Arabians, World map, correct starting positions. Any tips?

[Dr. Dr. Doktor]

I tried playing as the Arabians on the available world maps. It does not really matter what map it is, it is almost impossible. First of all food production is awful, hence science is really slow. Once harbours are built, production suffers and it takes a long time to produce anything. Natural resources are generally lacking, except horses. Just producing a barracks is a painfull endeavour, so militay expansion is very costly.

Also their civtraits are not very helpful.

One thing I found is that it is within one's grasp to colonise indonesia and australia and perhaps some coastal eras in africa.
An early war against Egypt, Babylon or Peasia is really dangerous because of thier strong UUs. Also the arab UU is late and not that strong. However if you wait too long the other civs will be very powerful compared to you.

Do you agre that the arabs are difficult to play? If anyone have some tips let me know.

 

[Beanzy]

Yes, they are. I'd go for a ridiculously quick warrior rush! Take two warriors and pray that you can take the Egyptians in a swift attack. If not, take their worker and pillage the hell out of them, hopefully you can take them later. You have to get into the Nile Delta, IMHO, if you want to succeed. Your other option is to forget the Arabs altogether.

 

[Dr. Dr. Doktor]

Originally posted by Beanzy
Yes, they are. I'd go for a ridiculously quick warrior rush!

I'll try it out and see if it works.

 

[mdm]

where are mods that make the starting positions correct?

 

[Ville]

Here

 

[Dr. Dr. Doktor]

Ok. On Kal-els 140x140 Earth Resources map (Emperor) an early warrior rush is the winning move. However i would say you need two or three archers (I poprushed them) and around six warriors, because no matter how early it is, the Egyptians are going to get Bronzeworking before you can attack. See that spearman appear just after you declare war.

I was lucky though, since I popped a settler from the hut north of the Egyptian SP and generated a leader on my first elite attack thereby getting the GL.

It's 760 and the controlled area is the whole of north and middle africa, turkey and mesopotamia (and Arabia of course). (hint: present day Nigeria is where you want to put your forbidden palace. it's RICH!)
Should I attack Rome or Germany?
I have an oversized armey costing me loads of cash and I am banking on getting a leader to get Adam Smiths. I don't want to attack India as she is most favoured trading partner.
Germany has a weaker military, Rome has Leo's workshop. I could use cheaper upgrades for my Ansars, also I like having Germany there and maintain good relations with her as a counterbalance to the Russians who are the most powerful in the game. If I know them correctly they are going to go ape with their cossacs soon.