Analysis of new UBs

[Polycrates]

Okay, so now the game's out, what does everyone think of the new UBs?

Ziggurat: A surprising winner, that meshes well with Gilgamesh's traits and UU. The cheaper cost is nice, particularly because it makes them significantly easier to whip early on. The move to priesthood is really good. You're going to have masses of cities early on, from the insanely-powerful axe rushes, and from taking advantage of creative. It's very easy for an early wartime/expansionist economy to implode right around the time you start researching Code of Laws, unless you completely beeline it and/or divert production into working cottages or libraries, and there's none of that problem with Gilgamesh.
Since you don't need as much tech (you probably don't need iron working either), and your courthouses are cheaper, you can build even more Vultures and conquer even further - setting up a massive empire that can then go into serious development mode and outstrip everyone by virtue of sheer scale. Protective archers can then keep it defended too.
Without the pressing need for CoL, you can also explore other tech lines earlier than you otherwise might (I used it to get a head start on aesthetics/literature for the GL and the two epics). Earlier, cheaper and more abundant courthouses also means more espionage points, so an early trip to alphabet might also be a good option.
The only problem is that, after this period, the UB starts to pale (though the cheaper cost is always nice) so it does somewhat railroad you into massive early expansion, peaceful or otherwise, to make the most of it.
I really like this UB, and it looks great too.

Also, ikhanda is now fixed, and makes Zulu nationhood now crazily good! Best UB got even better!

 

[Arwon]

The +3 happy from the Mayan Ball Court dovetails nicely with its expansive and financial trait. Awesome builder civ, which is exactly what the Mayans should be.

 

[PeanutBomb]

Because of monument obsoleted by Astronomy now,
Egyptian obelisk become more useful than Arabian library.
And Charismatic Leaders will have +2 happiness until renaissance period.

It's very difficult to defeat Sitting Bull's protective and +3 exp Longbow.
And except build a wonder or consume a great artist, no one can control more territory than creative Yaqob with +25% culture.
Sitting Bull and Yoqob (and include Hammurabi because his UU) will become most unpleasant neighbors in BtS.

Well, I have no BtS now, it's all my guess.

 

[bonafide11]

I think I am a little disappointed with the UBs. Most of them give the generic benefits of happiness or health. Why not give someone a UB that also provides Espionage Points or a Spy specialists? Several UBs in Warlords provided specialists, there isn't a single one in BTS, is there?