Alright, how do I get better?

[Sir Stabalot]

Right now I'm stuck at a critical stage. I know the basics of the game, I've played a few games of CivIII and won, but I'm not quite ready to get out there and forge an empire right away.

Basically, I just need to know some general tips to get started. Heck, I've compiled a wish list of things:

1: What would be a good map setup to get started on? Pangea, Continents, Archipelago?

2: Should I keep playing as the Ottomans? I tend to expand like a madman in the beginning of the game with little defense besides about one spearman per city. I like the Ottomans because of their industrious trait and the Sipahi. 8 attack can still threaten in the early Modern Age (I think).

3: Should I keep using said expand method? I only do it when I think I'm alone on the continent.

4: Wonders or no wonders? I'm not suffering from wonder addiction, but I find myself always trying to build the Pyramids. Should I fight the habit?

5: Is it just me or is Khan... Well, not very pleasant to look at?

If you are reading this... Then thanks for reading! I'm a semi-newbie and can use all the help I can get. Thanks again!

[EDIT] Oh, snap this should have been in the strategy forum...

 

[Own]

1. Archipelago is good for isolating AI opponents and keeping them from trading and researching fast. Pangea is good for fast and early UU's (Gallic Swordsmen and Mounted Warrior). Continents is good for an ancient UU to conquer continent, then procede to conquer world.

2. If you like expanding, try the Mayans. Fasted expanding civ (one could argue that Incans are faster). Ottomans are a very good civ, first tier undoubtedly.

3. If you're planning an early war, build a ring of cities and then attack. If not, then expand till there's no more room left.

4. Ision says Great Library is off limits, but I disagree. While some like to stay playing monarch for fun and not try to improve, I am the kind that wants to master the game and hopefully before cIV beat Sid. It's more important to learn to get the GL than to research, cause the GL ain't easy.

5. Judging by post count, you're new here, and we like to call gengis "Ugly" example "Ugly of the Mongols."

 

[vmxa]

Stabalot

"1: What would be a good map setup to get started on? Pangea, Continents, Archipelago?"

Any is fine, but I would start with either panfea or contients. Isolation is better after you have some experience.

"2: Should I keep playing as the Ottomans? I tend to expand like a madman in the beginning of the game with little defense besides about one spearman per city. I like the Ottomans because of their industrious trait and the Sipahi. 8 attack can still threaten in the early Modern Age (I think)."

That is a complex subject, but I would try different ones and not get too used to having a given trait and strategy.

"3: Should I keep using said expand method? I only do it when I think I'm alone on the continent."

It is rarely ever a bad idea to expand quickly, but you do not want to out grow you abilty to defend what you have. You need not be alone, you just have to not found cities so far away from your base that you cannot protected and develop them.

"4: Wonders or no wonders? I'm not suffering from wonder addiction, but I find myself always trying to build the Pyramids. Should I fight the habit?"

Take your choice, you will want to learn to do both ways. I would careful about AA wonders to not trigger a GA befoe you are ready.