Am I really that unlucky with strategic resources...?

[Xink]

Hello

Having started a number of Epic games with Conquests is it that I just have bad luck in that no matter how much land that I explore as fast as I can to consolodate a huge border (forget the middle bit for now) including research geared to a Galley to find the resource filled Island I come up with...

Zilch

An odd wine, once an elephant (love the Ancient Cavalry) and some other resource BUT as far as strategic ones go Iron, Saltpetre, Coal has yet to fall into my control.

My navy (English) can't get the Man O War or Privateer. Iron Clads I would love to have them

It is the year 1430 and whilst I have the biggest land area and population as well as everything else going really well I would have just liked to drop lucky now and again to find some Strategic resource within my control.

No one will trade for it and the nearest supply would need a phenomenal flotilla of ships to contain long bowmen etc to try and defeat an opponent with medieval infantry etc... <<< that would work wouldn't it

Ok rant mode over - I just get a little disappointed at the hours and hours put in to find that I might enjoy the odd luxury but I want Iron etc...

Not having the game for that long would anyone know what my chances would be to gain a victory (militaristic) without those strategic resources...?





Morgan

 

[Masquerouge]

No, you're not unlucky. Resources are not as abundant in C3C.
Same thing for me, greatest empire, and no salpeter, coal, oil, aluminium, uranium... I had to fight to get them.
And only 2 luxuries...
I think I'll try putting two-three more AI civs...

 

[Xink]

Hello Masquerouge

Thanks for your reply. Well at least I know that it isn't just me. The problem that I think that I've got now even though everything is great in terms of my position and the empires rating etc I can only see that being eroded over time as where I have found the resources (Iron - Saltpetre being the two first important) is the middle of the other Civs empire across water.

But what do you mean....

I think I'll try putting two-three more AI civs...

Morgan

 

[Masquerouge]

Well, actually the number of resources is linked to the number of different civs on the map, so the more civs the more resources there will be... After that it's just a question of balance !

 

[Xink]

ah I understand your meaning now - I have used 'just' 7 other Civs, but I agree the balance is what I would question - with none..!!!

Morgan

 

[Masquerouge]

In fact the optimal number of civs depends a lot, as you surely have guessed, on the size of your map. I for one only play on huge maps, large land mass. I will try 16 civs. I usually don't like it when it's overcrowded, but I like it even less when it's resourceless (what a rhyme)

 

[Xink]

Yup huge map size for me as well. Agree with the numbers of Civs - I usually get lucky and have the Mongols on one side and the Celts on the other.

16 Civs - now that could be fun early domination I suppose would be essential of a few of them and so the choice of my race would be important.

Morgan

 

[Masquerouge]

Actually the trouble is, I never go for domination. I'd rather go for spaceship, and I usually count on my tremendous tech lead to offset a poor army. Now when you don't have the resources to upgrade/build the most powerful units...
I think one of the biggest implication of the rarefication of resources is that no matter what, you will have to fight your neighbours for them.
Maybe it's to force scientific civs not to rely solely on their SGL to win... But on the whole I kinda like the change. Kinda. My pacifist ego will need some time to adapt

 

[Xink]

Well even though I have used the word dominiation I used it to describe a type of gameplay that is not really enjoyable for me. I have played so few games but understand the importance of Iron and Saltpetre early on to understand that they can not be forgotton for too long as no amount of research into scientfic advancement can fight off Muskateers with bronze spears

I have started another game...

Huge land mass
Roman Civ - Military and Commerce
Found TWO sources of Iron and as yet from my two neighbours it seems that they haven't judging from their weapons etc. Normally I would build up the barracades at this point but things might need to change...


Morgan

 

[Gislef]

Hmm. I notice the shortage as well. Only playing a "myself + 3 civ" game. I wouldn't mind if the resources were _there_ to fight over or barter for, but none of my opponents have coal, saltpeter, etc., either.

