, 2 vans
Objectives: 17; Casualties: 27 land, 27 air, 41 sea
Roman: 16 objectives, 20 cities, 75 techs; Pyramids, Magellan, 2 obsolete wow; war with Vikings, Persians, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 247 land, 90 air, 142 sea
green: 0 objectives, 28 cities, 33 techs; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
Viking: 11 objectives, 25 cities, 81 techs; Newton, Cure, 1 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Persians, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 23 land, 2 air, 49 sea
Persian: 15 objectives, 21 cities, 82 techs; Michelangelo, Suffrage, 2 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Vikings, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 3 land, 0 air, 32 sea
Carthaginian: 12 objectives, 14 cities, 77 techs; Adam Smith, Hoover, 1 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Vikings, Persians, and me; Casualties: 57 land, 20 air, 24 sea
purple: 15 objectives, 31 cities, 82 techs; UN, 1 obsolete wow; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea

 

[Ali Ardavan]

1872/07 Persians, Vikings, Carthaginians, and Romans keep fighting.
Domestic deliveries for 356, 131. Power is Supreme.
1872/08 Persians, Carthaginians, and Romans keep fighting. Persians briefly get a foot hold on island 49 by capturing Lugdunum only to lose it back to Romans. Romans sink my only (thankfully empty) carrier.
Massive Roman army near Brundusium attacked. Foreign delivery for 174.
1872/09 Persians, Carthaginians, and Romans keep fighting.
Roman forces near Brundusium destroyed. Domestic delivery for 63.
1872/10 Persians, Carthaginians, and Romans keep fighting.
Laser -> Persian -> Plastics.
6 defenders of Rome killed and the city taken for Pyramids, Marco, and 96g. Roman government escapes to Brundusium which was my next target anyway! Thanks to massive troop placement, no partisans appear. Roman Engineer bribed for 420g to make a railroad towards Brundusium. 5 defenders of Brundusium killed and the city captured. One partisan appears on a remote mountaintop.
1872/11 Persians, Carthaginians, and Romans keep fighting. Carthaginians capture Roman Hispalis.
-> Superconductor. Roman Cumae bribed for 915g. Spy escaped. Got 12 units and no partisans thanks to those units! Roman partisan bribed for 137g. Domestic delivery for 140. Foreign deliveries (to Utica) for 1056, 938.
1872/12 Persians, Carthaginians, and Romans keep fighting. Carthaginians capture Roman Ebucarum ending Roman presence in island 51.
Foreign deliveries for 896.

Status after turn 24
Citizens: 432; Cities: 29; Techs: 83; Government: Democracy
Gold: 3339; Cost: 580; Trade routes: 12D15F;
Wonders: Shakespeare, Leo, Bach, SETI, Pyramids, 2 obsolete wow
Units: 10 Engineers (3 None), 18 defenders, 12 Marines, 3 paratroopers, 17 ground assault units, 12 airplanes, 11 warships, 8 transports, 4 spy, 12 vans
Objectives: 23; Casualties: 32 land, 30 air, 43 sea
Roman: 9 objectives, 15 cities, 76 techs; Magellan; war with Vikings, Persians, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 321 land, 106 air, 149 sea
green: 0 objectives, 28 cities, 35 techs; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
Viking: 11 objectives, 25 cities, 84 techs; Newton, Cure, 1 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Persians, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 23 land, 2 air, 51 sea
Persian: 15 objectives, 21 cities, 84 techs; Michelangelo, Suffrage, 2 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Vikings, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 7 land, 0 air, 40 sea
Carthaginian: 13 objectives, 16 cities, 78 techs; Adam Smith, Hoover, 1 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Vikings, Persians, and me; Casualties: 63 land, 27 air, 26 sea
purple: 15 objectives, 31 cities, 82 techs; UN, 1 obsolete wow; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea

 

[Ali Ardavan]

Diplomacy and luck helped me a great deal in 1871 and 1872. Purple was a by stander while my allies (Vikings, Persians, and Carthaginians) and I beat the Romans up and chopped their territory into pieces. By the end of 1872, nearly two thirds of the Roman empire was conquered.

