Age of Discovery Strategy

[aksully]

Hi, Looking for references or discussion of strategy regarding the Age of Discovery scenario. Entering into a PBEM group playing this scenario and I have been given Spain.

Looking for folks to provide inputs to me on how to best open, what short & long term prusuits have you found works best. WHat is the best diplomatic approach works the best dealing with Portugal and France as the closet neighbors.

In particular to Portugal..should Spain attempt to take it out early..or work in tandem so both thrive to later?

In the opening moves..should spain head south or west towards the Americas.

If anyone knows any in depth play references for this scenario...I'd appreciate it.

Sully

 

[thetrooper]

There are at least three ivory resources in Africa. Take one of them as luxuries are scarce here. The rest of the land down there is crap though. Too many worker turns.

The best land (in terms of treasure) is around Miami and Cuba though. I would settle there before anyone else do.

Research your way to Colonization to see where those resources are.

I don't like war in this scenario. It's too much of an exploit.

 

[thetrooper]

Some very old thoughts on this scenario here.

 

[aksully]

thetrooper, I appreciate your comments..thanks alot!
Sully

 

[Son_Of_Dido]

Colonizing Africa also seems rather contrary to the spirit of the scenario.

But it IS uncontested land -- only barbarians down there and the European powers won't go for it at first -- and you can get treasure units out of the gold down there. Or at the very least set up some corrupt CxC specialist towns. Also, yeah, the Ivory as a luxury resource to keep your empire happy.

I would agree that grabbing control of Cuba as soon as possible is best, as there are three potential sources of treasure units on it.

NOW... the 64,000 dollar question... who has tips for victory from the other side of this scenario? Fighting off conquest long enough for cultural victory as one of the indigenous Mesoamerican civs? Generally I've found that you've got to claw your way through the tech tree to Medival Combat by hook or by crook as soon as possible, as you'll need MDI to avoid being totally shredded by the technology gap in military units... but who has other pointers?

 

[madviking]

A cheat really good strategy:
Get as many cities onto Cuba and surrounding islands as possible, disband your capital (so your capital is now Cuba), then your treasures only have to walk (or sail) a few tiles instead of 50.

 

[aksully]

A cheat really good strategy:
Get as many cities onto Cuba and surrounding islands as possible, disband your capital (so your capital is now Cuba), then your treasures only have to walk (or sail) a few tiles instead of 50.

One would have to Abdanon all of one's European Cities...not sure that is worth it??? Especially when playing a PBEM game.

Sully

 

[thetrooper]

thetrooper, I appreciate your comments..thanks alot!
Sully

Some of those comments are old now though. I don't know if I would play like that now.

NOW... the 64,000 dollar question... who has tips for victory from the other side of this scenario? Fighting off conquest long enough for cultural victory as one of the indigenous Mesoamerican civs? Generally I've found that you've got to claw your way through the tech tree to Medival Combat by hook or by crook as soon as possible, as you'll need MDI to avoid being totally shredded by the technology gap in military units... but who has other pointers?

I've played as Maya before for the 4k victory. The only way to survive is to cave in to demands. The MIs have amphibious abilities here so you're not safe at all. Not to mention those pesky Conquistadors with 6 movement points! IIRC I did some heavy barb hunting with the JT to get slaves for my sacrificial altar.

A cheat really good strategy:
Get as many cities onto Cuba and surrounding islands as possible, disband your capital (so your capital is now Cuba), then your treasures only have to walk (or sail) a few tiles instead of 50.

That's not in the spirit of the game though...

 

[aksully]

Well Thetrooper wish we could have gotten you into our PBEM...we have the MA Civs on AI.

We've just started and I'm playing Spain. What type of Diplomatic approaches would you make with Portugal and France considering Spain's goegraphical position???

Do you advocate rushing settlers in the first couple of turns to max out the number of starting caravels...and get them out early?

Sully