Best civ to start as before a Mercurian/Infernal switch

[Minor Annoyance]

I was thinking the Elohim would be good to build the Mercurian gate because they're good defensively so you can hold out until you've build it and they'e pacifists so while you're teamed up with them they're unlikely to start a war you don't want.
Since you don't get teamed up as the Infernals there probably isn't much difference who you start as. It just has to be someone that can research fast. So who would that be other than not barbarians?

 

[MagisterCultuum]

If the Lanun summon him he will start with Seafaring, making his ships faster. It really doesn't matter that much though.

They don't have to be the ones that summon Hyborem, but having the Sheaim in the game too does benefit the Infernals, since they will drive the AC up with their ritual.

 

[Kael]

Kuriotate/Infernal, since Cardith cant build any defensive buildings in his settlements they are all the easier to capture. Its also easier for him to spread out and claim your future lands of misery.

Sheaim/Infernal is kinda fun too since you can set off Worldbreak rthe turn before you switch to Hyborem. The Lanan's Tsunami world spell also works as well if not better for that on water maps.

 

[Bad Player]

I like the Malakim before Hyborem because 1) you convert a good civ to evil (thereby increasing the chances of more evil civs in a game than if you start as an evil civ) and 2) the adaptive trait is useful to start with creative before going financial to tech rush for Hyborem.

 

[Nimbus]

Kuriotate/Infernal, since Cardith cant build any defensive buildings in his settlements they are all the easier to capture. Its also easier for him to spread out and claim your future lands of misery.

I kind of disagree, 1. this assumes you will appear near the civ that summoned you into the world which almost never happens and 2. as your demonic citizens can not spread to a captured city you will need to remember to raze the city and replace it with a settler to get your full advantage from this combo.

 

[Vehem]

I kind of disagree, 1. this assumes you will appear near the civ that summoned you into the world which almost never happens and 2. as your demonic citizens can not spread to a captured city you will need to remember to raze the city and replace it with a settler to get your full advantage from this combo.

Aye - that seems to be Hyborem's big limiting factor at the moment. If there are a shortage of evil civs to raze for Manes, he has to capture settlements instead and deal with the unhappiness of not having Demonic Citizens in them.

 

[Mailbox]

Now that spells have a cast time, could a spell be added that converted the citizens of captured cities into demons by just adding the building at the end of the duration?

 

[WCH]

Flavourwise, I think Amurites -> Infernal makes the most sense.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

No, flavorwise the Sheaim are the only ones who should really want to summon the Infernals.

 

[Monkeyfinger]

Kuriotates for Kael's reasons + the fact that they're built for the "small, focused empire that falls apart late due to underexpansion" style that's best for rushing infernal pact.

 

[tharg]

Kuriotates for Kael's reasons + the fact that they're built for the "small, focused empire that falls apart late due to underexpansion" style that's best for rushing infernal pact.

I like Kandros for a similar reason, and Sandalphon on any marathon map with tons of barbarians because he's so awesome. Similarly Lanun, and Ljosalfar for any map type they are broken for.

 

[WCH]

No, flavorwise the Sheaim are the only ones who should really want to summon the Infernals.

Want to, yes. Amurites are the ones who are all into research at the cost of all else, though... I see them as the ones who'd do it without really thinking about the consequences.

 

[mtagge]

For the Mercurians I think that the Sidar are the best. That way you front load the city that will get the gate (since it can't be the capital) with all the shades as Engineers and other GP that you settle. Then when he takes over the city he gets a great high production city to begin expansion and churning out his war machine.

 

[A_Hamster]

For the Mercurians, I would suggest the Lurichirp. With their worldspell you can use it a few turns before you plan to build the gate, then put all the golden hammers in that city as Great Engineers. That city can then build the gate fast (as well as any other support building you will want) and still retain the Great Engineers when you make the switch.

 

[Grey Fox]

Unless you feel its an exploit to move the Hammers since you can't really do it without disbanding the carrier.

 

[tiberion02]

I always liked Ljosalfar for Mercurians since you can use your elven workers to fully cottage a high density ancient forest site as the Mercurian capital, will start with a VERY solid production/economy/health/food rating. Plus Ljosalfar are ideal for quick teching.

 

[das]

No, flavorwise the Sheaim are the only ones who should really want to summon the Infernals.

It's like a nuclear Armageddon. Anyone who could do it would want to if driven desperate enough. Well, at least the Evil civilisations, and some of the Neutrals.