One of the best parts of playing on marathon was that the AI civs that started with hunting had an awful rough time defending against the starting warrior
Would be better to play BTS HOF on 3.02 because it has less bugs, generally in civilopedia. I use civilopedia quite often so can't update to 3.03 :/ hope the new patch will be out soon
and so i don't use the HoF mod for my BtS games.
Unless I'm remembering incorrectly, but can't you use the 3.03.001 HOF Mod with version 3.02? I'm sure that you can, so you all may want to try it.
Got 1440Ad (epic, gandhi), captured only London. Problem is that if rushing too fast city maintenance will kill research. Gotta try rushing 2 instead. Also built only 4 cities and remembered too late that globe needs 5. Also popped at least 3 prophets because AI wanted me to go for priests and didnt notice (although oracle helped a bit too). Not that 1 GAge nor holy building wont do good but 3rd was absolytely waste.
-Dracandross
Nice finishing date
I just wonder how you get your finances up with Gandhi. When I try to play him, with 4 early cities my research is down to 40-50%. Not enough to get such an early finish date. Perhaps you have some more details for your early turns?
Hmm, I think I didn't even do very good job there though couldnt improve, got another at 1440 and 3rd 1430. Starting city should have good research potential for example gold or gems and floods for cottage spam. Usually few of other cities have at least seafood that give nice coins, but needs detour to fishing though (could go road+fish instead of agri if lotsa seafood there). If you plan to take 3-4 cities remember that your capital should be in the middle of those or upkeep will kill you. Also moving bit closer to AI cities might do the job.
Don't mind if your research drops low early on when you get 4 cities up with few cottages they start to work. AI research is so slow on this difficulty so you can easily aim for growing. Wait a while at least with 1-2 of the cities so that AI pops worker. First 2 cities should go with 1-2 warrs and 3rd might take 3. So you need to build maximum of 5 those which will give garrison for each too.
I think I researched buddhism (maybe hinduism too) then went for pottery, writing. Not sure if I had AIs left so might skipped alpha and shot for math+col. Slighshotted CS as you can have 2 prophets in this one, early one will give nicely holy city and second for GA.
-Dracandross
So you don't keep the AI for trading - you just use them to avoid building settlers. Are you playing with 7 opponents or 4?
When attacking you normally loose 1 warrior. Are 5 really enough to take 3 cities? Never tried that. Could be nice if it works.
Well if I delay capturing AI cities they build archers and few warriors wont do the job. Also capitals are better positioned. So yes I kill those or all but one (mansa as he trades everything) on my island. Therefore of course max opponents.
When you attack AI has either no warriors or just 1. 1-2 cities go with no defenders and 1-3 then with 1 warrior for a total of 3 to 4 cities. If they are not on a hill you lose usually just one warrior. Therefore you need just max 3 warriors to waste. Also 2nd warrior gets promo to increase effectiveness. This works on normal+ on this diff easily I think but at least with epic+. On quick just 1 city less or few warrs more.
-Dracandross
Got 1440Ad (epic, gandhi), captured only London. Problem is that if rushing too fast city maintenance will kill research. Gotta try rushing 2 instead. Also built only 4 cities and remembered too late that globe needs 5. Also popped at least 3 prophets because AI wanted me to go for priests and didnt notice (although oracle helped a bit too). Not that 1 GAge nor holy building wont do good but 3rd was absolytely waste.
-Dracandross
Yesterday I made my last try with this gauntlet with Gandhi. Had a really nice start, founded 5 religions, let Churchill survive on initial continent for trading. When I am already in culture phase Catherine discovered us and I started to trade missing technologies. She was so pleased, she offered a "defensive pact" 2 rounds before I got my 3 legendary city in 16xx. I accepted this offer to be sure she is calm. I pressed Enter and ... she declared war and immediately captured my 3rd legendary city one turn before finish.
Catherine - now the same will happen as last time you did it. My next game I will choose her as my civ.
Wow that sucks! Culture games I still have a military city that pumps out units to keep my power graph at a decent level to try and avoid DoW. How did she capture your city the same turn she declared? Shouldn't it have had a large culture boundary if it was nearly legendary? Even naval invasion take 2 turns. Better luck next time.
Pleased isnt good enough for Catherine. She'll still attack at pleased (sometimes).