All that changed in Feb 1873 when purple sneak attacked me. All three of my allies declared war on purple and a massive war followed. One of the first casualties was one of my two invasion forces each of which would have reduced Roman objectives by two (from 9 to 5 objectives). The surviving one, in the southwest, succeeded and Romans were reduced to 7. The other theatre, southeast, had to wait much longer while casualities on all sides piled up.

Thank you Prof. Garfield for a well designed scenario. I have to admit after years of playing Civ2 I actually needed and used aircraft carriers for the first time in this game.

 

[Ali Ardavan]

1873/01 Persians, Carthaginians, and Romans keep fighting.
Superconductor ->Stealth. Rioting Gausston subverted for 2x1669g; spy lost. This would be my base for going after Roman Virconium, home of Magellan. Cantor founded across the gulf from Palmyra. Foreign deliveries for 344, 775, 651.
1873/02 Persians and Romans keep fighting. Purple sneak attacks and kills paratrooper defending Ravenna and take it with a paratrooper; I get 3 partisans. All my allies declare war on them. One massive war follows. They also render Palmyra defenseless, kill my transport with 5 units on board heading for island 49, kill 4 more transports carrying 6 vans altogether, raze defenseless Cantor, and kill many units of my allies. Vikings sign a peace treaty with them after attacking them some. In total purple loses 40 units.
I attack and kill many purple units. Transport full of units reaches Roman island 45. Spy investigates all 4 cities. Marines kill the single alpine defending Tarentum and take the city. Caesaraugusta is bribed for 943g; spy escaped; got 8 units. My 3 tanks and the many fighters from Caesaraugusta easily kill the 3 defenders of Neapolis and Londinium and take both cities. A total of 21 partisans appear! 8 are killed and 13 remain. Ravenna is taken back by partisans.
Oil to Carthage for 1246. Dometic delivery for 80.
1873/03 Persians and Carthaginians put up a massive fight against purple. Roman partisans do some pillaging on island 45.
All but two of the island 45 partisans killed and the remaining bribed for 147g each; Roman engineer bribed for 236g. Island 45 is now clear of Romans. Lisht founded south of Rome on hilltop. UN forces cease fire with purple. Lagrangeville bribed for 1840g; spy turned vet. 2 Partisans appear. Sunk 3 purple ships, downed 2 purple planes, and killed a purple partisan before UN forces another cease fire.
1873/04 Persians put up a massive fight against purple. Persians take purple cities of Holura, Calcutta, and Bengal. UN forces cease fire between purple and Carthaginians. Purple only attack Persians; then they enter into an alliance with Romans against me and declare war.
Carthaginian -> 100g. Many purple units killed. Size 1 purple Bergen on island 45 bribed for 62g; spy escaped; one partisan appears. UN forces cease fire again. Purple partisan bribed for 375g. Domestic delivery for 300.
1873/05 Persians sign peace with purple. Domestic delivery for 240.
1873/06 Carthaginians and Romans fight. Domestic delivery for 560. Foreign delivery for 988. Superconductor -> Carthaginian -> Nuclear Fission, 100g. Rioting Port Taylor subverted for 2x1515g; spy escaped; got 11 units. T6L4S0

