Best Civilization
- Thread starter XAVI ACE
- Start date
What's the most fun to play!!
Actually, it all depends on your playing style.
If you want to fight your way to a domination victory, you want a militaristic civ (Persian and Babylonian seem to be favorites here). If you want a (relatively) peaceful game, you might try the French - industrious and commercial. This is not to say that the French can't have a kick-a** military, or the Babs can't live peaceably with their neighbors, just that in game terms, to do so kind of goes against 'type'.
FWIW, most polls I've seen on the subject rate 'Industrious' as the best civ trait. I can't argue; I hate playing a non-industrious civ.
My suggestion would be to open the manual and check the list of civs and their traits back in the appendix (I think - I'm at work and don't have the manual in front of me). Pick one that seems to combine two of the traits you would most prefer. Then give it a whirl!
If you want to fight your way to a domination victory, you want a militaristic civ (Persian and Babylonian seem to be favorites here). If you want a (relatively) peaceful game, you might try the French - industrious and commercial. This is not to say that the French can't have a kick-a** military, or the Babs can't live peaceably with their neighbors, just that in game terms, to do so kind of goes against 'type'.
FWIW, most polls I've seen on the subject rate 'Industrious' as the best civ trait. I can't argue; I hate playing a non-industrious civ.
My suggestion would be to open the manual and check the list of civs and their traits back in the appendix (I think - I'm at work and don't have the manual in front of me). Pick one that seems to combine two of the traits you would most prefer. Then give it a whirl!
Ohwell
Deity
GERMANY! Scientific+Militaristic=
Oh how I love them....
Oh how I love them....
Brutal
Chieftain
I like the Indians mostly because they are commercial which means lower corruption and religious which means cheaper temples, cathedrals, and overthrowing gov only takes one turn. Their war elephants usually come at a great time and really can do some damage if the others are not too far ahead of you. I also like the egyptians they are also religious (see above) and industrious which makes your workers little speed demons when going about their tasks. Never hesitate to build cities in jungles with egyptian workers around. Hope this helps. The one great tip I can give someone that is new is settlers, settlers, settlers, workers, workers, workers. Build lots of cities as fast as you can and build plenty of workers to get the roads and mines needed to make them productive. Dont automate workers until towns are firmly established. They are lazy about building mines and connecting towns. So keep control of them for a while.
Germans would be cool if I could learn how to use them. I always end up flopping because I'm fighting between my science and my military.
My suggestion would be either Greeks, French, Aztecs, or Ruskies. Their attributes work well together.
My suggestion would be either Greeks, French, Aztecs, or Ruskies. Their attributes work well together.
Phantis86
Chieftain
I would say definitely the Indians.
They are a great civilization to play, even though some people find the religious skill worthless.
It is very important when you are changing governments later in the game. Later, you will want a Democracy except when you are at war. When you are at war, you may want to change to Monarchy or Communism to adviod war weariness. One turn of Anarcy helps more than you may think.
I am currently playing a game with the Indians on the Chieftain difficulty level. I am in the 1770's and already have flight and many other industrial age technologies.
If you want some good starter strategies, I recommend going to the strategy forum and searching for a thread called "From the outside in" by ButSam. It helped me out a lot, and I think it is a really great strategy.
EDIT: Their culture is easy to work with too.
In my current game, I used the From the outside in strategy and took over about 4 small cities, 1 medium city, and 1 large city of 8 people in the 1200's - 1500's AD. Almost all of my citizens are happy and I have more Great Wonders than all the other civs combined that I am playing with. Don't froget, however, I am playing on the Chieftain difficulty level.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
They are a great civilization to play, even though some people find the religious skill worthless.
It is very important when you are changing governments later in the game. Later, you will want a Democracy except when you are at war. When you are at war, you may want to change to Monarchy or Communism to adviod war weariness. One turn of Anarcy helps more than you may think.
I am currently playing a game with the Indians on the Chieftain difficulty level. I am in the 1770's and already have flight and many other industrial age technologies.
If you want some good starter strategies, I recommend going to the strategy forum and searching for a thread called "From the outside in" by ButSam. It helped me out a lot, and I think it is a really great strategy.
EDIT: Their culture is easy to work with too.
