Can we have easier games?

[basmans_grob]

I can't cope with Immortal games even with the easier start!

 

[Gnejs]

I can't cope with Immortal games even with the easier start!

Why not play the current GOTM or WOTM instead? Those are at much lower difficulty levels. Or even better, participate in the spoiler threads even if your game is a disaster. There are lots of helpful people here who can give you advice on how to improve your game. When I started playing the GOTM series I couldn't dream of beating Immortal. Now I do it regularly. The key to me was to play at difficulty levels that I didn't already master and to try to pick up ideas from the best players.

 

[Ronnie1]

I agree 100% with what he said! When I started GOTM's 2 years ago, I was barely a Prince level player. Now I can hold my own on Immortal with a decent start, and beat Emperor unless I make stupid mistakes, which I still do.

 

[Warden USA]

Please try, I didn't make it that long and would love someone to take the red ambulance from me!

 

[kcd_swede]

Please try, I didn't make it that long and would love someone to take the red ambulance from me!

You can't improve by playing at levels you can win comfortably. You get better by challenging yourself. Learn why Immortal is different than Noble. How do you counter that? Participate in the discussions and check out the strategy & tips sections. You won't regret it. OTOH... if you are only interested in winging it anyhow, perhaps LHC or other non-competetive series is more to your taste than gotms...

Whatever is fun... I spent all of 11 minutes on a deity level gotm and had lots of laughs doing so. But before I came here I thought noble level was challenging.... and now I know why it isn't so it isn't.

 

[blastoidstalker]

I agree with those above, Playing the levels above your comfort are the best way to learn, some of my favorite GOTM moments are from times that I lost. One thing to do is to set managable goals for these higher levels, to get to certain points in the game or to found a certain number of cities, build a certain wonder or to take a certain # of rival cities) even if you end up crumbling after, making the managable goal can be rewarding even if the hords of enemies eventualy get you.

 

[Harbourboy]

I get blown away at every single GOTM, no matter what the level! But I keep coming back for more.

 

[magpie_robert]

I agree with the above and I would also suggest joining the HOF. Try playing in some of the Gauntlets as their discussions also help you learn new tactics.

Like people above, I was a Noble player when I joined CFC. Now I regularly play Monarch and recently achieved my first victory at Immortal level in a HOF Gauntlet.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I have to admit to some puzzlement at the original request since at the time it was made, we were running a warlord level GOTM, a noble level WOTM and immortal level BOTM. How much easier than warlord and noble could we possibly make the games?

Totally agree with the comments about trying to play above your skillset. And as always, we try to make sure that as far as possible there are games catering to a broad range of skill levels at any one time.

 

[kcd_swede]

Totally agree with the comments about trying to play above your skillset. And as always, we try to make sure that as far as possible there are games catering to a broad range of skill levels at any one time.

Easier games don't make the XOTM competition easier. On the contrary, in my limited experience, the lower the level the more people finish ahead of me. Just winning my standard playstyle isn't enough. I for one get much more joy from doing something (anything) well at a high level than doing the usual at a low level. Its only when the game is at my skill level -monarch/emperor- where winning the game is the difference between a good finish and a bad finish in the competition.

One suggestion on how to address the concern stated in this thread, though, is to provide bigger advantages for the Adventurer saves when the levels get high.

 

[lroumen]

I think the whole idea of the original poster is that you at least win in the game.

I tend to agree somewhat. I don't play to beat other XOTM players. I just like to play the game for a challenge and my goal is just to win the save.

I don't like extremely high difficulty levels because it doesn't make the AI any smarter, but just gives them a head start and many bonuses. Often it forces you down a well-known tech path that helps you to keep up with them or ahead of them.

 

[kcd_swede]

I think the whole idea of the original poster is that you at least win in the game.

I tend to agree somewhat. I don't play to beat other XOTM players. I just like to play the game for a challenge and my goal is just to win the save.

I don't like extremely high difficulty levels because it doesn't make the AI any smarter, but just gives them a head start and many bonuses. Often it forces you down a well-known tech path that helps you to keep up with them or ahead of them.

That's fine. There are other periodic games about which allow you to compare strategies with each other, such as the Lonely Hearts Club games and the All Leader Challenges. You can choose your own level and reload as many times as you wish, and discuss the strategies that worked and didn't work.

The fact of the matter is that XOTM's are a competition, in addition to being a way to benchmark your skills. To be accessible to all, it surely should have some low level games... but to be interesting to others it must also have enough upper level games to be challenging. I'm happy with the mix as it is (and I am by no means a regular winner on Emperor or above).

 

[hellwitch]

IMO the mix is good. Personaly i find it easy because i prefer to play Deity when i have time for Civ. Yes it is immosible to win 70-80% of the games but the wins are very very much satisfying. I am also very excited with Multiplayer games. The AI's(humans) are hardest there.