Status after turn 30
Citizens: 569; Cities: 38; Techs: 85; Government: Democracy
Gold: 9; Cost: 782; Trade routes: 19D21F;
Wonders: Shakespeare, Leo, Bach, SETI, Pyramids, 2 obsolete wow
Units: 9 Engineers (3 None), 36 defenders, 10 Marines, 3 paratroopers, 16 ground assault units, 19 airplanes, 14 warships, 5 transports, 3 spy, 8 vans
Objectives: 27; Casualties: 47 land, 38 air, 51 sea
Roman: 7 objectives, 11 cities, 76 techs; Magellan; Allied with purple, war with Vikings, Persians, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 360 land, 115 air, 150 sea
green: 0 objectives, 28 cities, 36 techs; Casualties: 0 land, 0 air, 0 sea
Viking: 11 objectives, 24 cities, 85 techs; Newton, Cure, 1 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Persians, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 36 land, 2 air, 62 sea
Persian: 15 objectives, 24 cities, 85 techs; Michelangelo, Suffrage, 2 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Vikings, Carthaginians, and me; Casualties: 18 land, 3 air, 91 sea
Carthaginian: 13 objectives, 16 cities, 81 techs; Adam Smith, Hoover, 1 obsolete wow; war with Romans, allied with Vikings, Persians, and me; Casualties: 73 land, 44 air, 29 sea
purple: 13 objectives, 26 cities, 83 techs; UN, 1 obsolete wow; Allied with Romans; Casualties: 27 land, 39 air, 54 sea

 

[Ali Ardavan]

This post contains the date I achieved a decisive defeat of the Romans, which is the objective of the medals competition. Don't read this if you want to avoid being influenced by my achievement date.

Spoiler :

1873/07 Carthaginians, Vikings, and Romans fight. Purple sneak attack me and kill 9 units. All three allies declare war on them. Purple takes Byzantium and Leptis Parva from Carthaginians and defenseless Brundusium from me (how did I leave it defenseless?) I get 5 partisans. UN forces Vikings to have peace with purple.
Stealth -> Fusion Power. Brundusium taken back and no partisans appear. Stealth -> allies. UN forces cease fire. Domestic deliveries for 496, 135, 297.

1873/08 Persians. Carthaginians, and purple fight. Carthaginians take Leptis Parva and Byzantium back. UN forces peace on Carthaginians. Carthaginians and Romans fight. Declared war on purple at the suggestion of my great ally Persians. Reputation down to questionable. Deliveries to allies for 567, 720, 350, 560. Domestic deliveries for 462, 555. Roman Virconium bribed for 1156g; spy escaped. Got Magellan and 10 units. Romans get 2 partisans which are immediately killed. Roman objectives are down to 5. Decisive defeat achieved. 3 defenders of purple Bessel killed and the city taken; 3 partisans appear. UN forces cease fire. Diophantine bribed for 2560g; spy lost. Port Maclaurin bribed for 3120g. Spy lost. 3 partisans appear. UN forces cease fire.

1873/09 UN forces Persian purple peace. Carthaginians and Romans fight. Purple breaks its cease fire with me and kills 3 units. All three allies declare war on purple. Vikings dissolve alliance. Weierstrass captured. Domestic delivery for 720, 444. Another forced cease fire is broken to please my Carthaginian allies. Infrastructure (mostly universities) sold to raise cash to bribe Port Fourier for 3907g. Spy escaped.

1873/10 My allies fight purple who once again breaks cease fire and attacks me. Domestic deliveries for 478, 667, 872. Markov bribed for 2470. Spy lost. 3 partisans appear and are killed. Island 44 is purple free.

1873/11 My allies fight purple. Carthaginians also fight Romans. Fusion power -> Environmentalism. Domestic deliveries for 504, 385, 217. Roman island 49 is invaded. Artaxata captured. 10 partisans appear! This must be a record. 2 bribed for 130 each. Roman engineer bribed for 208g. Verona captured next. Another 10 partisans appear. My busy spy bribes four more patisans for 127g each. Jerusalem bribed for 971g; spy escaped. 5 more partisans appear. 8 partisans killed; 4 units lost. Punjab bribed for 944g; spy lost.

