americanlt
Chieftain
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2007
- Messages
- 35
What map and number of players do you think is good for a beginner at Civ 4? Also, I just always seem too have my cities unhealthy, any tips?
Beginner Map Help
- Thread starter americanlt
- Start date
The map one isn't necessarily an easy one to answer, and will depend to some extent on the tribe you get (e.g. the Vikings and Dutch are each well suited to 'watery' maps thanks to their respective unique buildings, unique units, and start with Fishing) and your playstyle (e.g. warmongers going for a Domination or Conquest win would probably be well served by a Panagea map where you can attack as a wave and quickly move on to the next victim without the need to carry troops across the seas). Maybe for now stick with the default settings 
. I tend to stick with the default number of tribes also - I'd tend to think that a few more tribes might make it a bit easier once you get past Code of Laws / Currency where you can expand more easily.
On
versus 
... I'd refer you to Cabert's Ways into Health article. The version of Civ that you're playing will affect late-game unhealthiness - most notably Beyond the Sword sees a growing problem with pollution from the Industrial Era, and as such the Environmentalism civic has been improved, while Public Transportation has been introduced to offset some of the other effects (being just a couple of the edits made).
. I tend to stick with the default number of tribes also - I'd tend to think that a few more tribes might make it a bit easier once you get past Code of Laws / Currency where you can expand more easily.On
versus ... I'd refer you to Cabert's Ways into Health article. The version of Civ that you're playing will affect late-game unhealthiness - most notably Beyond the Sword sees a growing problem with pollution from the Industrial Era, and as such the Environmentalism civic has been improved, while Public Transportation has been introduced to offset some of the other effects (being just a couple of the edits made).I would recommend the following settings:
1. Tiny world size (3 players) or you can add a 4th in Custom Settings as it is not that much more crowded
2. fractal map (unpredicatable, interesting shape continents) - it will produce two large land masses on Tiny size
3. play normal speed
4. temperate climate
I have found this is a great introduction to any difficulty level and produces a nicely paced shorter game. There are just enough other opponents that you can concentrate on diplomatic relations without getting too confused. It's also nice to try rushing your neighbor on your own continent, then settle in to play against the remaining AI or AIs on the other land mass. The continents won't be that far apart so naval excurions are not tiresome. Finally, any of the victory conditions is possible.
It will produce a slightly easier game but more importantly, one that is not too overwhelming.
Regarding unhealthiness, keep in mind you will always have unhealthy green dots in your cities; it doesn't just go away. Same with unhappiness. But it's only a problem if you have more unhealthy than healthy dots. You play the game by always keeping more of one than the other.
1. Tiny world size (3 players) or you can add a 4th in Custom Settings as it is not that much more crowded
2. fractal map (unpredicatable, interesting shape continents) - it will produce two large land masses on Tiny size
3. play normal speed
4. temperate climate
I have found this is a great introduction to any difficulty level and produces a nicely paced shorter game. There are just enough other opponents that you can concentrate on diplomatic relations without getting too confused. It's also nice to try rushing your neighbor on your own continent, then settle in to play against the remaining AI or AIs on the other land mass. The continents won't be that far apart so naval excurions are not tiresome. Finally, any of the victory conditions is possible.
It will produce a slightly easier game but more importantly, one that is not too overwhelming.
Regarding unhealthiness, keep in mind you will always have unhealthy green dots in your cities; it doesn't just go away. Same with unhappiness. But it's only a problem if you have more unhealthy than healthy dots. You play the game by always keeping more of one than the other.
