PolyCast Episode 179: "This Strategy is the Superior"

[img=right]http://civcomm.civfanatics.com/polycast/images/polycast_logo.jpg[/img] Comparisons count. The one-hundred-and-seventy-ninth episode of PolyCast, "This Strategy is the Superior", is the first of three to be published in as many weeks for the third July in a row. Featuring regular co-hosts Daniel "DanQ" Quick, "Makahlua", Philip "TheMeInTeam" Bellew and "MadDjinn", it has a runtime of 59m59s. The summary of topics is as follows:

- 02m48s | Senate
The first of three successive episodes to overview Civilization V: Brave New World, the focus on this first outting is on the Moroccan, Portuguese (07m37s), Shosone (12m38s) and Venetian (19m04s) civilizations, followed by the closely related extensively expanded and revamped Trade Route mechanics and then the new and modified Wonder inclusions of the World/Project, National and Natural varieties.
- 44m46s | Open Mic
Responding to feedback from the most recent and an otherwise recent episode on the show reflecting meaningful answers, topic summaries and fluidity concerns.

- Intro/Outro | Miscellaneous
Liquid reclamation, giving a fruit and crediting the greater community.

Recording live before a listening audience every other Saturday, PolyCast is a bi-weekly audio production in an ongoing effort to give the Civ community an interactive voice on game strategy; listeners are encouraged to follow the show on Twitter, and check out the YouTube channel for caption capability. Sibling show RevCast focuses on Civilization: Revolution, ModCast on Civ modding, SCivCast on Civ social gaming and TurnCast on Civ multiplay.

Last night I dreamt you guys had me on polycast. Such a perfect dream.

Nickbonista said:

Last night I dreamt you guys had me on polycast. Such a perfect dream.

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-- glad you're enjoying the show.

Out of curiosity, how long have you been listening and how did you come across it?

hey thanks for having my comment about fixing Germany and Japan from Episode 178: "Everything You Want to Talk About" thread on the show that was cool

arik24 said:

hey thanks for having my comment about fixing Germany and Japan from Episode 178: "Everything You Want to Talk About" thread on the show that was cool

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You're welcome -- thank you for providing the comment.

Trust you enjoyed the show!

I wanted to comment on the next two civs you guys were going to focus on. The Assyrian's and Brazilians were my first two BNW Civilizations that I played as on Singleplayer, in that order. I really loved how Synergistic p @ Dan) the Royal Library is with my play style feeding into my desire for Science and War. The UU is also extremely useful for taking out early Civs, it was a great Civ to go Space Victory with, however I went Domination. The Unique ability of the Leader though didn't help me since I was in a Tech lead, but it does seem useful if you going down a specific path in the Tech tree you can collect those techs later from the Civs you conquer.

Then with Brazil, while with Assyria I played with the tourism and culture, I really focused on it with Pedro's Carnivals. I knew that before when this Civ was first announced that we could probably chain the Carnivals together with the great Artists and I did this starting in the 1400's and lasting until my Culture victory in the 1700's so I made it last. Like with Morocco, Brazil needs to be around Jungle to make the Brazilwood camps. It doesn't cripple them if they don't but once I was able to settle to the jungles in my area I spammed Brazilwood camps and my culture skyrockted.

I'm more casual in my strategies with this game so I'm sure a more seasoned player would be able to abuse Brazil's abilities much better then I did.

I listened to this episode (loved it as I love the show since I started listening a few months ago), and I've heard next episode you plan to discuss culture victory. You may be interested to read this thread on incredibly quick (I've heard as early as turn 130 on standard) culture victories using the Sacred Sites reformation belief system and ICS-esque strategy. It seem an extremely gamey strategy and just begging for a nerf; however, some say it is not likely to be very successful on higher difficulties. Does this redeem the strategy, or should it be nerfed?

TheMeInTeam said:

Ef yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

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I want to press a button that will make that noise now.

Also, Mad Djinn, Zeros are only broken because fighters in general have very little tactical use at their cost versus Bombers, position late in the tech tree, and lack of AI airpower (which is beginning to change). Japan only suffers until the point at which the devs decide they actually want players to build Fighters.

It'll be interesting to see what the Devs do with Japan and the Samurai that carry that Civ come the fall.

AlphaShard said:

I wanted to comment on the next two civs you guys were going to focus on.

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Thanks, Scott.

(A related point: AlphaShard is a recurring guest co-host on the show with five appearances to date.)

Circuit said:

I listened to this episode (loved it as I love the show since I started listening a few months ago),

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and I've heard next episode you plan to discuss culture victory. You may be interested to read this thread on incredibly quick (I've heard as early as turn 130 on standard) culture victories using the Sacred Sites reformation belief system and ICS-esque strategy. It seem an extremely gamey strategy and just begging for a nerf; however, some say it is not likely to be very successful on higher difficulties. Does this redeem the strategy, or should it be nerfed?

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Noted.

bcaiko said:

I want to press a button that will make that noise now.

