Advice needed

[Jimmi Killah]

Hello to all you fellow civ 2 players, I'm new to this forum and I need help. I'll briefly explain the situation: Its 250AD and I'm engaged in a multiplayer game with a friend. Everything was going to plan; I had Pyramids, Colossus and Hanging Gardens before anyone else had anything. Colossus was the foundation of my super science city which also had whale, boar and river squares. Then he built the Great Wall. Then he launced a surprise attack, at the same time as three Barbarian Legions, with many Legions of his own. I'm not an amatuer so I had city walls and two Phalanx' defending my SSC, however this was not enough to repel the attack and, alas, I have lost the cornerstone of my Empire. So my question to all you fellow civ-ers is this: is it possibe to get my SSC back from my "friend" who has the Great Wall, City Walls, and about 3-4 Legions stationed in it? And if so what advice do you give? I think it is possible-here is my plan:Build Sun Zu, Build Legions/Catapults and attack. I am determined to get this city back but all that goes around in my head is: sire we cannot maintain an attack against this impenetrable great wall. I will be grateful for any advice.

 

[Duke of Marlbrough]

The Great Wall is just free City Walls for all his cities. He (and the Barbs) were able to beat your defenders that were behind City Walls, so why can't you?

Assuming you don't have writing and enough money to simply buy back the city (or a rule against bribing) then take it by force.

Granted, it would be a bit tougher since he knows you are coming and has more units in there, but it is definately dooable.

I wouldn't go for SunTzu's though. It's basically only a free barracks for each city. Just build one of two of them and build your units from those cities and re-home them to other cities if needed.

I'm assuming (hoping) that his main group of cities is somewhat away from yours...? I would first try to get some units between your captured city and where his reinforcements may try to come from. Get some good defensive terrain and try to space out your units a little bit, but keep your ZOC in tact. That should keep him from getting even more units into the city. If he has Dips, then you may need to stack them to avoid them from being bribed (again, if allowed).

If the city has some defensive terrain next to it, try to use that as the point from which to launch your attacks on the city. Since he has legions in there, whereas you had Phlanax, he might use the 'offensive defense' strategy and attack anything you bring within range rather than avoid letting you attack directly.

It will most likely take many units and may not actually be worth it to focus all your efforts on that one city. If he has enough units he may just outflank you and start to take other cities as well. If you have an idea of where his cities are it may be better to let him keep your city (for now at least) and go after his other cities. Unless he thought to rehome his units to the new city, taking out his other cities may actually 'kill' units that are in your city.

BTW, it's actually a good thing he has the Great Wall. If he didn't, depending on the size of the city, he could actually sell off the City Walls with the plan to let you destroy the entire city in your efforts to recapture it. Once a Wonder is built and destroyed, it can't be rebuilt.

Well, there's some ideas for you to ponder. If you want to provide some screenshots, people would be able to discuss tactics with you on where to attack/defend from.

Good Luck.

BTW, better hope he doesn't visit these forums either....

 

[Garvarg]

All hail the Duke. What more can be said.

 

[Jimmi Killah]

Thanks Duke, I'll try and go through your comments and assumptions with a view to formulating a winning plan.

First, I do have writing and a dip, but I'm horribly broke. No chance of immiediate trade cos I'm at war with those civs next to me.

Second, his cities are too close for comfort: 6 in total (Vs my 5), three on my continent three just above. The SSC has excellent defensive terrain 2 mountains and 1 hill surround it.

Third, no screenshots cos I don't know how to do them. Tell me and I will.

As I see it theres two plans; one from the heart, one from the head. Heart plan: go and attack as soon as possible. The prob is I've only got 1 move units so he may just offence defence me before I can fortify/attack. What do you think will the mountains be enough?

Head plan: get Marco Polo, inflence Spanish to fight him and thereby divert his resources away from me. Also trade with Spaniards to get gold for bribery. Prob is this is a long strat and all the while hell be getting the research value of my SSC.

I'd appreciate any comments once again. Thanks for the comedy at the end- I'd better just hope he's in the pub and not watching events as they develop!

 

[Duke of Marlbrough]

I would put a phlanax on each of the mountains. Even if they are not Vet's, they would have a high defense factor. Plus, they would probably be seen as less 'threatening' and he might leave them alone long enough for you the fortify them. Then tyr to use them as your base for the attacks. If you can, get some settlers over there also. A fortress on the mountain would make that spot almost impossible to win against. Once you have a Fortified Phlanax on the Mountain, you can try to put one more unit on that square and see if he attacks the pile.

For Images, try this thread. It's in the Civ 2 Democracy game (which, BTW, everyone is welcome to join), but it should still serve the same purpose.

 

[Jimmi Killah]

Hey, nice 1 duke it worked a treat, I won back my city thru intimidation; fortress, mountain, phalanx, legionx3,cannonx3 and dip to bribe 4 234 gold.....all good- he retired immediately- not much of a challenge but great fun. Adios and speak to y'all on future forums.......

 

[Marlos]

Man! Sounds like I have to try MP sometime. Hmm... actual war against an actual adversary...

 

[Duke of Marlbrough]

That's Great.

See ma! All those hours (years really) of playing strategy games paid off, I helped someone beat the crap out of their friend.