Alphabet Addiction - Seeking Rehabilitation

[Ansar]

So basically, I have to play with a civ that starts with Alphabet as I always go for Writing and then The Republic slingshot. I simply cannot function with a civ that does not start with Alphabet as I do not know what to do.

So...experienced players, what tech path do you take? What path should I take?

(I play at Emperor, and I hate wars in the Ancient Age)

IIRC, someone once told me that if I'm religious, I should just go on the Mysticism-Polytheism path.

 

[Spoonwood]

Put mass regicide on, play on a pangea mapm and use all your king units as scouts (anyone who says your king units will get attacked in this process... doesn't know what they're talking about). Set the reserach slider to 0, and then trade around your opening techs with everyone you meet until you get Alphabet. Believe it or not, I've done this with the Celts on Deity and traded for Alphabet. Then go ahead and research as you normally would.

 

[dexters]

Try a civ without alphabet then still shoot for the same techs.

Basically you'll either hit one of the techs first or you'll eventually have to trade for it.

Your skill/luck will take care of the rest.

This is what I do in many of my games. You'll still get to hit all the same techs, you probably just wont be first to them.
(not advisable if you're playing AI 2 or more skill levels above you)

 

[Scratcher]

Play a Gotm, this month it is Persia, no Alphabet and no republic slingshot as it is a PTW game.

 

[TheOverseer714]

Research Bronze Working and Warrior Code, you might be able to trade those plus your first techs for it, depending on the level your playing at. Think of it as a skill challenge to get that tech in time to get the Republic slingshot.

 

[Mursi lives]

How should the problem be called? "Alphabet addiction" or "Early wars phobia"?

The only circumstances that would make me take another path than "Republic ASAP" are strongly related to early wars.

 

[Scratcher]

Mursi lives, the problem was not taking a direct route to rebublic but always palying a civ that starts with alphabet.

 

[Mursi lives]

Mursi lives, the problem was not taking a direct route to rebublic but always palying a civ that starts with alphabet.

... and Ansar clearly explains that he wants to start with alphabet to get republic ASAP.

 

[darski]

Nike has the solution for this one... Just do it!

The best way to break out of a mold (I had to do this too) is to just click the random button when you select a Civ. It really got me over a major hurdle when I had to break my Persian Addiction. Science and -vanilla- Industrious was just too compelling to give up... almost

 

[Rodent]

like everyone said- try variation. AW or a war oriented game would be a good bet. Republic will not help you there

 

[Sweetchuck]

I usually play the Maya. I start with the wheel (need them horses) and then warrior code (need them javelin throwers). After that, I b-line to iron and hope it's nearby.

If I don't have horses and iron nearby, I start building attack units and go on the warpath.

After that, I worm my way up to literature and currency. Building libraries and marketplaces to fund the war and keep the science slider to the left.

Since the UU triggers a golden age, I try to time it so I'm declaring (in despotism) right before I start building libraries and marketplaces.

Once my golden age is spent (or during it), I boogie on over to philosophy and try to snag republic (and make peace before I revolt).

Then, I prioritize steam power, electricity and replaceable parts (more or less).

By that time, my regent game is in it's late maturity. The fun of the game is the start-up and early conflicts when units are few and the simple strategy and early moves are key. Once I'm railing and building privateers, I have the AI on the ropes and I get bored quick. At that point, the game is over except for the mopping up of the remaining AI cities.

I tried moving up another level, but the early struggles wig me out. Maybe I'm in a CivIII funk.

 

[TheOverseer714]

Mostly, you are on the right track, Sweetchuck. At Monarch level, I believe the AI has a slight production advantage, but it isn't much. With proper expansion, empire management, efficient worker use, and a few other things, you could soon be dominating at that level. Start a game at that level and post saves and screenshots on a thread in this forum, and you are sure to get tons of great advice. Some of it is opinionated, some of it comes across as arrogant and condescending, but if you forget the emotions, it's great stuff. Adapt what fits and works to your game, but most of all, make sure it stays fun.

 

[Ansar]

Sweetchuck - That's great, but I play in Emperor, where the tech pace is much faster.

 

[axehaxe]

Ansar, I know what you mean how those Alpha starting civs seem to have that advantage but there are civs that don't start with it that are just as strong. For example, the Maya are nothing short of incredible when it comes to expansion and on deity games, I never build the great library because the mayans are greater than that can outexpand lethally. Celts are very good too but the agri trait is addicting and weakens your difficulty setting. One game style I hear about that some really advanced players say is good is using the Americans. I know you're probably thinking that's a great joke but maybe there is something different from alpha or agri that they have on that level.

Since you are on emperor level, try pangea huge 60% water with Mayans on deity level. It's the right jump...

 

[ecuwins]

I don't really have many problems doing a Republic slingshot on Emp with a non-alpha-starting civ. It's not even necessary. Sometimes I do a Monarchy slingshot, mostly when playing as a religious civ but not always. Other times I may concentrate on a gang of Immortals or Mounted Warriors and not worry about tech.