Barbarians only spawn in the darkness

[Khshayarsha]

I conquered all the way down to the southern tundra end of my continent (wiping out a couple other civs along the way). I left the southern cape desolate so that barbarians would periodically spawn and I could go and grab their gold. Yeah, I'm essentially running a barbarian farm.

But it seems I have to park my units out of sight of the barbarian spawning grounds. As long as they're lit up with unit-vision, the barbarians refuse to make an appearance.

The Persians who live way at the other end of the continent get wind of barbarian spawn before I find out--I don't know how they find out about it so fast--and before I know it, they're moving massive columns of units all the way through my territory (we have ROP). Man, does that ever slow down the turns, waiting for all of them to file past! Such an excessive amount of firepower for one measly barbarian! So I'm going to settle a city there, pick up regular gold from the hills next to it, and forget about farming barbarians. I'm sick of all the unit transit through my territory.

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

the AIs know about all units everywhere on the map. period. cheap tick.

check the threads that are active, the very thing you describe, the untis moving around for nothgin, can be found in the 'Overkill' thread......

 

[Tassadar]

Barbarian farm, i like that and use it when i can. In industrial era, with panzer, it is a very good place to get elite units very fast. Wait until there is 2 barbarian then attack with same units, promotion to elite garanty.

Once i raze 1 -2 a.i, there is several free land for barbarian pop up, nice training ground before i invade other continent. You can invade with only elite units if done properly and get a great leader about each 2 turn

But i never give a.i right of passage, dont do that, it is a big mistake IMHO. You wont get nothing but trouble with ROP.

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

Tassadar: with 1.29 I have made quite some good experiences with ROPs - they do keep the peace (usually)

 

[Crow T Robot]

Khshayarsha, the AI players just listen more closely to their military advisor than those who call it cheating.

If you check the mil advisors screen he will tell you where Barabarians are popping up.

It is boring to do that, so I will usually have a detachment of fast units shadowing those platoons the AI sends after them. Just travel along and then aim the Cav in the direction the Legionaires change to and BAM! Barbarian lunch. Follow the barbarian galleys too.

The AI *does* believe in overkill. The Aztecs had a squad of 30+ jaguars on barbarian detachment once and were ticked when I kept beating them to the gold. Since they had so many so far from home, I decided to munch a few Aztec cities....

But, generally Barbarians seem to be like mushrooms and mostly grow in the dark, but a very few times they pop up in sight, mostly when you are on a mountain and can see further.

 

[Mad Bomber]

In general ROP's are bad news

But, If you are Allied with another civ you can sign an ROP to let them attack the civ you are at w/o fighting a war you don't want (I'm a builder, not a fighter) or need (my army isn't built yet ) or to take down the king of the block.

Also that's a good Idea w/ the training ground I'm going to put that one to good use
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Never sign a ROP you don't need or want!
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BTW Barbarians will not spawn in view of a unit or town

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

Mad Bomber: I just playde a game on Emperor I won by diplo where I never fought a war. Never! I was at war with india at a point, jsut bought others into it and sat there until india was exterminated Then, i grabbed up the freed land - without the ROP with the Zulus in between I'd never have gotten my settlers there in time.

And everyone loved me , despite I went tech-whoring from the middle ages on - all becuse I never broke a treaty and had ROP with everyone! I got all but 1 vote in the election!!!!!

 

[Mad Bomber]

Good win Killer M.

Thanks for proving that you don't have to win w/ constant mahem & warring. ROP's and MPP's can be your best friend's or your worst enemies, but you have to be ready to exploit them when a golden opportunity arises.