In my current game, I used the From the outside in strategy and took over about 4 small cities, 1 medium city, and 1 large city of 8 people in the 1200's - 1500's AD. Almost all of my citizens are happy and I have more Great Wonders than all the other civs combined that I am playing with. Don't froget, however, I am playing on the Chieftain difficulty level.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Arrian
Warlord
Ok, I'll bite.
As others have pointed out, it totally depends on your playing style, but for me, the Babylonians win hands down. I'm neither a completely peaceful builder nor a warmonger. I like to build up peacefully and then, once I hit a sort of "critical mass," conquer a few civs and then settle down and build the spaceship. My most dominant games (playing Monarch) have been as the Babs, and several of them could easily have ended as "domination" victories, if only I'd had the patience to keep fighting... which I find gets dull after a while. Once I have access to all 8 luxuries and all the necessary strategic resources I just don't care to fight anymore, but that's me.
Civ traits - Religious/Scientific.
If left alone for a while in decent terrain, the Babylonians are a timebomb. Religious provides cheap temples (and later cathedrals) to get those borders to size 2 quickly, and keep your people happy, not to mention contributing to your overall culture. Additionally, government switching costs you only 1 turn of anarchy, which is a HUGE advantage (I switch twice: despotism-> republic->democracy). That's 2 turns of anarch instead or 10 or so. Scientific provides cheap libraries and universities (which, of course, also provide tons of culture), plus a free tech per age (3 total, then). On its own, it's nice. Put together with religious, it's awesome. The turn advantage you get from 1 turn anarchy, added to a free tech per age and the ease with which you can build your key city improvements just plain ROCKS. You will find you have plenty of time to build up your armed forces... and rest assured they will be top of the line (technologically speaking, of course).
The beauty of the babylonians is that you may never need to fight, but if you do, you will do just as well as a militaristic civ (better, in my opinion), due to the fact that you should have better tech and more units (stronger economy/core cities). Build the right wonders, and you can essentially MAKE yourself militaristic (Sun Tzu + heroic epic). The Babs also excell at cultural war, of course. A rival beat you to a key city site early on? No problem, build your city as close as you can, and rush all the cultural improvements, and watch that rival city become your city.
For a new player, the Babs just make a number of things easier.
This is not to say that other civs aren't any good. Not at all. The Persians are also solid, as are the Egyptians (though beware their usual neighbors, the tough-to-conquer early on Romans and Greeks). Industrious gives you a nice jumpstart on expansion (quick roadbuilding/mining near your core cities) and is really nice once you start building railroads.
The Iroquois have that NASTY Mounted Warrior, and the French, I'm told, have a pretty solid combo of attributes, though I've never played them myself. Again, civ choice depends on your playing style, not to mention the type of world (expansionist civs do better on larger worlds, for instance).
-Arrian
As others have pointed out, it totally depends on your playing style, but for me, the Babylonians win hands down. I'm neither a completely peaceful builder nor a warmonger. I like to build up peacefully and then, once I hit a sort of "critical mass," conquer a few civs and then settle down and build the spaceship. My most dominant games (playing Monarch) have been as the Babs, and several of them could easily have ended as "domination" victories, if only I'd had the patience to keep fighting... which I find gets dull after a while. Once I have access to all 8 luxuries and all the necessary strategic resources I just don't care to fight anymore, but that's me.
Civ traits - Religious/Scientific.
If left alone for a while in decent terrain, the Babylonians are a timebomb. Religious provides cheap temples (and later cathedrals) to get those borders to size 2 quickly, and keep your people happy, not to mention contributing to your overall culture. Additionally, government switching costs you only 1 turn of anarchy, which is a HUGE advantage (I switch twice: despotism-> republic->democracy). That's 2 turns of anarch instead or 10 or so. Scientific provides cheap libraries and universities (which, of course, also provide tons of culture), plus a free tech per age (3 total, then). On its own, it's nice. Put together with religious, it's awesome. The turn advantage you get from 1 turn anarchy, added to a free tech per age and the ease with which you can build your key city improvements just plain ROCKS. You will find you have plenty of time to build up your armed forces... and rest assured they will be top of the line (technologically speaking, of course).
The beauty of the babylonians is that you may never need to fight, but if you do, you will do just as well as a militaristic civ (better, in my opinion), due to the fact that you should have better tech and more units (stronger economy/core cities). Build the right wonders, and you can essentially MAKE yourself militaristic (Sun Tzu + heroic epic). The Babs also excell at cultural war, of course. A rival beat you to a key city site early on? No problem, build your city as close as you can, and rush all the cultural improvements, and watch that rival city become your city.
