Assistance?

[Vlynor]

I was curious as to why I seem to have a difficult time as soon as I cross paths into the Emperor Difficulty.

Normally I play on King and can handle myself very well, but whenever I make an attempt at Emperor or higher, I seem to get stomped out.

Anyone have any tips?

 

[DevilHell]

You can check the "King to Emperor advice" thread, there are already so many advices you can see, even a playthough with photos, I find that helpful
But anyway, try first to achieve a victory you are good at, and with a civ that helps you
As if you are going for domination try a small or standard Pangea map with Rome
Or an archipielago with Ghandi for Cult/science

Check the thread

EDIT: It is on the strategy forum

 

[smallfish]

Be aggressive. Be gamey. Exploit the AIs to the maximum.

For instance, if you are about to surprise attack someone and want 2000 or more gold quickly on one turn, offer the victim everything but your cities AND THEN declare war.

If you keep the tempo up, chances are the AIs will not only respect you, but they'll keep their distance away from you as possible. A good rule of thumb is to check the Demographics screen, and make sure you army is 1st or slightly 2nd place.

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT pause after early wave of conquests to settle down for long-term peace. There is none, and when you have a monster runaway like Wu Zetian who hates you since Antiquity for stealing the Porcelain Tower with a war dec, you will very very much want to have her defanged as thoroughly as possible before she reaches Industrial.

edit: Learn how to sell cities whenever your unhappiness goes past -11. If played right, you can sock the AI civs at each other instead of you for a long time.

edit2: Check out Tabarnak's Four Cities Sword Rush

 

[The Pilgrim]

Less wonders, more units. 95% of the time wonder whoring is what prevents people from moving up in difficulties.

 

[Heerlo]

Sorry.Never played on that level.

On an unrelated note, you have the same avatar as me

 

[The_Quasar]

Less wonders, more units. 95% of the time wonder whoring is what prevents people from moving up in difficulties.

This is far truer than most people at lower levels realise. Most of the Wonders are not worth your time at higher levels. The main exceptions being HG and PT which can usually come from finishing the Liberty tree and obtained by using Great Engineers. National Wonders are different, get them as soon as you are able, especially NC and IW.

Oh, and don't build as many cities... you can get away with spamming cities at lower levels, but at Emperor and above, you need to limit them, or you'll get into Happiness problems.