ALC Game 21: Zulus/Shaka

[Sisiutil]

The State of the World, 1565 AD

Here's a look at the map, focusing on America:

I know some of you recommended capturing Chicago, but I don't see what's so great about it. New York is attractive, and Washington isn't half-bad either--though if I leave George with the latter and vassalize him, I'll be able to get silver much earlier than on my own. I supposed I could raze Miami, but George will just come back and build another city there. That's a concern I have--Washington slipping out of vassalhood by building cities in the crappy places where I razed them. Or am I being paranoid?

Domestic advisor:

Civics:

I'm not sure if I should switch to Mercantilism or Free Market or just stay put.

Foreign Advisor, Relations and Glance:

Hmm, I have big positives with everyone but De Gualle, and he's at war with Wang Kon... maybe I should enter that war on Korea's side and take down one of my biggest rivals? Should I start spreading Confucianism to France instead of Korea?

Active trade deals:

Resources:

Trade route income and foreign civics:

So there's a split in my trading partners between Mercantilism and Decentralization. Mind you, I could start trading Economics around in the hopes of getting some of these guys to go Free Market:

Hammurabi is willing to trade me Constitution and wants Economics, so maybe by using the GM to lightbulb part of the former, I can get it in exchange for the latter. Also, is Chemistry a good choice for my next tech, or should I research something else?

Military Advisor:

The power graph:

Demographics:

And espionage, with a focus on the board leader, Peter:

So I'll be interested to hear how everybody thinks I should proceed--as always!

 

[Ultimate_Waffle]

I feel that you should just take Washington as your vassal now. If you don't, he might capitulate to one of your other rivals; and that's no good...

 

[Cabledawg]

Youre better off taking Washinton as a vassal asap. Do it before he capitulates to someone else. If you dont accept him as a vassal, he will capitulate very soon to anyone hes at war with. Besides, hes still big enough to be able to help you in the future. Youll gain +1 happiness from him being a vassal and youll gain any resource he has.

You might also consider gifting him Philadelphia back, you dont need it and his culture wont make it worthwhile.

 

[carl corey]

Another vote to accept Washington as a vassal before he turns to someone else. As for the next war, I agree that declaring on De Gaulle would be the better choice. You can absorb Wang Kon after that.

About teching and use of GM: you could send him on a mission that will fund deficit researching @ 100% research toward Replaceable Parts & Rifling. With Military Tradition already researched this will give you both Cavalry & Rifles. Whatever gold is left after you get Rifling can then be used to upgrade your veteran units.

I'd also stop trading with Hammurabi for a while. You're doing an ok job teching on your own, and you don't need to be more ahead than you are now compared to the rest of the civs. You're only helping Hammy become a monster.

 

[Der Graf]

That's a concern I have--Washington slipping out of vassalhood by building cities in the crappy places where I razed them. Or am I being paranoid?

Can you be too paranoid in cIV ?
If Washington is willing to bow before the might of Zululand - take it, before anyone else does.
But he will try breaking free with founding new cities (that's why I usually have one or two spare settlers ready before I go into war mode).

I'm not sure if I should switch to Mercantilism or Free Market or just stay put.

Given your GNP, everything but decentralisation would be better, just staying put doesn't look like an option to me.

Hmm, I have big positives with everyone but De Gualle, and he's at war with Wang Kon... maybe I should enter that war on Korea's side and take down one of my biggest rivals? Should I start spreading Confucianism to France instead of Korea?

If I've learned anything in BtS, it's that none of the French leaders can be trusted. Raising your positives would be fine, especially with a war against King kong. But DeGaulle will come after you sooner or later.

Hammurabi is willing to trade me Constitution and wants Economics, so maybe by using the GM to lightbulb part of the former, I can get it in exchange for the latter. Also, is Chemistry a good choice for my next tech, or should I research something else?

More techs for the new techleader ?
Chemistry will give you Grens and they're doing quite nice against Rilflemen. Depends on what the others have in their stockpile.

 

[oldsaxon]

Vassalise Washington. Why? Because it lets you move onto better things. Don't think of it as ending the war, just changing targets... and getting a vassal as a bonus.

As a priority, resettle that land. It doesn't have to be densely populated - just put down two or three cities so that your culture covers the whole area. Better you than someone else.

Your next target? It looks to me that Wang Kon would be easier than De Gaulle, and in terms of location, I'd say he's more desirable too (keep on marching south to north).

Vassalise Washington; fill in the gaps; Attack Wang Kon; vassalise him as well; repeat.

 

[madscientist]

Vassal GW. Wang will never be a serious threat to you and can be taken later. I say spread things out in war and hit DeGaulle.

