6otM31 Opening Actions

[leif erikson]

Welcome to the 6otM31 Opening Actions thread.

STOP - Please do not continue reading this thread until you have completed at least 80 to 100 turns in your game.

This thread is used to discuss the game once you've started playing through your first 100 turns. Apart from normal decency, the only posting restrictions are to please not post videos until the deadline is finished and to use the spoiler tags for screenshots. Here you can post questions related to the game and share your achievements/anger/frustration/victories while you play. Please remember that we are running a family friendly site, so express anger or frustration with this in mind.

Please use this thread to discuss your goals for the game and your opening moves through the first 100 turns. Anything after that should be posted in the After Actions thread once you have completed your game.

- Where did you settle your capital city? Your second city?
- What did you research and which policies did you choose and why?
- What was your build order?
- How long did it take to find your neighbors? Were they hostile or friendly?
- How soon did you build a District? Which ones did you prioritize?
- Did you try to build any Wonders?
- Did you emphasize expansion? How many cities have you built/captured in the first 100 turns?
- How did you play your governance cards, priorities?
- What City-States did you meet and which ones did you cultivate to your side?
- How were the Barbarians?
- Any surprises?

Please use spoiler tags for any surprise details you'd like kept hidden. Thanks.

 

[Chalcedon]

- Where did you settle your capital city? Your second city?

I settled n/e on the plains hill, lost two turns by doing so but for the extra prod plus two horses right away it seemed worthwile to me. The second city was settled north to the capital, to secure the wine/citrus amenities (was not sure how early growth would be affected by them on deity difficulty), but the third city south of Yosemite came right after the second and turned out to be my "actual" capital...

- What did you research and which policies did you choose and why?

Science: I went Animal Husbandry first (production), after that Astrology (got the boost and reeeally wanted a religion), Archery (defense), Irrigation/Writing, after that the stuff for Swordsmen, Rams and Siege Towers...
Culture: Started with Discipline/Urban Planning (faith for early Pantheon came in from Jerusalem), had the core cities settled way before reaching Early Empire (long time no Foreign Trade boost ), used Agoge to build lots of Archers and a few Warriors, then Ilkum and Conscription to get the growing nation going... For government I chose Oligarchy for the +Strength and two possible military cards. Might have used Strategos tho for the first GG, did not know that the second would be Renaissance and far out of reach...

- What was your build order?

In the capital I built Scout -> Builder (delayed due to goody hut builder) -> Lavra -> Slinger (purchased) -> Settler -> one turn Worker finish -> Settler -> Trader (purchased), after that a Shrine, units and builders... in the other cities I went for Lavras first, because I really wanted a Religion, mostly to try out the relatively new Warrior Monks as arthur486 suggested in the announcement thread

- How long did it take to find your neighbors? Were they hostile or friendly?
Found Sumeria really early, he did not like me - just because ... but that wasn´t necessary, as he was my first target for obvious reasons

- How soon did you build a District? Which ones did you prioritize?

As said, I heavily focussed on Lavras early on, followed by campusses for at least a little bit of science... maybe I should have built an early Encampment to have at least a chance for an early GG or some Commercial Hubs (was struggling for gold), but the low pop allowed no more...

- Did you try to build any Wonders?

No, Sir, not at all.

- Did you emphasize expansion? How many cities have you built/captured in the first 100 turns?

Yes, mostly by the sword. 8? Not sure, but I think I settled three cities (incl. capital) for at least some production, then peaced out Sumeria (one city left), granting five more cities. Only Uruk was a good one, but I did not feel for razing the other crappy ones, because of existing districts and/or warlike/expansionist neighbours.

- How did you play your governance cards, priorities?

See above.

- What City-States did you meet and which ones did you cultivate to your side?

I got the first envoys on Geneva, Jerusalem and Brussels. Cultivated Geneva (easy quests, but obviously not for the bonus, only the +Science on Campi), Jerusalem (+Lavra faith), Kandy (same, liberated). There was a diplomatic race for Stockholm with Rome and Greece, but most of the time I was able to stay suzerain, which unfortunately was not the case with Carthage...