1873/12 My allies fight purple. Carrier on its way to Delhi with 7 air units survives purple helicopter but loses to purple fighter. Romans steal Fusion and kill many units on island 49. Two Roman partisans bribed on island 49. Caesarea bribed for 928g; spy lost. 5 partisans appear, all are killed. 2 vet Stealth fighters empty purple Ravning Enge from its defenders for the city to be captured by a helicopter. Domestic delivery for 1702, 672.

1874/01 My allies fight purple. Transport on its way to Ganges with 6 units on board is sunk by purple submarine. Purple razes Ravning Enge. Romans have been at or under 5 objectives since 1873/08. Victory condition achieved. Egyptianobjectives: 34. Roman objectives: 2

 

[Prof. Garfield]

I'm almost finished the game (I expect to complete the Blue Star in 5 or 6 turns from my current position in the game), but unfortunately Windows 7 decided to stop working on my computer, so I've been trying to solve that problem for the past week and a half. My medal date was 6 or 8 turns behind Ali's.

From my experience, this game demonstrates the relative uselessness of having a substantial navy. After invading the main Roman Island, the navy seemed to become rather useless. I did have a few cities building warships, but it almost felt like an obligation for the scenario rather than because they were exceptionally useful.

My use of warships was almost entirely to stack an AEGIS and a Battleship with all my transports and hope that stack wouldn't be defeated -- I don't think such a stack was even attacked. I used the starting carrier to bring a little air support and scouting fighters when I attacked the southern Roman Island (the one that goes off the map and didn't have enough railroad), but I didn't really miss it when it got damaged and couldn't help in attacking the next island. I did build one up north to help station bombers (acquired in a city bribe) near Persia.

 

[Ali Ardavan]

I am not sure why you feel a substantial navy is useless. Could it be due to an over expectation? Of course, anything in over abundance will lose its value rapidly and a navy is no exception.

As I have indicated before, this was the first time I actually used a carrier and it was instrumental in my invasion of the main Roman island. The carriers were also useful for the rest of the game, though not crucial. Of course I ended a lot earlier than you did since I never even bothered with the Blue star competition.

Obviously navy and air force are both secondary to ground units and that is no surprise. Among the two, the air units are more useful for Reconnaissance due to their longer range.

A big function of both navy and air force is to find and destroy approaching enemy transports and provide support for my invading transports. After that, I use them mainly to render cities defenseless ahead of my invasion.

Maybe what you meant is that large naval battles are not very useful. Surely if you can get to enemy cities, the most effective way to destroy large number of units (of all kinds including naval) is to identify the cities that support a large number of units and somehow capture or bribe them. Thus, large naval battles are useless unless you are so far from the enemy heartland that capturing such cities is simply out of the question. In this scenario the heartland of our main adversary was fairly close. All you needed to do was to protect your invading force for one turn. For necessary large naval battles you need adversaries who are at least 3-4 turns away from each other.

Nevertheless, this was quite an interesting scenario. Thanks for all your effort in its design.

 

[Nicol.Bolas]

Spoiler :

I underestimated the AI very big time, I had no idea it actually can take cities, even overseas.
I already got defeated.

i manged to make no signaficant losses to romans on turn 1, the RNG simply hated me. I didnt manage to kill any stacks

I tried to counterattacked the smaller islands, but my forces got destroyed on the way.
Then I started losing one after one city on teh mainland, simply no way to stop those BB's and romans teched para's on 2nd turn.

i did retake cities back but without coastal forces it was pointless anyway.

but I think its a great idea to make scenarios like this as GOTM

it was just too difficult for me, since I only play civ4 nowadays.

I didnt manage to do the diplomat tricks, because I had no idea I will actually lose cities.

 

[Prof. Garfield]

Here are my last turns, which include the dates I achieved the Medal Condition and the Green Star condition. I haven't taken status accounts, if anyone is interested, I will post them when I have a bit of time.

