Any discussion about multiplayer strategy?

[TheMipchunk]

Hi, I mainly play Civilization 5 multiplayer, and I'd like to think that I've developed decent strategies for playing against equally skilled humans, but I would like to learn more from others who have perhaps more experience.

However, I can't seem to find much about Civilization 5 strategy in online discussions. Could somebody point me to some? Most of the "guides" I've seen assume that you're playing against the AI, who don't know how to rush with swordsman/composite bowmen, etc; and often those strategies involve exploiting poor AI behavior or going straight for wonders, which is extremely risky in a game with several human opponents unless you're Egypt.

 

[Unresolved]

Try checking the multiplayer forums. I don't know if people will post detailed strategies since the everybody would know how they(the guide creator) plays.

 

[TheMipchunk]

Try checking the multiplayer forums. I don't know if people will post detailed strategies since the everybody would know how they(the guide creator) plays.

The multiplayer forums seem mainly occupied with people looking to set up MP games, or people who need troubleshooting. I actively browse this forum (Strategy & Tips) for new ideas to try, since it seems like a lot of people here are much more knowledgeable than I am, but usually the threads seem to be about playing against the AI.

 

[Past Redemption]

That has something to do with the AI and humans playing extremely differently. Politics becomes a real factor, which is difficult to predict. Doesn't matter how good your setup is if all your friends want you dead.

 

[Catan_Settler]

In MP you'd wanna put more focus on production and culture cause it's important to settle your cities faster than the other players. A typical game will be over by turn 100, not usually by a victory condition but by people just quitting/being scared of the score leader. I would say don't bother with civs with unique units after musketmen, unless they have a building or unique ability you like. Games tend to be decided with knights and crossbows, or frigates. If you get past frigates, congrats now go buy a lottery ticket cause you just beat the odds.

Really it's all about speed and front loading as much as possible. Pantheon beliefs go for culture to fill out liberty faster and get the first settler or hammers to pump early units out to go rush someone. I don't usually take faith beliefs in MP cause except in very lucky desert or natural wonder starts you're not usually going to get to the point of having a second prophet before the game is pretty much over. So don't focus on it-- build a shrine and get a pantheon, but then just leave it like that. Hell sometimes I even delete my shrine to save gold if I'm on a good conquest roll and have negative GPT. What you want in MP is to fill out liberty faster than them and to build troops faster than them. Everything else is secondary.

Those people who spend the early game building the great library and crap to get some sort of tech lead into the classical age? Just go capture their capital. More often than not, these players are TERRIBLE at defending themselves, so just go take their wonders. Do it fast though. A player who gets the tech lead in classical and is left alone, can be a monster to deal with in the middle ages or renaissance if they keep that lead cause they're also the type who have the great wall, and massive culture borders to wade through.

 

[FrostK]

I'd like to know waht difficulty is usual in multiplayer? If it is Deity I do not understand how in generaal you can get someone's wonders.

 

[mrs0x]

MP games generally play with the prince or king difficulty.
This only changes the aggression of barbarians and CS if they happen to declare war on you .

Try looking over some of the guides posted in this particular thread group, and simply adjust your game as you go since multiplayer has way more variables.

 

[FrostK]

what the point to play on king or prince? This removes all diplomacy from the game as any AI cant be conquered with 4-5 units.

 

[Catan_Settler]

I'd like to know waht difficulty is usual in multiplayer? If it is Deity I do not understand how in generaal you can get someone's wonders.

You get their wonders when you take over their cities whether you annex or puppet. The thing is that the key science techs are rarely along the same track as the key military techs, so people beelining science techs and wonders, will often have outdated troops *even with the tech lead* which is why I prefer to just attack them, instead of trying to race them to the great library and whatnot. Relying on wonders is just too risky in MP and it paints a target on your back. Better to use them for target practice that to be the target dummy right?

 

[Tabarnak]

Food caravans are pretty powerful and cs bullying. If you can combine these 2 things and stay happy you can get a powerful empire. Use the demo graph to determine if it's valuable to rush somebody or stay peaceful until a better circumstance.

 

[mrs0x]

what the point to play on king or prince? This removes all diplomacy from the game as any AI cant be conquered with 4-5 units.

A valid question, however the point of multiplayer is to play with other live players.
Prince and King are the standard for full human player games as this affects CS and barbarians.

If you are going to play a CO-OP with a friend or 2 then you can set up your own difficulty and settings. amirite?!