- How were the Barbarians?

Strangely enough they were no problem (normaly they are really a pain to me). Got lucky with Geneva helping me to destroy two outposts early on, and I think Sumeria took out another in between us... after that a few scouts, killed by Archers on their way to the Sumerian front. After that - nothing.

- Any surprises?

Few few neighbours, LOTS of goody huts for me, no barbarian plague, no competition for Great Scientists (except by Sumeria - ).


After peacing out Sumeria, my army is really primitive compared to the AIs... I have to forgo quite some turns in order to gain cash for upgrades plus Professional Army, because Rome is sooo strong, and the terrain feels to be a bumper as well. But somehow, I have to attack them next, otherwise they would go really nuts... what do you suggest in such a situation? There is also the question of how to cycle the map...

 

[Scaramanga]

- Where did you settle your capital city? Your second city?
I settled in place. Second city was northeast on east bank of the river.
- What did you research and which policies did you choose and why?
I went for wheel to counter any war-carts and got the eureka for it from a goody hut. I wanted Political Philosophy and Military Tradition.
- What was your build order?
Scout, warrior, chariot, lavra, spearman
- How long did it take to find your neighbors? Were they hostile or friendly?
I found Sumeria right away. He was always mostly hostile.
- How soon did you build a District? Which ones did you prioritize?
I built a lavra quickly to trigger State Workforce.
- Did you try to build any Wonders?
I never considered any Wonders.
- Did you emphasize expansion? How many cities have you built/captured in the first 100 turns?
I tried settle east of the river. I had 4 at turn 85.
- How did you play your governance cards, priorities?
I chose Discipline/God King, Conscription/Urban Planning
- What City-States did you meet and which ones did you cultivate to your side?
I met Geneva, Jerusalem, and Carthage. Many city-states fell to AI.
- How were the Barbarians?
The barbarians were really bad to the southeast. There was one major horse camp.
- Any surprises?
Gilgamesh decided to let me alone.

 

[FurionHuang]

112t so far.
- Where did you settle your capital city? Your second city?
3 tiles north-east to spawn location, above 2 horses and closer to the first barb camp so that I can clear it right away.
- What did you research and which policies did you choose and why?
Tech: Animal Husbandry - Astrology - Mining - Archery - Bronze - Horseback Riding, then Irrigation then all the way to Machinery, back on Stirrups and then planning to go directly to Military Science.
Civic: Just several key points: Political Philosophy, Feudalism and Mercenaries. Went to Merchant Republic but rethinking it with Lavras and Tundra tiles, Reformed Church should be a better option.
- What was your build order?
Got stormed by barbs first try, so this time is my second. Knowing where the neighbors are I started with builder but now totally regret it because I still can't find where Nidaros is! Other than that pretty standard 2 population settler, get the Lavra foundation upon Astrology, more settlers then Encampments. Once Craftsmanship ready 1 more warrior and 5 slingers. Followed by Heavy Chariots and Horseman. Then one Battering Ram to march with the swordsman.
- How long did it take to find your neighbors? Were they hostile or friendly?
First met Gilgamesh on 15t or so, Uruk so exposed... Sorry but stormed it before meeting Rome. Then I had big territory, Rome liked me. Joint war with Rome against Germany who tried to declare friendship with me. Then Chine who is pretty much beaten up by Scythia. So... they are pretty friendly...
- How soon did you build a District? Which ones did you prioritize?
Lavra first. 3 of them so that I can get 40% off on Encampments and points of great writers to boost my culture yields and trade with AI for money. Encampments next, but I forgot to run projects! I lost 2 great generals! What a mistake. Rest of the districts are from conquered cities, lucky to get a Theater square with Amphitheater so that I can have more books.
- Did you try to build any Wonders?
Another total regret but I tried to build Alhambra. Why should I? I should have run the encampment projects instead.
- Did you emphasize expansion? How many cities have you built/captured in the first 100 turns?
Built 5 cities including capital. Captured 1 from Gilgamesh, 4 from Germany, 2 from China and 1 from Greece. 13 in all for now.
- How did you play your governance cards, priorities?
Red cards are Agoge when producing warriors and slingers, Maneuver when producing Heavy Chariots and Horseman. Limes for wall overflow then Professional Army to upgrade Crossbowman, swordsman and knight.
Yellow has Ilkum, Colonization, Serfdom and Meritocracy most of time when they are in need.
Green... We have Germany, so the city-states... well I have to put something on so Charismatic Leader.
Purple are Strategos and Literary Tradition
- What City-States did you meet and which ones did you cultivate to your side?
Geneva the first, then Hongkong and... I forgot. Didn't really care about them. Carthage was too late and too far away.
- How were the Barbarians?
First time crazy! We have 5 horses around the spawn location. If I failed to clear the outposts, awwww. Second time, good and silent.
- Any surprises?
Rome purchased some great generals. I mean it's not a surprise I should have seen it coming.

