Azzaman333 reviews all 31 Civs: Sumeria

[azzaman333]

SUMERIA

Leader: Gilgamesh
Aggression Level: 2
Favorite Government: Monarchy
Shunned Government: Republic
Culture Group: Mid East

Trait Combo: Agricultural & Scientific; 28/28
My favourite trait combination. Any game as Sumeria is easier, simply because you grow and research faster than anybody else. The free food from agricultural give you more people, which means more money made, which means more money to spend on science. A very strong combination, which is often very close to unbeatable.

Unique Unit: Enkidu Warrior; 17/31
A 1.2.1 Warrior/Spearman replacement the enkidu warrior combines the uses of 2 different AA units into 1 convenient unit. Unfortunately, a 10 shields spearman isnt particularly useful. But it is useful to have the 2nd defense point on the warrior, because they can kill barb warriors easy, and can stand up to barbarian horsemen easy enough. The early GA is a real downside though, since an attack by a rival will most likely trigger a despotic GA.

AI Game Play; 10/10
The AI is vastly superior with Agricultural Civs 8 times out of 10. Sumeria will normally be rivalling you for space or culture, and in some rare cases, even domination. Always beware the Sumerians.

UU & TC Blend; 0/1
Sumeria could really use a later UU, just to really boost the research in the early MA when its normally 20 turns per tech. The Enkidus also prevent any early wars, since a Sumerian Republic in a Golden Age is going to get 4 turn research for the entire GA.
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Total Score: 55/70 Rank: 2/7​

 

[Mirc]

It depends on the stzle zou like to plaz

)wrong spelling caused bz kezboard I am tzping on=

 

[azzaman333]

It depends on the style you like to play

A tech lead will always help, war or no war. More food will always help, war or no war. Im not sure i understand what you mean by what you said.

 

[Richard Cribb]

Good review.
I think you are underestimating the Enkidu warrior a bit, though. I for one find it very useful, since it lessens the risk for being attacked by the UU during the expansion phase. For that reason I also find it to be synergetic with the Sumerian traits.
I also disagree with the notion that the trait combo AGR/SCI should be the optimal one, even if it is indeed a good one. But in any case that is subjective.

 

[Marsden]

I think the Ag & Com trait combo of the Iroquois could be just a bit better. Also, many like the Ag & Ind of the Mayans better. I do agree that a game as the Sumerians will be easier in most aspects.

 

[azzaman333]

the 2nd and 3rd trait combos are agri indus, and agri comm, but which order will not be revealed until later.

 

[Mirc]

A tech lead will always help, war or no war. More food will always help, war or no war. Im not sure i understand what you mean by what you said.

Yes, but it can't compare to the benefits of a UU like Immortal or to the traits of China.

And thanks for correcting my spelling.

 

[The 777 Hoax]

Nice review.

 

[Pyrrhos]

Good review! I hate any game where one of the AI civs is Sumeria. Even on lower difficulty settings, you will regularly find yourself out-expanded and out-reserached and out-Wonder-ed by Sumeria.

The Enkidu Warrior is brilliant! The AI will indeed hesitate to declare war if for every one of their swordsmen, leginaries or immortals you have two veteran/elite enkidus defending. The early tech lead will mean you can pretty soon boost the defense with veteran Medieval Warriors that at the very least are the equals of aforementioned units.

As a builder civ, Sumeria is #1 - in my opinion. Quick expansion, easily defended with a great UU, a tech lead thanks to the Sci trait boosted by a huge population (=greater science output), great shot at game decisive wonders and, in the latter stages, a military technology lead by at least one (infantry vs riflemen, battleship vs ironclad, tank vs cavalry, artillery vs cannon, bomber vs nothing etc.) Because of your early expansion, you regularly control more natural resources and luxuries than anyone else = independence and control.

As a warmongerer civ, Sumeria are solid. In addition to a miltech lead in the latter stages, the great population base and land area controlled means you can produce at least two veteran swordsmen against the AIs one regular legionary or immortal early on.

Sumeria - as good as it gets!