Spoiler :

(37) January 1874: Persian attacks reveal only 1 defender in some Roman cities on the Southeast Island. Vikings land troops on main Roman Island. Hippo Regius dye (nd -- was d until I investigated city) to Carthago Nova for 764 gold; Pi-Ramesses Salt for 574. Destroy Birka Courthouse, and bribe city for 2369 gold; get 22 units (but none of them are veteran). I accept Cease-Fire with Vikings -- a mistake since they didn't accept peace.

(38) February 1874: Rome Dye (d) to Rusucurru for 1968g. Alexandria spice (d) to Ganges for 798 gold. Tarentum defended only by Alpine troops; defeat with Battleship and take city (production facilities preserved). Caesaraugusta only had AT and diplomat, take city. Take Neapolis. Bribe several partisans for 212 gold. Take Lundinium.

(39) March 1874: Roman Bomber kills battleship in port. Cruise Missile kills only defender in Arretium; take city. Pay 200 gold each for some partisans. Take Pompeii (only defended by 1 unit). Alexandria gold (d) to Rusucurru for 1836 gold. Heliopolis salt (nd) to Leptis Magna for 804 gold; Veii spice (nd) for 790. Take Caesarea (1 defender). Take Gordion (1 defender). Corfinium dye (d) to Euler for 395g. Laser to Persians for Genetic Engineering, but they cut off discussion before I can get plastics. ROMAN DECISIVE DEFEAT.

(40) April 1874: Romans steal Espionage! Begin Space Flight (only option). Bribe Viroconium for 1380 gold; get Magellan's Expedition. Take Verona. Pay 217 gold each for 2 vet NON howitzers. Take Jerusalem. Take Artaxata. Romans offer me 250 gold for cease-fire, but I refuse. Take Lutetia. Bribe Nicomedia for 400 gold. Take Lugdunum. Alexandria salt (nd) to Utica for 1004. Abydos Gems (d) to Euler for 1044. Get Plastics from Persians; turn off science until I can get Space Flight from someone. Pi-Ramesses Oil (d) to Rusucurru for 1988 gold. Aurelianorum Gems (d) to Leptis Parva for 2472 gold. Giza Copper (nd) to Leptis Magna for 584.

(41) May 1874: Disorder in Birka due to troop deployment. Rome Manufacturing Plant brings city production to 86 shields. Decide a spotless reputation is not worth the cost to bribe Odense (1325 x 2, cheapest city available), especially since I am not completely sure it will end the cease-fire. 3 pronged attack against Vikings. Attack Odense with marines from Birka, reputation Honourable. Lose 4 marines, since none were vet (even one to Howitzer). Sea power isn't enough either (due to movement), and a rifleman still hangs on by a sliver (mech inf was also in city); I'm forced to kill the tank outside the city and land units to attack. Take Odense. Six defenders of Jarlshof killed with howitzers, city taken. Roskilde taken, almost 3 transports worth of units are part of the invasion force, although none of the transports have enough movement to get inside the city. Take Viborg. Veii dye (d) to Panormus for 1512g. Ellington has 5 bombers, 5 fighters, 3 mech; cost to bribe 5300 gold. Sabotage Skara Courthouse, bribe city for 1660 gold. Seleucia Gems (D) to Euler for 840g. Raze size 1 Roman city. Pay 900 gold for Space Flight (from Persians).

(42) June 1874: Begin Superconductor. Superconductor, begin Stealth. Investigate Trondheim, find it defended by at least 14 defensive units and has SDI (which will double defense against cruise missiles). Vet spy investigates other Viking cities, caught sabotaging a unit. Take Lunde. Make many non-demanded deliveries. Treasury rises from 8741 to 13825.