 

[Masquerouge]

Yes, is it a fact that there must be at least one strategic resource per civ ? Or a pure delusion of the weak mind ? Iknow there can be more, but less ?

 

[Xink]

One strategic resource per civ... Knowing my luck it would be uranium for me and learning to combine that with bronze spears hasn't yet been mastered.

I have played too few games yet to make such a bold statement but I think that if you have Iron and a Militaristic race then your neighbours won't be around for long.

I am looking now at my medieval infantry facing the French bronze spearmen - knowing my poor gameplay I will still come off worse

Morgan

 

[Dr Tiny]

I play C3C with 16 civs and resources are much scarcer now than they used to be in PTW games with similar world settings. Makes things more 'interesting'. My last game had 6 of the 16 civs on one of the continents fighting over the 1 iron resource.

 

[SemperFi2382]

I play on huge maps with max number of civs and the so far I have been getting the bigger share of the resources. I think that is my luck though.

Either way I like the change. Gives me yet another excuse to start a war.

 

[LouLong]

Well, there was a pb with later strategic resources before (PTW) that there were roughly as many resources as civs. But normally when you were to discover coal, oil or uranium, some civs would have gone so I do hope that their number has somehow dwindled. For a more interesting gameplay as someone put it.

 

[Xink]

Well up to now it is the year 1250 and I have met the French, Korean and the Sumerians.

Building up a force of Medieval infantry with pikemen in defensive support (with Ancient Cavalry) I have first got the Sumerians to give me money under threat, then attacked them on three fronts (I want their desert and mountain areas - possible saltpetre, coal and more Iron) then got the French and the Koreans to declare war also on them.

I have taken what I estimate about a third of their land and as I am a Republic I have lowered the research and upped the happiness quota during the campaign.

I have kept the border with France strongly defended as I reckon they too could be looking at me as I am at them also

Well it's different and what is a little disturbing compellingly fun


Morgan

 

[Duantalus]

If by more interesting you mean "Player controls only oil, rubber and coal on map. Good luck AI." That is the problem my games have been having, I'm unable to keep up technologically with the AI (Sid diff.), but since I seem to be the only one who has anything other then Iron....

 

[Acalanthis]

Personally, I see this lack of basic strategic resources as a problem. For want of them, fighting becomes compulsory from an early stage. And how do you launch an effective offensive half way across the world with warriors and galleys?

There is not much possibility of trading for said resources since often the civs that have them will only have one of them and in any case, they ask such high prices for them that there is little gold left to upgrade units or spend on tech.

The cultural element that was so exciting in Civ III seems to be losing it's impact and fighting has increased it's already dominant position. What a shame about the culture as it was such an exciting idea.

 

[Masquerouge]

Originally posted by Morgan UK
One strategic resource per civ... Knowing my luck it would be uranium for me and learning to combine that with bronze spears hasn't yet been mastered.

I meant : for each strategic resource, at least one per civ. The thing is they're randomly distributed on the map. And I'm not sure it's a rule, since no one has confirmed it.

 

[LeroyJr]

So far I have been fairly lucky on Iron in my games. My last game I was fortunate enough that my 60 city empire had one of each resource, although my only source of Uranium was on the Roman continent. I had two cities on that continent and the Romans had the other 80 cities. Needless to say when I was about to build my last spaceship parts the Romans made a huge push to take out my uranium source. After about 15 minutes of non-stop attack my city stood though. I had it double radar defended in case one got taken out with an Army of Mech Infantry defending each radar and then three more Mech Infantry Armies defending the city. Romans hit it with about 100 Tanks, Cavalry and such but could not take it.

In my most recent game I have a 40 city empire so far and have a grand total of one incense for luxuries. I am having to waste my cash on entertainment to keep my people happy. No one else seems to have much either. I do not like that they have lowered the resource and luxury levels. Takes some of the fun out of the game if you are a player that likes to build huge cities and win the space race if you have to go to war non stop to get things from other civs. Made the game more for War Mongers than for any peaceniks which takes the fun out of the game for some people.