4 turn to Cossack, let's see how many turns left for me to wipe them out.

 

[FurionHuang]

- Where did you settle your capital city? Your second city?

I settled n/e on the plains hill, lost two turns by doing so but for the extra prod plus two horses right away it seemed worthwile to me. The second city was settled north to the capital, to secure the wine/citrus amenities (was not sure how early growth would be affected by them on deity difficulty), but the third city south of Yosemite came right after the second and turned out to be my "actual" capital...

- What did you research and which policies did you choose and why?

Science: I went Animal Husbandry first (production), after that Astrology (got the boost and reeeally wanted a religion), Archery (defense), Irrigation/Writing, after that the stuff for Swordsmen, Rams and Siege Towers...
Culture: Started with Discipline/Urban Planning (faith for early Pantheon came in from Jerusalem), had the core cities settled way before reaching Early Empire (long time no Foreign Trade boost ), used Agoge to build lots of Archers and a few Warriors, then Ilkum and Conscription to get the growing nation going... For government I chose Oligarchy for the +Strength and two possible military cards. Might have used Strategos tho for the first GG, did not know that the second would be Renaissance and far out of reach...

- What was your build order?

In the capital I built Scout -> Builder (delayed due to goody hut builder) -> Lavra -> Slinger (purchased) -> Settler -> one turn Worker finish -> Settler -> Trader (purchased), after that a Shrine, units and builders... in the other cities I went for Lavras first, because I really wanted a Religion, mostly to try out the relatively new Warrior Monks as arthur486 suggested in the announcement thread

- How long did it take to find your neighbors? Were they hostile or friendly?
Found Sumeria really early, he did not like me - just because ... but that wasn´t necessary, as he was my first target for obvious reasons

- How soon did you build a District? Which ones did you prioritize?

As said, I heavily focussed on Lavras early on, followed by campusses for at least a little bit of science... maybe I should have built an early Encampment to have at least a chance for an early GG or some Commercial Hubs (was struggling for gold), but the low pop allowed no more...

- Did you try to build any Wonders?

No, Sir, not at all.

- Did you emphasize expansion? How many cities have you built/captured in the first 100 turns?

Yes, mostly by the sword. 8? Not sure, but I think I settled three cities (incl. capital) for at least some production, then peaced out Sumeria (one city left), granting five more cities. Only Uruk was a good one, but I did not feel for razing the other crappy ones, because of existing districts and/or warlike/expansionist neighbours.

- How did you play your governance cards, priorities?

See above.

- What City-States did you meet and which ones did you cultivate to your side?

I got the first envoys on Geneva, Jerusalem and Brussels. Cultivated Geneva (easy quests, but obviously not for the bonus, only the +Science on Campi), Jerusalem (+Lavra faith), Kandy (same, liberated). There was a diplomatic race for Stockholm with Rome and Greece, but most of the time I was able to stay suzerain, which unfortunately was not the case with Carthage...