(43) July 1874: Disorder in a couple cities from production. Delhi defended by 7 Mech inf. I have enough howitzers to take that in my invasion force. Sneak attack Delhi. "The Senate chooses to allow this attack under the guise of a U.N. 'peacekeeping' mission." Ironic since I'm attacking the U.N. at Delhi. Reputation all the way down to despicable. Sabotage Ellington Courthouse and bribe city for 3271 gold (done before taking Delhi to avoid a possible government escape to that city); 16 units, including 7 bombers, acquired. Landing units around Delhi forces a cease-fire, which I violate. Take Delhi; govt escapes to nearby Madras. Take Ganges. Take Port Fourier. Take Port Taylor. Sabotage Gausston courthouse, bribe city for 2147. Take Karachi. Take Euler. Deliveries for 900, 686. Take Port Maclaurin. Take Bessel.

(44) August 1874: Sneak attack by green; Carthaginians declare war on green as well. Take Markov. Take Lagrangeville. Take Weierstrass. Bribe Hamburg for 2267 gold. Take Laplace Bay. Deliveries for 2520 (Diophantine oil to Leptis Magna (d)), 817, 692, 2858 (Antium oil (d) to Leptis Magna). MEDAL CONDITON ACHIEVED.

(45) September 1874: Stealth, begin Fusion Power. Hamburg builds Uranium Freight! Bribe Lahore for 2791 gold. Deliveries for 3108 (Syracuse silk (d) to Caralis), 744, 1232, 1260. Take Umfolosi from green using rushed carrier and bombers from Ellington; now I have a city on the Persian Main Island. Build city Asyut Airport in order to make more airlifts to island 17.

(46) October 1874: Uranium delivery from Hamburg to Leptis Magna for 4701 gold! Take Bombay. Take Madras. Deliveries to Utica for 3698 (viroconium d oil), 358, 764, 764, 358. Take Punjab.

(47) November 1874: Fusion Power, begin Environmentalism. Assault Trondheim, stealth fighters participate in Assault. Take Trondheim (govt escapes to Aldeigjuborg). Bribe Uppsala for 1417 gold. Deliveries for 2587, 1490, 3220, 1064, 756. Decide not to build a uranium freight in Abyos because I have lots of money but need military units for my simultaneous invasion of the Persians and Carthaginians.

(48) December 1874: Carthaginians take green city of Intombe. Environmentalism, begin Future Technology. Take Westness. Take Aldeigjuborg. Troops from Uppsala take Aarhus. Take Jorvik. Delivery for 1574g. Bribe Roman city of Herat for 147g.

(49) Jan 1875: Carthaginians take Amatikulu, and make peace with green. Take Nonnebakken. Take Sigtuna. Sneak attack the Persians. Take Sidon. Take Persepolis (govt escapes to nearby Pasargadae), get Mike’s chapel. Take Istakhr. Cancel Carthaginian alliance, and sneak attack. Take Carthago Nova (govt escapes to Leptis Magna). Take Rusucurru using a couple howitzers and some stealth fighters; no SAM, so only a few actually attacked (more covered sqares). Take Leptis Magna (govt escapes to Panormus). Take Carthage (size 10, defended only by 3 units) (govt again escapes to Panormus). DECISIVE VICTORY ACHIEVED (71 obj). Take Utica (defended by 5 units, govt escapes to Panormus) get Hoover Dam. Take Sardis, but it requires 2 fighters to run out of fuel attacking the city from Hamburg and Punjab. Take Malaca (govt again escapes to Panormus). Raze a size 2 Carthaginian city north of Caesarea and destroy 5 unit stack after that. At 75 objectives, I put all units to sleep and skip the rest of the turn.

(50) Feb 1875: Persians deliver a freight to Persepolis. Cruise Missile attacks kill 11 units on an aircraft carrier because of my sleep actions. Strike Force of 2 howitzers kills 2 units defending Borazjan, take city with 2 objectives. Skip most of the rest of the turn.

(51) March 1875: Carthaginians take Viborg, which was emptied by a Persian battleship. Skip most of the turn.

(52) April 1875: Carthaginians take Heart. Put all units to sleep. Have maintained over 70 objectives for 3 turns. BLUE STAR qualified. FINAL OBJECTIVES 77.