For a new player, the Babs just make a number of things easier.
This is not to say that other civs aren't any good. Not at all. The Persians are also solid, as are the Egyptians (though beware their usual neighbors, the tough-to-conquer early on Romans and Greeks). Industrious gives you a nice jumpstart on expansion (quick roadbuilding/mining near your core cities) and is really nice once you start building railroads.
The Iroquois have that NASTY Mounted Warrior, and the French, I'm told, have a pretty solid combo of attributes, though I've never played them myself. Again, civ choice depends on your playing style, not to mention the type of world (expansionist civs do better on larger worlds, for instance).
-Arrian
: Guys - have You forgotten about the Japanese???
ferenginar
Grand Nagus
The japs sounded pretty good to me, but in the end I started my first game with the Babs, religious & ? , I can't remember, but it sounded good for cultural expansionism. My plan was to absorb as many oppo cities. I claimed three early on but then came to a halt and had to turn militaristics to expand further. My science was way above so the destruction of Aztecs was a piece of cake and the Persians are following suit. The french have taken over the germans so I colonize next to german cities and they revolt and change sides. Everything going to plan so far, 7 cities come beggging for my culture. next time something different, after all there are plenty of new strategies to develop, and I don't wan't to decide which civ suits me best until a long time from now if ever. Maybe a civ doesn't suit your style as much as your mood.
ferenginar
ferenginar
At high difficulty levels (Emperor and Deity) where you need every advantage, I've found that a few civs stand apart from the rest.
Babylon: Scientific + Religious = cheap city improvements that generate lots of culture. They also have an excellent special unit in the Bowman (2/2/1) that can be built right off the bat with no special resources.
Persia: Scientific + Industrious = Fast terraforming = fast tech research and solid economic base. Also the Persians have the best special unit in the game in the Immortal (4/2/1), even if they do require iron.
Greece: Scientific + Commercial = loads of cash, a requirement for tech brokering which is a requirement for victory on Deity level. The Hoplite (1/3/1) is also an excellent special unit that can be built off the bat and can even defend in the middle ages against Knights.
Germany: Scientific + Militaristic = most dangerous combination in a computer controlled civ. The Germans rarely have a large civ, but it is almost always technologically advanced and backed by a large military. As a player civ the Germans are capable and possess a nice special unit in the Panzer (16/8/3), but it's so much harder to conquer civs at high difficulty levels so the Military trait becomes less useful.
Expansionist civs tend to be less useful since the AI expands so fast anyhows and the goody huts rarely provide anything useful on Deity level (it is possible to get a settler though, just pretty rare).
Peaceful, cultural civs like India and Egypt are also extremely dangerous once they've expanded. Their cities are nearly impossible to assimilate and if you're not careful they will gobble up some of yours. Also, going to war against these civs pretty much means that you'll have to raze their cities in order to hold their land since their culture is so strong. I've had cities flip in less than 3 turns despite the presence of 10+ units.
It's totally possible to win on Deity with America, England, France, or any civ for that matter. But it's much easier in my opinion to go with Babylon, Persia, or Greece. On Emperor and Deity you'll be playing a lot of catch up and these civs have the most to offer. Science for techs, Industry for city improvements, and Commerce for gold. All translate into assets that can be traded to the AI for technology. Also, these civs have excellent special units that all appear in ancient times in case you need to fight an early war.
Babylon: Scientific + Religious = cheap city improvements that generate lots of culture. They also have an excellent special unit in the Bowman (2/2/1) that can be built right off the bat with no special resources.
Persia: Scientific + Industrious = Fast terraforming = fast tech research and solid economic base. Also the Persians have the best special unit in the game in the Immortal (4/2/1), even if they do require iron.
Greece: Scientific + Commercial = loads of cash, a requirement for tech brokering which is a requirement for victory on Deity level. The Hoplite (1/3/1) is also an excellent special unit that can be built off the bat and can even defend in the middle ages against Knights.
Germany: Scientific + Militaristic = most dangerous combination in a computer controlled civ. The Germans rarely have a large civ, but it is almost always technologically advanced and backed by a large military. As a player civ the Germans are capable and possess a nice special unit in the Panzer (16/8/3), but it's so much harder to conquer civs at high difficulty levels so the Military trait becomes less useful.