- How were the Barbarians?

Strangely enough they were no problem (normaly they are really a pain to me). Got lucky with Geneva helping me to destroy two outposts early on, and I think Sumeria took out another in between us... after that a few scouts, killed by Archers on their way to the Sumerian front. After that - nothing.

- Any surprises?

Few few neighbours, LOTS of goody huts for me, no barbarian plague, no competition for Great Scientists (except by Sumeria - ).


After peacing out Sumeria, my army is really primitive compared to the AIs... I have to forgo quite some turns in order to gain cash for upgrades plus Professional Army, because Rome is sooo strong, and the terrain feels to be a bumper as well. But somehow, I have to attack them next, otherwise they would go really nuts... what do you suggest in such a situation? There is also the question of how to cycle the map...

Jungle in front of Athens is nightmare!

 

[daheat43]

This is about my 4th attempt, since it's the first to make it to 100 turns.

- Where did you settle your capital city? Your second city?
Capital on lux one tile NW. Second city pretty close, one tile NE of the horses across the eastern river

- What did you research and which policies did you choose and why?
code of laws, potery, astrology, Animal/mining, irrigation, writing, currency, archery (after built slingers)
mostly cheap policies, going for govt change

- What was your build order?
scout, builder, lavra, (buy slinger), settler, shrine, slinger, slinger, slinger, monument

2nd city: lavra, monument

- How long did it take to find your neighbors? Were they hostile or friendly?
Found Germany and Sumeria right away. Met Pericles around turn 50 and maybe trajan around then. met vikings around turn 100 when they suzerained a nearby city state
They were all friendly til around turn 60, then they started randomly denouncing. I can't stand the AI in this game -- from the diplomacy to the way they fight. It's silly, random, out of the player's control.

- How soon did you build a District? Which ones did you prioritize?
Lavras as fast as I could since I didn't get religion in my first 2 playthroughs. then went for markets to use special ability of russia

- Did you try to build any Wonders?
Heck no. tried to survive.

- Did you emphasize expansion? How many cities have you built/captured in the first 100 turns?
Hah, I tried to.. but was always playing catchup. I've founded 3 cities by turn 106 and captured zero. Gilgamesh just gave me two cities in a peace deal, but it's so dumb that it's not satisfying. In civ5, players would offer you their cities when they were really on the ropes, as a bid for survival. Here, gilga had cavalry while i had archers! In fairness, his AI was so incompetenet that I was killing his cavalry. but there's no way he should offer cities in that situation. *I* was on the ropes.

- How did you play your governance cards, priorities?
As needed. 50% settler at one point, and 50% military. Eventually the walls/defense one. Mostly kept low unit maintenance, 2 envoys for 1, double envoy points, +2 gpt for trade routes

- What City-States did you meet and which ones did you cultivate to your side?
Toronto, stockholm, geneva, jerusalem. kandy and hong kong and maybe others were conquered by Sumeria. I suzerained Jersusalem and started putting envoys into Stockholm. Geneva bonus seemed no good for domination.

- How were the Barbarians?
Well, I survived them this game. They crushed me the first 3 playthroughs. Horsemen and horsearchers - yowzers. Why do they fight so much better than the full civs?

- Any surprises?
It's tough on Deity. As it should be, I guess. but it feels incomprehensible. Like back on civ1 when I first played on Prince, thought I was doing well, and then had advanced enemies land. I had a sense of timing in Civ5, 4, 3. Maybe it's just that I need to learn this game better.

Oh, and I like warrior monks. They saved me! Along with defender of the faith. I bought 3 or 4 monks when Sumeria attacked me... had thought I would attack him, but didn't realize he had CAVALRY. But it was a surprise that they cost 200... fandom says 100 faith cost. What's up with that?