 

[Prof. Garfield]

I am not sure why you feel a substantial navy is useless. Could it be due to an over expectation? Of course, anything in over abundance will lose its value rapidly and a navy is no exception.

As I have indicated before, this was the first time I actually used a carrier and it was instrumental in my invasion of the main Roman island. The carriers were also useful for the rest of the game, though not crucial. Of course I ended a lot earlier than you did since I never even bothered with the Blue star competition.

Obviously navy and air force are both secondary to ground units and that is no surprise. Among the two, the air units are more useful for Reconnaissance due to their longer range.

A big function of both navy and air force is to find and destroy approaching enemy transports and provide support for my invading transports. After that, I use them mainly to render cities defenseless ahead of my invasion.

Maybe what you meant is that large naval battles are not very useful. Surely if you can get to enemy cities, the most effective way to destroy large number of units (of all kinds including naval) is to identify the cities that support a large number of units and somehow capture or bribe them. Thus, large naval battles are useless unless you are so far from the enemy heartland that capturing such cities is simply out of the question. In this scenario the heartland of our main adversary was fairly close. All you needed to do was to protect your invading force for one turn. For necessary large naval battles you need adversaries who are at least 3-4 turns away from each other.

Nevertheless, this was quite an interesting scenario. Thanks for all your effort in its design.

I think the map for this scenario is more favourable to naval action than a regular civ 2 map. It doesn't have continents that split the world into a few oceans, so the naval travel time from one battle zone to another is shorter than on a regular map.

Yet, I found that it was much quicker and easier to use land based railroads to move troops around, and then build ships (usually transports) as I need them to continue the conquest. I usually found it adequate to protect my transports with just a Battleship and an AEGIS cruiser. With the ability to establish a ship chain, there is less need to produce warships to protect your invasion force, because all that is at risk is the transport itself.

Is it usual to find enemies 3 or 4 turns away by ship? I don't think it is all that common on a randomly generated map, although you've probably played more games than I have. It is this rarity of distance that lowers my valuation of a navy in a regular game.

Perhaps I might express it a little differently. Warships are useful in certain circumstances, but increasing the size of your navy doesn't necessarily make your military stronger.

What I mean is that getting more Mech Infantry and Howitzers is usually useful. More of these units will allow you to take ground more quickly. Also, the two units support each other. If you have too many howitzers, your effectiveness will be hampered by a lack of defenders to protect new cities, while too many Mech Infantry will not take cities quickly enough, or will take them at great cost.

Ships don't really seem to be like this. You may need warships for a particular purpose, but extra warships don't seem to give your army much extra capability in ordinary gameplay. In this scenario (after holding back the Romans), I never really felt that if I had more ships I could progress more quickly (although I did wish I could move existing ships to where they were needed). I make my conclusion based on the fact that I judge this scenario to be more favourable to using a navy than an ordinary game, and the navy wasn't particularly influential here.

Perhaps I might best express my sentiments in this way. Naval units are somewhere between paratroopers and tanks. It is helpful to have a few positioned in the correct places, but they are a couple ranks behind "I can't have too many of those." (I view armor as a unit I would like to have more of, except that I want howitzers and mech inf even more).

 

[Ali Ardavan]

Good points. I agree with most of what you said.

I think the map for this scenario is more favourable to naval action than a regular civ 2 map. It doesn't have continents that split the world into a few oceans, so the naval travel time from one battle zone to another is shorter than on a regular map.

Absolutely true. Even if you choose archipelago and small land mass there is no way you get anything close to this from the map generator.

Is it usual to find enemies 3 or 4 turns away by ship? I don't think it is all that common on a randomly generated map ...

No it is in fact extremely uncommon to have land masses that far away with nothing in between.

I dislike the term "randomly" generated map. Start the map editor and have it generate one map after another and quickly you see that they are all quite similar. There is not much "randomness" to it. I prefer to call them game generated maps instead.