 

[Polobo]

Accept Washington's capitulation and gift him back Philly. Settle 1, maybe 2 good cities near where you razed his. Grab (or research) Constitution and double swap to Representation and Mercantilism. Washington, as a vassal, has some decent sized cities that will still work under Mercantile and the free specialist on top of your hybrid specialists will greatly benefit from Representation. The problem with this is your garrisons are supporting many of your cities. If you go nearly full blown SE for a while, however, you can set the culture slider to 20% and get up to +5 happy (with Collesium and Theater). You could also consider switching into Free Religion since you have access to and maybe five if Washingon spreads Taoism to you later (or keep Philly until you build a missionary or three there then gift it back). The diplo plus is overkill right now for your Islamic block and ultimately you will be warring with them anyway.

I would dog-pile Korea and move your northern border further north, claiming good land AND their capital. When depends on how DeGaul's war goes and how quickly you can set yourself up to absorb the WW you will incur.

 

[uncarved block]

Peter and De Gaulle are no longer best buddies (comparatively), so this would be the time to go after the French leader if you want. I'd still argue it's better to leave Wang Kon alone at this point, as he's unlikely to back stab you, and the other two power leaders will get you closer to the land needed to win. You'll also be able to keep a consistent tech lead when it comes to units, and that's no small issue seeing as Cossacks are just around the corner. They may be nerfed, but I'd lay good money Peter has a couple huge stacks of Knights (or Horsemen!) lying around, just waiting to be upgraded.

It might be time to start thinking about getting State Property ASAP. The steamroller has left the station, and it will help you absorb land the best. Heck, you might just be able to steal a few techs from Hammurabi in the process.

 

[Daedal]

I'll second what Polobo suggested. Washington is still useful to you as a vassal right now. If you take his best cities, not so much. Besides, with as much land as he already has it'll be tough for him to attain that much more % land to break free. If he has fewer cities it's easier for him to grow to freedom.

DeGaulle is diplomatically and strategically the better target. If you take him out now you'll have a huge amount of land (and thus power) behind you and the game will be all but won. Unfortunately, you'll also have the world's largest, most convoluted border to defend. Imagine an hourglass-shaped USSR... Effectively waging war after that will be pretty darn tricky. If it were me I'd attack WK first, vassalize him before anyone else does, and use his territory as a buffer for an immediate attack on DeGaulle after that.

 

[Scarredroman]

Military Science is the required tech for Grenadiers in bts.

Wang and De Gaulle voted for you as leader of the AP. De gaulle has Divne Right, so he's founded a religion. Unless you take that city, he won't change religion. I'd want to keep such easy going chaps around to support me. I'd finish off Washington, bribe De Gaulle to stop fighting Wang and arrange for a dog-pile on Peter. Make De Gaulle's penchant for backsatbbing work for you.

I really would not have bothered with Washington until I had a GM, Sid's Sushi and several settlers ready to go. Since you have attacked him, finish him off and go down the Corporation, Sci Method, Physics, Biology and Medicine route.

 

[LightSpectra]

Any chance Washington will give you NY or DC? That silver looks nice.

 

[oynaz]

Another vote for vassalizing America. Alternatively, get his other enemies to stop the war against him and wipe him out.

 

[Der Graf]

Military Science is the required tech for Grenadiers in bts.

Thanks for reminding, I tend to forget about that.

 

[Kev]

Best be careful about considering Peter/Hammy as targets as there seems to be a vassalation there - unless I'm reading the diplo screen incorrectly.

Vassalizing George and jumping on the Wang Kon anti-fan club can probably net you another quick vassal - a financial one who might be able to eek out a tech or two for you as you direct. Let Chuckie stay in that fight for a while so he can burn some units, and you might be able to make a trifecta by hitting him once Wang is in the bag.

Don't think I've ever seen a victory in any of my games that ended in total conquest where all civs become vassals (or dead). That would be cool to see.

 

[Quotey]

Wow, Aggressive AI slows down tech rate a lot.

Lib in 1500s makes this game look like Settler AI teching.

 

[d.a.oconnell]

Just a thought about Wang Kon. He may become a vassal to Ham or DeGaulle... so it might be something to consider in the future.

The Washington vassal is weak and will cause demerits, but you are Shaka : and Washington does have some good resources you can demand from him.

 

[LlamaCat]

you should definitely join with Wang because De Gaulle will backstab at some point I've found.. you seem to have a nice diplomatic situation with Wang, Hamm and Pete, so screw de Frenchman and make George your biatch, and then demand the silver from him after he capitulates.

 

[Jet]

It seems to me that accumulating vassals is usually the right choice for domination victories.

You might be able to get an early AP diplo victory here by attacking Peter. What would make it fun would be the combination of conquest, diplomacy, and the challenge of getting it early.

You need 75% for the win. Hammurabi and Peter each have 17% (probably less once Philadelphia comes out of revolt). Wang should stay in your pocket, especially if you stay in Caste. Nationalism and bribes can help keep De Gaulle in your pocket. You can bribe De Gaulle to make peace with Wang. You have enough of a tech lead on De Gaulle and Wang that you might be able to bribe them to attack Peter.

 

[tycoonist]

vassalize him immediately and move on to the next enemy