Advantages and disadvantages of isolation

[clanky4]

Sorry if this has been posted already. What are the major advantages and disadvantages of isolation? The main ones I can think of no tech trading and completely neglecting military build up/military techs. I find that I am completely unprepared for war when I start in an isolated area or only have one neighbor and wipe them out early on.

 

[Pangaea]

That's basically it. The main advantage is you don't have to worry about military buildup and wars, or getting declared on by Monty or somebody of that ilk in the early BCs. The main disadvantage is that you can't tech trade, and this typically leaves you behind in tech when you finally get contact with the other AIs. Typically it also means you lack in happy (and health) resources, meaning you have to rely on hereditary rule to a greater extent than in normal games. It's usually a good idea to get to Astronomy early so you can overcome these challenges. Perhaps also not to go for any religions yourself, to make it more likely the other guys will hate each other and wage more wars, holding them back technologically.

 

[Manco Capac]

In the absolute, there is simply no advantage to isolation (unless you made the game filled with a bunch of super warmongers or AW) because autarchy doesn't bring unexpected bonuses. Being next to the AI's is almost always freebees; techs from trades, resources, trade routes, war, etc.

But looking at it relatively (like Rex in both situations while ignoring all other aspects for instance), yes isolation has its advantage to let the human expand at its own pace while focusing other other stuff intead of making less efficient moves because of some AI pressuring you.

And some other aspects like neglecting military...etc etc etc.

One of the most horrible situation is being stuck with a bad island, which happens often in isolation while being also stuck with resources scarcity and no variety.

 

[TheMulattoMaker]

r_rolo1 has a good strat guide in the War Academy called "You, Yourself, and Your Shadow". Check it out.

 

[robbyextreme]

The only cultural victory I have is an isolated start. But that was when I used to play lower levels. I would probably get destroyed if I tried isolated start on immortal without exceptional tiles.

Another disadvantage is that you are now stuck with playing a single player game in an already single player game.

 

[Ramesses-Rules]

You have to manage the economy very carefully in an isolation game, because you won't have the benefits of trade routes to other civs for most of the game. It is even more troublesome if you don't have many financial resources on your island, which is usually the case at the higher levels.

Also, you won't get any religion until late in the game unless you found it yourself. This is important if you are a Spiritual leader. I usually build Oracle and choose COL as my free tech to found Confucianism.

The main advantage of isolation is that you don't need much military, so this saves you on maintenance costs in your cities.

 

[robbyextreme]

You have to manage the economy very carefully in an isolation game, because you won't have the benefits of trade routes to other civs for most of the game. It is even more troublesome if you don't have many financial resources on your island, which is usually the case at the higher levels.

Also, you won't get any religion until late in the game unless you found it yourself. This is important if you are a Spiritual leader. I usually build Oracle and choose COL as my free tech to found Confucianism.

The main advantage of isolation is that you don't need much military, so this saves you on maintenance costs in your cities.

Is founding religions good or what lol.

 

[Drakarska]

Is founding religions good or what lol.

It is if your isolated ( at lest IMO). I'll take and with a reduced cost in military any day. keep a few lookout units and and recon the ocean to give you a heads up for trouble.

 

[AdamCrock]

Honestly being isolated has no adventages for me , the major disatventages are:

-You cant steal workers
-Low commerce from trade routes with your own cities
-No trade
-No tech trade
-boredom

 

[AW Arcaeca]

I find isolation tends to help me. I don't have to worry about troublesome neighbors I can't defeat anyway and they then can't steal the land I intend to claim.

However, sometimes the lack of threat reduces my need for an army, thus leaving me unprepared when an enemy finally finds and declares war on me.

 

[Mr.Keene]

Another disadvantage is that you are now stuck with playing a single player game in an already single player game.

HAHA, good one!

 

[ZeekLTK]

Just start building a military once you notice that the AI has galleons. Otherwise they will surprise attack you at some point, it's just a matter of time.