 

[daheat43]

I'm impressed you guys made such strong starts! How did you build so many units, Furion? Did you buy with gold, and if so, where did you get it? Or did you chop them? I was trying to build a bunch of units, but I thought I was doing well to build 4 slingers before building another encampment, temple, shrine, etc. Maybe you didn't focus on those things? Seems like you were focused on war right of the gate, and it worked. Same for you Chalcedon: how did you conquer so many cities? Just archers, warriors and a ram? Nice work.

 

[FurionHuang]

I'm impressed you guys made such strong starts! How did you build so many units, Furion? Did you buy with gold, and if so, where did you get it? Or did you chop them? I was trying to build a bunch of units, but I thought I was doing well to build 4 slingers before building another encampment, temple, shrine, etc. Maybe you didn't focus on those things? Seems like you were focused on war right of the gate, and it worked. Same for you Chalcedon: how did you conquer so many cities? Just archers, warriors and a ram? Nice work.

As I explained in after action, trading before you go into war is very important. But don't exploit it in a way that you trade and declare war instantly. The reason for settling on a lux is that you can trade it to first meet civ for about 187g and with your own balance you can purchase your first settler and prod the second. Turn 30-35 you will have 3 cities. Then use Agoge and prod slinger (yes slinger not Archer, hold on archery untill you have 5 slingers) and warrior. Trade your next lux with ai for gold to upgrade archers. Now, your nearest neighbor is meat on chop board.
Hope that's useful to you.

 

[daheat43]

Awesome, thanks! I'll give it a shot from scratch, rather than trying to beat these cavalry with my archers....

 

[daheat43]

So... doing much better this time around with your advice, Furion. However, THIS GAME is still killing me. How can they build an encampment behind you, trapping your units with zones of control? It's unbelievable. Screenshot attached. My archer is INSIDE their new encampment district.

 

[daheat43]

Doing much better now -- thanks for the tips! Am at turn 90 now, Uruk just fell, I liberated Lisbon and picked up Nippur in a peace deal (plus cash), and I think I'll go for Germany next. Then thinking of heading straight west along the south of the continent.

Army is 7 horses (the horse building policy is awesome), 5 xbows, 2 swords, 1 cat, 1 spear, 1 ram, and another archer and sword back home.

Like you said, the upgraded archers came just in time and made short work of a barbarian rush or two... esp w Defender of Faith

Have 1400 faith and was planning to buy warrior monks. Now debating holding for Cossacks. On one hand, I'd hate to be out of faith when Cossacks arrive. On the other, I already have 7 horses and can upgrade with gold. While Sumeria had ciites with 47 defense, the others are all in the 20s and 30s. Do you think Warrior Monks have missed their window and/or I should save for Cossacks, or would you guys buy 7 or so monks now to aid the medieval/rennaisance rush through Germany and West?

Also attached pics of a situation I can't figure out. Do enemy encampments block unit swap moves even if the encampment has been reduced and occupied by your forces? Sorry about the big pics -- added one to see what it did, then added the other for consistency.

 

[Chalcedon]

daheat43 said: ↑
I'm impressed you guys made such strong starts! How did you build so many units, Furion? Did you buy with gold, and if so, where did you get it? Or did you chop them? I was trying to build a bunch of units, but I thought I was doing well to build 4 slingers before building another encampment, temple, shrine, etc. Maybe you didn't focus on those things? Seems like you were focused on war right of the gate, and it worked. Same for you Chalcedon: how did you conquer so many cities? Just archers, warriors and a ram? Nice work.

Sry for answering this late... yeah I got really "lucky" with expansionist Sumeria, settling all the way in my direction, leaving the rest to Rome... ;-S Well, at least I got those cities and some districts, taken mainly by warriors/swords, archers and a ram... funny enough I forgot about spearmen having no impact on war carts and built some 2-3 as well... totally my bad. And wasn´t trading away my single luxes, cause I thought I´d need the amenities rather than golds per turn (and wasn´t thinking of some flat money to purchase sth right away)... my bad also. Actually, made lots of mistakes.

Nice you made it through tho!

Can´t wait for the next one! ;-)
(just checking the forum about every 2 hrs)