Welcome Civaddict!
I would say that the Civ world is probably one of the more mature gaming societies in the world (I have no research backing this up though...) But just looking at this forum it seems we're of all ages in here. The main problem I have is to keep my wife happy when I'm stuck by the computer for hours. Fortunately for me, she's understanding and is gaming a little herself as well (though for some reason, she doesn't like Civ, but she can play the old heroes of might and magic III forever it seems...)
With armies, I tend to keep border cities reasonably well guarded, atleast two-three of the latest in city defense, with a siege + a fast moving unit. Though I have to admit that during war I tend to need the siegeunits upfront after depleting the initial force so my city defense isn't that static.
My main force is usually gathered in one central place during peace, but when I'm preparing for a war I move it to a strategical location for the initial attack. Sometimes I use the "decoy" tactic described in a post above, sometimes not. It all depends on what I expect to meet across the border. Against a weak foe I normally skip most of the planning and wings it as it comes, my SoD can walk over everything anyway in those cases. In more evenly matched conflicts it's another matter. Usually surprise attacks is the winning game, strike hard and fast where it hurts the most. So lately I've learned to appreciate mounted units far more, enough of them combined with spies (the BtS expansion) and the main SoD marches behind can make the differense between a quick war or a very long one.
With a very large empire, different continents or just a large distances will validate keeping reasonably large stacks on more than one location to be able to get a fast respons to an surprise attack.
And despite what peacemongers says about diplomacy is the best weapon, it'll help you a bit but if you have the likes of Monty or Shaka anywhere on the planet, they'll attack 95% of the time whatever you do in my experience. A strong military presence will increase the odds that you will have a rather peaceful game.
I would say that the Civ world is probably one of the more mature gaming societies in the world (I have no research backing this up though...) But just looking at this forum it seems we're of all ages in here. The main problem I have is to keep my wife happy when I'm stuck by the computer for hours. Fortunately for me, she's understanding and is gaming a little herself as well (though for some reason, she doesn't like Civ, but she can play the old heroes of might and magic III forever it seems...)
With armies, I tend to keep border cities reasonably well guarded, atleast two-three of the latest in city defense, with a siege + a fast moving unit. Though I have to admit that during war I tend to need the siegeunits upfront after depleting the initial force so my city defense isn't that static.
My main force is usually gathered in one central place during peace, but when I'm preparing for a war I move it to a strategical location for the initial attack. Sometimes I use the "decoy" tactic described in a post above, sometimes not. It all depends on what I expect to meet across the border. Against a weak foe I normally skip most of the planning and wings it as it comes, my SoD can walk over everything anyway in those cases. In more evenly matched conflicts it's another matter. Usually surprise attacks is the winning game, strike hard and fast where it hurts the most. So lately I've learned to appreciate mounted units far more, enough of them combined with spies (the BtS expansion) and the main SoD marches behind can make the differense between a quick war or a very long one.
With a very large empire, different continents or just a large distances will validate keeping reasonably large stacks on more than one location to be able to get a fast respons to an surprise attack.
And despite what peacemongers says about diplomacy is the best weapon, it'll help you a bit but if you have the likes of Monty or Shaka anywhere on the planet, they'll attack 95% of the time whatever you do in my experience. A strong military presence will increase the odds that you will have a rather peaceful game.