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arik24 said:

hey thanks for having my comment about fixing Germany and Japan from Episode 178: "Everything You Want to Talk About" thread on the show that was cool

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Same here DanQ ... I was pleasantly surprised to get back from vacation and hearing my comment on your latest episode. My tag is "starstx" or Stars TX for Dallas Stars and I am a big hockey fan from Texas. Weird right .

And just for MadDjinn I understand his fear that a poll every 6 months could lead to quarterly polls which could lead to ... oh no ... MONTHLY polls!!! I will try not to encourage you too much Got a kick out of that. Patiently awaiting the next BtM MadDjinn.

On a separate note I had a couple of questions discussed during the show. You mentioned that you disable start bias when you play? I was wondering your personal reasons for doing this? I normally play random personalities and started off playing disable start bias (I am a big fan of randomizing as much as possible) but shortly after I quit doing it because I am always worried if I disable start bias that I am either going to completely hurt myself or an AI opponent from the start if I do this by not taking advantage of the start bias to my Civ's unique abilities whether it is a coastal start or lots of forest etc. Curious on your thoughts on this, the effects of it, and why you do it.

My other question is my first BNW game I random rolled Portugal which was fun to play. Maybe I missed something but I built Feitoria's everywhere and my understanding was I get 1 copy of the luxury for being a friend and 2 copies being an ally with CS. When I was friends I got the happiness but nothing showed up in the trade screen. When I was allied with a CS I didn't see any difference or notice another copy for instance that I could trade so it felt like there was no purpose in being an ally ... Am I completely missing something or a bug? What mechanic is supposed to happen with Feitoria's when you are friends and/or allies with CS's. Can those luxes be traded or show up in the trade screen? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Japan and germany are decent as they are. If they were changed I hope it would only be something minor such as changing Germany's 25% bonus to ALL units, not just land. However, civs that seriously need revamping are America (thanks to the ShoShone) and Ghandi (do I need to explain why?)

AlphaShard said:

Then with Brazil, while with Assyria I played with the tourism and culture, I really focused on it with Pedro's Carnivals. I knew that before when this Civ was first announced that we could probably chain the Carnivals together with the great Artists and I did this starting in the 1400's and lasting until my Culture victory in the 1700's so I made it last. Like with Morocco, Brazil needs to be around Jungle to make the Brazilwood camps. It doesn't cripple them if they don't but once I was able to settle to the jungles in my area I spammed Brazilwood camps and my culture skyrockted.

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Ah, here he is. The man who didn't want us to have Italy. ;P

My own experiences with Brazil are that I actually don't want a bunch of jungle around my capital, because it's too much of a negative impact on production. It hurts growth too if you don't have any bananas around. And of course, having to spend an extra 5 rounds clearing jungle just to get at what's beneath (and, unlike forests, not even getting the one-time production bonus) is a big time sink. I'd rather have it nearby and then settle more decisively.

Just got through listening. I think Morocco got off with a pretty generous appraisal. Sure, anythin's groovy if you can combine it with Petra, but the kazbahs on their own are pretty iffy. About the time you get them, you're not too far from Trading Posts getting their bumps (Economy and Free Thought).

I'm undecided on the UA until I can figure out how much gold it's really worth. Even with +3 gold thrown in as incentive to diversity your routes, a lot of the time it's better to send ships to one powerhouse city (like some other civ with Colossus + East India Co), and simply base them from different cities in your empire. It attracts trade to you though, which may well be the true benefit.

I like the UU, although I don't think it can use the fort bonus that the kazbah gives, which means there's a lack of that synergy mentioned in the podcast. Of course, it's got two nice bonuses that stack, so it does just fine on its own.

Can't wait to hear what you guys have to say about Zulus and Indonesia.

starstx said:

Same here DanQ ... I was pleasantly surprised to get back from vacation and hearing my comment on your latest episode.

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My tag is "starstx" or Stars TX for Dallas Stars and I am a big hockey fan from Texas. Weird right .

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Ahhh, now I follow.

And just for MadDjinn I understand his fear that a poll every 6 months could lead to quarterly polls which could lead to ... oh no ... MONTHLY polls!!! I will try not to encourage you too much Got a kick out of that.

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On a separate note I had a couple of questions discussed during the show. You mentioned that you disable start bias when you play? I was wondering your personal reasons for doing this? [..] Curious on your thoughts on this, the effects of it, and why you do it.

My other question is my first BNW game I random rolled Portugal which was fun to play. Maybe I missed something but...

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Episode 180 was recorded this past weekend, so I've noted these questions for answering on the next.

Mad, steve: same for your comments as well!

MadHaxxor said:

Japan and germany are decent as they are. If they were changed I hope it would only be something minor such as changing Germany's 25% bonus to ALL units, not just land. However, civs that seriously need revamping are America (thanks to the ShoShone) and Ghandi (do I need to explain why?)

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steveg700 said:

Just got through listening.

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Hope you enjoyed it!

Can't wait to hear what you guys have to say about Zulus and Indonesia.

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They are to be covered on Episode 181.