ALC Game 11: Carthage/Hannibal

[Sisiutil]

Sisiutil, since you're moving from some "standard" to "favorite" settings for the next game (i.e. epic speed instead of normal), any chance the ALC will ever change to fractal maps as well?

I know things need to stay somewhat standard to compare the leaders, but the standard continents tends to lead to similiar strategies due to the unvaried terrain. There's almost always two big blobs from pole to pole with flat coastlines, with 4 civs on one and 3 on the other.

Fractal is usually continents-like, but much more interesting (irregular coast, choke-points, etc. It would be more fun to figure out how the leader can take advantage of the particular cards they are dealt. There'd be a greater chance of conquering someone just because they had terrain suited to your civ's unique abilities. As it is leaders who thrive in coastal environments tend to be a bit underpowered.

Didn't fractal used to be the old continents script anyway? I know I stopped playing continents as soon as Fractal was introduced

I'll give this some thought. Off-line I usually play fractal maps, and I agree that they are more interesting. However, I often restart my offline games when I find I'm alone on an isolated continent, which seems to happen about 1/3 of the time. It's just rare for me to be in the mood for a game like that.

An isolated start gives you very few options, while a continent with several neighbours gives you plenty. The continents maps are pretty standard, but they're also pretty reliable (well, except for the Incan game--that was weird!), which is why I like them. Sometimes off-line I'll get 6 isolated starts in a row, give up, and select a continents map.

However, we could also consider things like raising the water level, which I believe would create more of the choke-points you're talking about. I'll give it some thought. Maybe I'll try generating a few maps off-line and see what I think.

Who will be the next ALC leader?

The next ALC will be played as Tokugawa of Japan, Monarch difficulty, at Epic speed. Didn't I already say that?

 

[flamingzaroc121]

i say you can do that thing people have been talking about, trying to get to gunpowder as FAST as you can. then you get, combat1 drill1 and city garrison1 gunpowder units. there is this and this thread to help

 

[kniteowl]

i say you can do that thing people have been talking about, trying to get to gunpowder as FAST as you can. then you get, combat1 drill1 and city garrison1 gunpowder units. there is this and this thread to help

I don't think beelining to gunpowder is necessary when you have a UU in the Middle Ages

 

[Rancid Sushi]

Excellent game as usual. This one was better for the suspense. I'm really looking forward to the next one with Tokugawa. I just won my first domination victory with Toku (yes, I'm a noob) and it'll be interesting to see what you do differently (i.e. better).

 

[vormuir]

Great last-minute victory, Sis -- an inspiration to us all. And it's nice to know that the Internet has a purpose after all!

cheers,


Waldo

 

[Fetch]

Congrats. I think this is one of your best wins b/c it challenged you. Generally the ALC games are pretty much in the bag by the middle ages, but this one put you to task in the late game. Well done.

 

[Tyrant Roger]

I am puzzled why the AI is so poor at space victories. I understand the challenge of programming the AI for military pursuits, but the math and logic involved in building all the necessary parts in the appropriate production cities is pretty basic. Why can't the AI do it?

I like your decision to play at epic speed. I have always played at normal to keep the game moving, but I am very curious to see what you think about epic.

I am not sure that it is important to keep the settings the same from game to game. So, as always, I look forward to the next ALC ...

 

[flamingzaroc121]

I don't think beelining to gunpowder is necessary when you have a UU in the Middle Ages

yeah you are right, but he DEFINENTLY should do it with the french and ottomans

 

[cabert]

I am puzzled why the AI is so poor at space victories. I understand the challenge of programming the AI for military pursuits, but the math and logic involved in building all the necessary parts in the appropriate production cities is pretty basic. Why can't the AI do it?

because the AIs don't really go for victory
they just "push wood"

It's a translation of a french chess expression, not sure you see what I mean, so i'll develop a bit more :
they just build things with a lot of random action involved.
It looks like going for space because :
1) - the AIs don't trade techs leading to space and the reason written is "I'd rather win"
2)- there are very few wars in the late game
3)- they sometimes "manage" a launch

But there are reasons for those 3 facts, and none implies "going for space victory".

Reason for
1) is it's coded that they shall not trade "victory techs", and the only "victory techs" are the spaceship ones. It doesn't mean that they really build the parts themselves. It's just coded this way to prevent an easy human win IMHO.
2) It's a "number of cities" effect. The more cities you have, the less likely a random war is. And it isn't related to power, it's just a RNG number vs the number of cities. So it's not because the AI uses it's resources on the spaceship. It doesn't. It's just that it's harder to beat 30 with a random number than 4... The AI still builds units (even settlers) at this stage, remember.
3) Given that the AIs have the opportunity to build parts, they will. With enough cities, and with the huge bonus they have, the RNG will finally give a launch. You want a dirty trick? Give the AIs something else to build when your spies see that a good production city is on the verge of finishing something, and you may see that the spaceship parts aren't even started...
When I say "something" I mean a wonder.

 

[Torvoni]

Good job!

Well played as always.

I have learned so much from these threads.
Actually ... I have learned about many concepts and techniques and strategies ... but not exactly how to implement them.

For example, I know I'm supposed to do some kind of chopping and whipping involving the first two or three cities and the oracle and a particular tech path.

For example, I know it matters who are my enemies and who are my friends and I'm not supposed to trade with everyone (but I still do).

- - - - - - - - - -

The internet?

I know this strategy very very well. This was from a long time ago in the land of civ3. It used to be called THE GREAT LIBRARY. It was a simple and reliable strategy. Basically you could do anything you want no matter how crazy and no matter how pointless --- except --- no matter what you absolutely MUST build the great library. BOOM. From tech wannabe to tech leader in an instant.

The first time I played civ4 it was very confusing. The great library didn't work any more. Now I know. They MOVED it. They moved it to the end of the game. They named it the Internet.

 

[Lance of Llanwy]

Good job!

Well played as always.

I have learned so much from these threads.
Actually ... I have learned about many concepts and techniques and strategies ... but not exactly how to implement them.

For example, I know I'm supposed to do some kind of chopping and whipping involving the first two or three cities and the oracle and a particular tech path.

For example, I know it matters who are my enemies and who are my friends and I'm not supposed to trade with everyone (but I still do).

- - - - - - - - - -

The internet?

I know this strategy very very well. This was from a long time ago in the land of civ3. It used to be called THE GREAT LIBRARY. It was a simple and reliable strategy. Basically you could do anything you want no matter how crazy and no matter how pointless --- except --- no matter what you absolutely MUST build the great library. BOOM. From tech wannabe to tech leader in an instant.

The first time I played civ4 it was very confusing. The great library didn't work any more. Now I know. They MOVED it. They moved it to the end of the game. They named it the Internet.

In all fairness, the Great Library is still a sexy tech booster, offering free scientists and Scientist GPPs at a key point in the game. Definitely one of the best wonders in the game...

 

[Sisiutil]

The pre-game thread for ALC 12 is underway.

 

[Syndrome Zed]

The pre-game thread for ALC 12 is underway.

Does that mean I'm too late to say Congratulations and nice comeback victory?

And of course, many for the thread and the pointers. Time to go check out ALC 12 now....