BOTM 287 - Pacal, Monarch - Starts February 15, 2025

[MarleysGh0st]

BOTM 287: Pacal of Sumeria.

You are Pacal of Sumeria. Wait, of Sumeria? Is this reality or a fever dream alternate reality? Just proceed to play a game where
nothing appears as it ought to. Be warned! While Humbaba is not present in this game, there are Four Horsemen. Ehhh, they will probably
be more trouble for the AI than for you.

Game settings:
Playing as: Pacal of Sumeria
Rivals: 6 AIs
Difficulty: Monarch
Starting Era: Ancient
Speed: Normal
Options: Unrestricted leaders, random personalities, choose religions, no goody huts, no random events
Victory Conditions: All enabled

Map settings:
Map: Fantasy Realm
World Wrap: Toroidal
Mapsize: Standard
Climate: Temperate
Sea level: Medium
Map latitudes: -90°S to 90°N


Pacal is Financial and Expansive, and you start with The Wheel and Agriculture.

The Financial trait gives +1 commerce on any plot that already has at least 2 commerce

The Expansive trait gives +2 health/city and +25% hammers for worker production and double production speed of Granary and Harbor

Unique unit: Vulture (replaces Axeman)
The vulture is stronger than the axeman, with a base strength of 6 instead of 5. But beware - it only gets a +25% bonus against melee units, compared to the axeman's +50%.

Unique Building: Ziggurat (replaces Courthouse)
The ziggurat is cheaper than the courthouse - 90 hammers versus 120 hammers on normal speed. And it requires knowledge of priesthood instead of code of laws, so you may be able to build it earlier in the game if you want.

Starting screenshot

This is the start of the game (click for a bigger image):



Adventurer Class bonuses:
You play at Noble difficulty. The AI still have the starting units for Monarch difficulty.

Challenger Class Equalizers:
You play at Immortal difficulty. The AI still have the starting units for Monarch difficulty.

To Enter the Competition:

This competition will open at 00:01 am on 15 Feb 2025, server local time (UTC-6:00). From that date and time, you'll be able to get your chosen starting save >>>here<<<.

Submit the save after your victory (or defeat) here, by 23 Mar 2025.

Here is a link to a list of the differences between Vanilla, Warlords and BtS.

Software Versions

Windows: This game MUST be played in Beyond the Sword (NOT Civ4 Vanilla or Warlords), patched to version 3.19, and with the BUFFY mod version 3.19.005 installed. You can download the BUFFY mod here. Players using Windows Vista or Windows 7 are encouraged to read the notes on Vista fixes here.


Macintosh: This game MUST be played in Beyond the Sword (NOT Civ4 Vanilla or Warlords), patched to version 3.19, and with the Mac BUFFY mod version 3.19.003 installed. You can download the Mac BUFFY mod here.

While playing...

Remember - for your entry to be accepted, it MUST be your first attempt to play this game, and you MUST NOT replay any turns. If you make a mistake while playing, you have to live with it, learn from it, and carry on the game without replaying.

We will open 'spoiler' threads during the month for players to discuss what happens in their games. Do not discuss any details of your game outside those threads.

 

[MarleysGh0st]

I'm posting this game a little late, but I wanted to let it start on time for our normal mid-month schedule. I've added some extra time to the end date. If you want more time to discuss pregame strategy, just wait a while before starting to play. But if you've finished the other two BOTM games that are still in progress and you're eager to start a new one, dive right in!

 

[Noble Zarkon]

It's almost like untethering Civs and Leaders isn't a new idea for this series

 

[LowtherCastle]

Love the combination of techs, traits and unique unit and bldg. Decent start too. Toroidal will be a pita.

 

[lymond]

I despise Toroidal.

Not the most synergistic combo, but Sumer starting techs are better

 

[Conquistador 63]

SIP for at least 4 (financial) floodplains, or 1SE for the extra and Deer on the capital? Moving warrior 1E first.
Agreed Toroidal can be disorienting and harder to play defensively, but at least it lowers also increases distance maintenance (compared to flat and cylindrical world wrap), right?
Also, with our UB, this could make it a bit easier to support fast expansion, from an economic standpoint.

EDIT: @High King J.J. corrected me, on Toroidal distance maintenance is higher

 

[High King J.J.]

I hate Fantasy Realm terrain. Well, if the mapmaker gives me ice then I scream. Same for deserts. "It came from the dessert!" (Not a film I'd like to see.)
I wonder about the resource settings. There could be some surprises if any mapmaker ever used that setting.
About Toroidal, doesn't it increase the maintenance? Sure the longest distances are lower but the game compensates with a higher cost ratio?
Too bad the 'phant tile gives only 2 hammers if settled. That would still be a good approximation of an ivory tower from which a president makes with the in the slavery cost reducing wonder and unleashes the four horsemen which may in fact be Cossacks to pillage the world. Talk about unrestricted random personalities...

 

[LowtherCastle]

I hate Fantasy Realm terrain. Well, if the mapmaker gives me ice then I scream. Same for deserts. "It came from the dessert!" (Not a film I'd like to see.)
I wonder about the resource settings. There could be some surprises if any mapmaker ever used that setting.
About Toroidal, doesn't it increase the maintenance? Sure the longest distances are lower but the game compensates with a higher cost ratio?
Too bad the 'phant tile gives only 2 hammers if settled. That would still be a good approximation of an ivory tower from which a president makes with the in the slavery cost reducing wonder and unleashes the four horsemen which may in fact be Cossacks to pillage the world. Talk about unrestricted random personalities...

I read this. Then knew I needed more coffee. Then reread it. Still not sure I understand it but it’s captivating. I even think I agree but with what?

 

[High King J.J.]

I read this. Then knew I needed more coffee. Then reread it. Still not sure I understand it but it’s captivating. I even think I agree but with what?

To avoid getting banned I can't write in (plain) English. However I think someone who lives in his own fantasy world ivory tower is now in the position to a lot of civs.
In a certain country there's leader from a party that has a symbolic animal. Very erratic, rather too old, rather too crazy, likes to make deals and doesn't understand he's the laughing stock of billions. Lies only when he talks.
There's a certain wonder in Civ4 that reduces whipping costs. In that wonder lurks a dictator who likes to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity.
If those 2 make a deal like Molotov and Ribbentrop did then let the world beware. (Yes, a quote from Conan the Destroyer).
There's a certain Book that includes a book that contains revelations. They include 4 horsemen that symbolize rather unpleasant developments.

 

[lymond]

Moderator Action: ...and let's leave it at that, please. thank you - lymond

 

[LowtherCastle]

Getting right back on track, I was surprised by some test results showing toroidal only a small percentage more in maintenance costs than cylindrical and even less percentage to flat.

 

[High King J.J.]

Some people take studying this game to such high levels that others (myself) are rendered speechless in awe. I will try to express said speechlessness which will no doubt bring joy to many.

No O- (offence) intended towards anyone, only mild sarcasm towards self. I now dive to the calming waters of Loch Speechless Ness. Maybe I'll find the Nessie?

 

[nocho]

We might need spoiler threads.

 

[MarleysGh0st]

We might need spoiler threads.

Oops!

Spoiler threads are now up.