CBob01 AWM Training Day Game

[CommandoBob]

Hey,
I've never done a SG before, but I'd like to join up if y'all would have me. I'm a Monarch/Emporer level player but I've never done an AW variant. Thanks!

Welcome to the gang! SGs are fun and wild and can really grab your attention.


And welcome to the forum!

 

[Aabraxan]

Greetings, one and all!

Looks like we're waiting for one more ambitious general before we begin, are we not?

In the meantime, two points that I think we should discuss:

1) Research: where are we going & how do we get there? Obviously, trade is of limited importance. Better military units will always be valuable to us. Early on, iron and horses may be critical. On the other hand, monopoly techs are always good for that first (and in this case, only) trading opportunity.

2) Government: Do we shoot for the republic slingshot, or aim for monarchy? Given that this is AW, monarchy might be smarter. From what I have gleaned from lurking, AW is pretty much the only place you want monarchy.

What say you all?

 

[CivActuary]

Welcome to the gang! SGs are fun and wild and can really grab your attention.

Thanks CB, I'm looking forward to this. I've lurked a few games and they have already made me think about things I wouldn't normally consider playing solo.

Greetings, one and all!

Looks like we're waiting for one more ambitious general before we begin, are we not?

In the meantime, two points that I think we should discuss:

1) Research: where are we going & how do we get there? Obviously, trade is of limited importance. Better military units will always be valuable to us. Early on, iron and horses may be critical. On the other hand, monopoly techs are always good for that first (and in this case, only) trading opportunity.

2) Government: Do we shoot for the republic slingshot, or aim for monarchy? Given that this is AW, monarchy might be smarter. From what I have gleaned from lurking, AW is pretty much the only place you want monarchy.

What say you all?

1) Here's my thoughts, for what they are worth.

We are pretty much going to have to research everything ourselves, since apart from initial trading before we declare, the only other way to get techs will be from goody huts, right? Being scientific and expansionist will help here. But given we won't be trading later is it worth it to shoot for monopoly techs later on or would the path of least resistance be better (ie AIs already researched, so cheaper)?

We start with BW and Pottery, so yes, I think Horsies and Iron should be short term goals.

Which brings me to a question of my own - in Always War, do you have to declare immediately on closing the diplomacy window or just by the end of the turn? What I mean is, if we happen (slim chances) to meet 2 civs in a turn, can we broker a tech before we declare or not?

2) Monarchy for sure, IMO.

 

[Aabraxan]

We start with BW and Pottery, so yes, I think Horsies and Iron should be short term goals.

I guess I'm not clear on what you mean by this. Do you want to research them or try to trade for them?

We may be able to get the best of both worlds. Since we start w/ BW, we may be able to get a quick monopoly on IW. With a little luck and good planning, we may be able to trade it for good stuff, like The Wheel or Horseback Riding.

Edit: Before, of course, declaring war and crushing all in our path to world dominion . . .

 

[CivActuary]

I guess I'm not clear on what you mean by this. Do you want to research them or try to trade for them?

We may be able to get the best of both worlds. Since we start w/ BW, we may be able to get a quick monopoly on IW. With a little luck and good planning, we may be able to trade it for good stuff, like The Wheel or Horseback Riding.

Edit: Before, of course, declaring war and crushing all in our path to world dominion . . .

I was a bit general in just thinking those would be good things to get quickly, by either means. It might depend on who we are up against, but we could certainly begin by researching IW.

 

[Bucephalus]

We are pretty much going to have to research everything ourselves, since apart from initial trading before we declare, the only other way to get techs will be from goody huts, right?

lurker's comment: Stealing is a good option.

 

[Aabraxan]

But isn't stealing a long way off? I thought it required techs that are somewhat down the road.

 

[Bucephalus]

But isn't stealing a long way off? I thought it required techs that are somewhat down the road.

lurker's comment: No, I'm sure it's an option once you have an Embassy; does this variant allow them?

 

[CivActuary]

No, I'm sure it's an option once you have an Embassy; does this variant allow them?

You're right, I forgot about stealing (probably because I don't do very much of it). And as long as we have an ambassy, we can steal.

Can we establish embassies while at war?

 

[Bucephalus]

You're right, I forgot about stealing (probably because I don't do very much of it). And as long as we have an ambassy, we can steal.

lurker's comment: Since playing a game with Zerksees (who begrudges every cent spent on research), I'm a convert; I now do it at every opportunity. It's cheaper than researching, at least later in the game.

Can we establish embassies while at war?

Not sure, but you could on first contact.

 

[Bucephalus]

lurker's comment: I should add that chances of success vary with Govt type, and having spies definitely improves those odds.

 

[CivActuary]

Not sure, but you could on first contact.

Quite true, as long as the contact is made after we have writing.

Of course, those civs we contact before we have writing won't be long for this world anyway...

 

[CommandoBob]

1) Research: where are we going & how do we get there? Obviously, trade is of limited importance. Better military units will always be valuable to us. Early on, iron and horses may be critical. On the other hand, monopoly techs are always good for that first (and in this case, only) trading opportunity.

Good question, and I have no answer. The Ancient Age techs are fuzzy to me. I see them like insurance: something you have to have but never really use (mostly).

2) Government: Do we shoot for the republic slingshot, or aim for monarchy? Given that this is AW, monarchy might be smarter. From what I have gleaned from lurking, AW is pretty much the only place you want monarchy.

From what I've read, Republic is very stable in AW, but I could be wrong.

We shall find out together!

 

[Bucephalus]

Good question, and I have no answer. The Ancient Age techs are fuzzy to me. I see them like insurance: something you have to have but never really use (mostly).


From what I've read, Republic is very stable in AW, but I could be wrong.

lurker's comment: Surely not? War weariness would make AW in Republic impossible. In my current solo game, I'm in Republic, at war for maybe 10 turns, and I'm already seeing 30% WW. I would say Monarchy and Communism are the only two Govts that you could use for AW.

 

[Ansar]

From what I've read, Republic is very stable in AW, but I could be wrong.

lurker's comment: I really hope that was sarcasm. Republic is most certainly not good in AW (all that WW) .

Monarchy is much better IMHO, and then to Communism (IIRC).

 

[Aabraxan]

But is WW a problem if we're winning?

 

[Bucephalus]

But is WW a problem if we're winning?

lurker's comment: Of course, WW is always a problem; and in AW it will never go away.

 

[Aabraxan]

Well I certainly feel silly. I somehow thought if we could simply press forward without losing units (or not very many), that WW wouldn't really be a problem.

In that case, I'd say let's go Monarchy. Now we just have to pick our path.

My first instinct would be something like:
1) Iron Working (because we start w/ BW)
2) The Wheel
3) Horseback Riding
4) Beeline Monarchy

Obviously, this may change as we trade on first contacts.

 

[markh]

You're right, I forgot about stealing (probably because I don't do very much of it). And as long as we have an ambassy, we can steal.

Can we establish embassies while at war?

lurkers comment :

No, you cannot. Unfortunately. That would be too easy.

Taking my seat in the lurker's lounge.

 

[scoutsout]

markh got it right - you can't establish an embassy while at war. And since you need Writing to establish an embassy on first contact....you're not likely to establish many embassies.

Your only real option for stealing tech in an AW game is to research Espionage, build the Intelligence Agency, and use spies.