Can I win or not?

[dcaint]

OK folks, here's where I am.....

It's 2025 in Regent level. I am the Persians. Screenshot shows my territory. The Germans and French are the only ones left- I have conquered the Americans, Babylonians, and Iroqouis. Army stands at approx. 50 Modern Armors, all cities defended with Mech. Inf. Space Race has not progressed significantly- both I and France are several steps away on the tech tree. The army is situated along the border with France.

The Dilemma is this: My advisor says France has a comparitively weak military, although during the last war (with the Iroqouis) I saw them send dozens upon dozens of Infantry and Mech. Inf. across the border. France also beat me to the UN. The Germans are so scattered that it would be very difficult to conquer them quickly, even tho the cities are defended by a bunch of guys waving pointed sticks.

SO- to dominate, war with France is inevitable. However, if I do just start marching over there, and a UN vote comes up, I am screwed. If I do not and just let the game run out, I run the same risk of a UN vote, although there is more of a chance for me to capture the German vote.

I'd love to hear some thoughts on this one......

 

[ejday]

Originally posted by dcaint
OK folks, here's where I am...

Screenshot didn't quite make it through. Can't see territory, so can't say how easy it would be to win by domination. However much territory it is, you've got 25 turns to do it.

Based on the description alone, though, it's a tough call for other methods. Space race: almost no chance unless you can prebuild large chunks and pull through your last techs in the minimum (4 turns?) time.

You have the possibility of a UN win, but no guarantees. Most likely is if you suck up like the Mother of all Suckups.

At this point, pick one and try it. As a learning experience, though, once you've won or lost using your first strategy, go back to this saved game and try the other methods.

 

[dojoboy]

I've never seen an AI call for a UN vote it couldn't win. In other words, I believe the AI knows beforehand if its got the votes or not. The fact that France never called for an election is a good thing.

Now, first rule of thumb ---- never trust your advisors. Not because they're disloyal but because you're human and they're not. However, in this case. If your advisor says France is weak next to you, then they're weak. This does not mean Joan doesn't have a nuke laying in wait somewhere. But, if no one has reached space flight then you're okay.

My call is, if you've got 50 modern armor the game is over. GO FOR IT! However, you didn't mention anything about France's culture rating. Is it greater or lesser than your rating? For domination, you need territory and/or population. If cities flip on you then you could become very frustrated.

Also, sign a MPP w/ Germany before you declare war on France. Give them whatever they ask for. Who cares? You're gonna win right! There is nothing you could give Germany right now that could cost you the game. Unless, you don't have spies and can not tell how far along Germany' s/s is, Bismarck may be one part from completing the s/s. If you give them Lasers and that is all Bismarck needs for the 'party lounge' ..... game over. Of course, this doesn't apply in your situation right now.

 

[Txurce]

I have seen the AI call for an election, and not win. Roughly echoing Dojoboy's advice, ally with the Germans (or if not likely, sign am MPP, which is not as good), and then decalre war on the French. They won't call for an election under those circumstances. Then if you want to really relax, raze the city with the UN. You could do that then, or you can do it right now.

 

[DiamondzAndGunz]

There are several things you can do in your situation. You can, of course, with all your modern armor conquer france, especially if the advisor says your military is strong. Before you do anything, you would want to sign a MPP with Germany, just in case. If France trusts you enought to sign an ROP, you can march your modern armor right up to their cities with UN/Spaceship and capture/raze em. That'll at least prevent them from winning in the other 2 ways. Then, you can just calmly march the rest of your army through their cities.
If you go for razing the UN, you won't have to worry about your reputation, so don't worry about breaking the ROP.
To prevent those cities flipping back, conquer their territory as fast as possible, preferably in the first turn, still utilizing that ROP.

If they don't sign the ROP, sign an MPP with germany and make sure they don't have one with France. Then, you can just gradually march through and conquer them. With 50 modern armor, this should probably be a breeze.

As mentioned before, you have nothing to lose, so spend whatever you have to to get the ROP's/MPP's. Since you said you guys haven't even researched the techs for the final spaceship parts, it shouldnt be a problem to give them whatever they want. Giving France GPT for the ROP, if you have to, would work out great, since it'll just get cancelled as soon as you declare war.

 

[dcaint]

Well, here it is-

Rolled the armor across the borders, and swallowed up nearly half of France in 14 or 15 turns. Finally had to sue for peace, as my people were starting to really get war-weary.

One questions, though- as I planned the attack In realized I didn't know where all of France's GW's were, and would up spending a bunch of gold to find them through city investigation. What happened to CivII's list of GW's? Is there a way to find that out without the embassy doing it?

 

[Beamup]

F7 brings up a Wonder summary screen.

Also, in your position, Wonders are irrelevant. So is war weariness. You should have started a revolution to get into Communism so that you could continue your war - after all, if you stop the war, you lose. Thus continuing the war must take priority over all other considerations.

 

[dojoboy]

Originally posted by Beamup
F7 brings up a Wonder summary screen.

Also, in your position, Wonders are irrelevant. So is war weariness. You should have started a revolution to get into Communism so that you could continue your war - after all, if you stop the war, you lose. Thus continuing the war must take priority over all other considerations.

Beamup is right. Try jacking up your luxury rate, say to 30 - 40 %. This should squelch WW for a while. You don't need to do this under communism however. Communism is the best option if you've got it.

Question: Did you 'mobilize' your economy. This option is found on the F1 screen. It allows you to build units at a increased produciton rate, because your people are throwing all their resources into the war. However, you will not be allowed to build culture or commerce oriented facilites while mobilized. But, in your situation who cares - you will not need them.