Expansionist civs tend to be less useful since the AI expands so fast anyhows and the goody huts rarely provide anything useful on Deity level (it is possible to get a settler though, just pretty rare).
Peaceful, cultural civs like India and Egypt are also extremely dangerous once they've expanded. Their cities are nearly impossible to assimilate and if you're not careful they will gobble up some of yours. Also, going to war against these civs pretty much means that you'll have to raze their cities in order to hold their land since their culture is so strong. I've had cities flip in less than 3 turns despite the presence of 10+ units.
It's totally possible to win on Deity with America, England, France, or any civ for that matter. But it's much easier in my opinion to go with Babylon, Persia, or Greece. On Emperor and Deity you'll be playing a lot of catch up and these civs have the most to offer. Science for techs, Industry for city improvements, and Commerce for gold. All translate into assets that can be traded to the AI for technology. Also, these civs have excellent special units that all appear in ancient times in case you need to fight an early war.
I prefer Persia or France but I am a "peaceful nation". I always try to out research the other civilzations and monopolise all the wonders that I can. I build a small but definately powerful army of defense: spearmen -> pikemen -> muskets -> etc.
I try and stay out of all conflicts possible but I always seem to get hit sooner or later by some computer who is jealous of my lands, research, culture and small military. When that happens I go to the biggest (or second biggest) nation and give them anything they want to enter a military alliance with me and attack my aggressor.
While the aggressor is busy throwing their military might at me while I get a 10X1 kill ratio because of my large fortified cities my "ally" is literally taking city after city because the aggressor usually throws everything they have at me.
After the aggressor falls back to try and defend what is left of their crippled civilzation I just continue on while the rest of the world almost always seems to enter a huge WORLD WAR while military alliances form and all chaos breaks loose.
I oddly seems completely left alone while the computers throw their massive armies at each other while I build markets, libraries, factories, etc with minimal need for any conflict.
After the dust falls and most of the nations are either dead, crippled or are far behind so I win with usually a space race victory. This method is not for everyone but this works for me and I win the far majority of the time
I try and stay out of all conflicts possible but I always seem to get hit sooner or later by some computer who is jealous of my lands, research, culture and small military. When that happens I go to the biggest (or second biggest) nation and give them anything they want to enter a military alliance with me and attack my aggressor.
While the aggressor is busy throwing their military might at me while I get a 10X1 kill ratio because of my large fortified cities my "ally" is literally taking city after city because the aggressor usually throws everything they have at me.
After the aggressor falls back to try and defend what is left of their crippled civilzation I just continue on while the rest of the world almost always seems to enter a huge WORLD WAR while military alliances form and all chaos breaks loose.
I oddly seems completely left alone while the computers throw their massive armies at each other while I build markets, libraries, factories, etc with minimal need for any conflict.
After the dust falls and most of the nations are either dead, crippled or are far behind so I win with usually a space race victory. This method is not for everyone but this works for me and I win the far majority of the time
:rocket2:
I like the babylonians also. Bronze working (the scientific ability) is good because (I believe, check the civilopedia) it gives you warrior code, which in turn gives you access to the bowman, a very good unit. But my city governers are idiots because, although i've got the 2.2.1 bowman, they choose to build the 1.1.1 warrior! Or the spearman.
Religious is also strong because you can get temples easily, which make your culture grow, which, teamed up with your high-tech military might from science, makes your opponents cities YOURS.
I like the babylonians also. Bronze working (the scientific ability) is good because (I believe, check the civilopedia) it gives you warrior code, which in turn gives you access to the bowman, a very good unit. But my city governers are idiots because, although i've got the 2.2.1 bowman, they choose to build the 1.1.1 warrior! Or the spearman.
Religious is also strong because you can get temples easily, which make your culture grow, which, teamed up with your high-tech military might from science, makes your opponents cities YOURS.
Originally posted by Ohwell
GERMANY! Scientific+Militaristic=
Oh how I love them....
Let me also list the Germans among my successful civs. All of you who sing the praises of the religious civs beware the scientific and other civs....I consistently dominate using my beloved deutsche. Half price Libraries are so much better than half price temples: 3 vs 2 culture points. And all of you religious civ people completely overestimate the value of switching gov'ts w/o anarchy-- i will take my extra wonder or two over that any time, esp if it's one well used..........Pray to your gods, Germany is upon you!!!!!!
