BTS Core Value for Warlords Playa

[Longrunner]

Hi,

Are there improvements in the core Civ game in the BTS upgrade, beyond adding "more stuff", that would justify a relative novice stepping up from the Warlords expansion to BTS?

I've been playing Civ 4 for... a while off and on, and have Warlords. I finally --- finally --- feel like I'm understanding the ins and outs of the game concepts (to me, this is a very complex game, with a super friendly UI that trivializes the game depth). I'm just now winning Domination and Conquest victories on Warlords and Noble difficulties via straight war mongering. Often, I just ignore certain game aspects such as the Wonders, in my troop buildup and desire to feed the war machine.

So... I haven't hit the depth of the gameplay offered that I have. I'm thinking that BTS is wasted on me, as I just don't need more civs, don't need more game systems (espionage, corporations), don't need *more* of anything.
BUT -- are improvements to the core system? I'd consider Vassal States a core improvement, as it helps me finish Conquest victories much faster than hunting down rogue island cities... I'm not sure if anything core is really offered in BTS.

Thanks.

 

[Virulent]

Espionage is a core improvement. Trust me on this, it vastly changes the way the game is played.

All of the others improvements such as corporations, extra units, and general tweaks and balances might not seem to add much individually but taken together as a whole change the game quite a bit.

So yes to answer your question BtS adds a lot of core improvement to Civ IV much more than Warlords.