Anybody else notice this improvement?

[nightbringerggz]

One of the options that I initially liked was the option to manually place your initial city(ies) and units, and purchase a few bonus techs. If can't recall the name of this option at the moment, but you all know what I'm talking about. Anyway, prior to the latest patch the AI was horrible at using this strategy, usually spamming as many cities as possible, spreading their cutulre, and building a few improvements.

A smart human however could use this system to give hiimself a decided advantage (Instant Axemen, Instant Religion, ect). The AI would never use the system intelligently like this, and would often cripple itself with too many early cities.

Anyway, for kicks, I tried it again last night. Reloading the same map a few times, I got the following results from the AI:

The all had 1-2 cities, often grown to size 2, usually with borders popped. Most had 1 archer, 1 worker. Twice I saw AI's with mines on copper (I'm assuming they grabbed BW). In two of my three reloads, religions were founded on turn 1.

I'll need to do some more testing, but if finally looks like the AI acts intelligently here.

 

[blitzkrieg1980]

I def agree that the AI needed some instruction on how to utilize the Advanced Start option. The first time I tried it, I actually fell into the same trap the AI did in your initial example. I guess it's best to start with a couple cities, techs, workers, defenders and a border pop or 2. I've only used it 3 times and still don't really have a knack for it.

Does anyone have any tips on advanced starts with the default amount of gold?

 

[nightbringerggz]

Well, alot of people haven't used it much as it was broken. I'm going to keep testing it some tonight to try to verify if they fixed it or not. Personally, if the AI can now use the system intelligently, I'm going to Advance Start more often.

Obviously the number of points you're given depends on map size, map speed, and difficulty levels. The points from size and speed will scale with the cost of your purchases, but the bonus/penalty from difficulty level will not. So don't be suprised if at higher difficulties you seem to have lost some starting funds.

Your first step is going to be to found a city. By default the map will indicate the "best" spot to do so. However, you'll have a large radius in which to plant one, so you can often pick a much better spot with some planning. Settler's cost the same as cities (even if you're imperialistic) so you might as well plant a second city rather than buy one.

You're limited to two units placed in each city, and units may only be placed in cities, BUT workers don't count. Also, a couple of traits give you bonuses. Creative starts each planted city with a full fat cross at 0% culture. Expansive gives an extra pop.

You're limited in funds, so plan carefully. If you have mining, there's rarely a reason not to get Bronze Working. If you have mysticism, grab a religion. Otherwise, grab at least one tech that's beneficial based on the terrain available to you.

You can choose to start with a settler or start with improvements usually. Note that 3 improvements is usually cheaper than 2 workers, and you'll get the bonus to food/production right off the bat.

Adding population is expensive, and only worthwhile if you couple it with two improved tiles. Bumping up the city borders is also expensive, and only worthwhile in rare circumstances.

Warriors are cheap, so try to put two in each city. One in each if fine though. Scouts cost the same amount, if you've got hunting, and will give you better results from your huts.

 

[Tecibbar]

I usually use advance start with 0 gold on immortal. This is basically a normal game except you got to choose where to settle, and exploring is fun

 

[Jimdigriz]

Have to say I will never use the advanced start option! The very start of a game is one of the best times of the whole game, exploring etc....can be very frustrating as well but I'd never skip that!