Civ veteran getting my arse kicked in Civ5

[Eldgrim]

Hello!

I just bought Civ5 off steam. I tried the demo back when it was released but i did not like it then.

Alright so here's my problem. The AI is much better in science than me! They build wonders and always got an edge over me. I started on Chieftain to learn the game o_O

I did 3-4 games and gave up because the AI would reach classical era before me but not by much but then they get into the next one waaayy before me. By then i have like 5-6 towns. I link my towns with roads...it seems road on tile improvements are no longer necessary. I use the germans because of their skills with barbarians. I build my army with captured barbarians and then i keep 3-4 squads of melee/archers to fight barbs all over the map.

I did not find any screen to adjust science/economy focus like previous civ.

Is there a war mode like like civ4?

that's it for now...sorry for bad english!

Oh! I my style of play for Civs has always been science focused, with barely enough military to defend myself. But going all out if a nation declared war. It might be the military style of Civ5 that might not help since i never played that way.

 

[Gucumatz]

Could you perhaps post a save? So I guess you are doing vanilla rather than Gods and Kings?

Well there are simple things you should be doing then if its vanilla - build libraries in all cities, sign research agreements whenever you can, go rationalism, get universities and on chieftain you should be able to grow easily in pop so it doesn't really matter if you assign specialists or not.

Don't forget to build the national college and if you have an early great scientist settle him.
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Just some basic tips

 

[Eldgrim]

I am playing Gods and Kings!

I do not know how to post a game save. Going to search the forums a bit and i will post it.

 

[Eldgrim]

Here it is!

 

[omnivore]

I don't know for sure but I think you may be overly worried if they get to a new era ahead of you. They may be beelining for a tech, but that doesn't mean they have all the techs by any means. Try putting the score list up, the option is in a menu somewhere, and see if you are really falling that far behind. If you have played any Civ game ever, you shouldn't be falling behind on Cheiftain.

 

[joncnunn]

The AI may have belined to a Midevil tech and bypassed several ancient ones.

Also build the National College early; only found a 3rd city before it if its not going to significantly delay it.

Also unless your playing the Babylonians you probably aren't going to get a great scientist so early that you should settle him.

 

[Dentalfury]

I would recommend you watch a few Let's Play Civ5 on youtube. You don't need to focus on any one in particular in my opinion (Look at several). A lot of people might point you to one post or another because of it's in-depth high end strategizing but for a beginning player you should just worry about the mechanics.

Also, when it comes to tech, remember that in Civ5 your research is pegged to your population more than anything. There is no allocation slider anymore, like in previous civ games, and you need to focus on building science buildings (Libraries, etc.) and growing your population. Some Wonders(National and World) can also help as well.

For extra science you could also generate Great Scientists to either build an Academy Tile Improvement for long term science games or burn him immediately for a number of turns worth of research. Research agreements and working with City-States can also help.

 

[Tachii]

I recommend playing on a lower difficulty. Civ5 Gods and Kings is really not beginner-friendly. With the latest patch they made the AI way too aggressive, and I feel a lot of things in the civpedia aren't even covered good. Without a sufficient tutorial beginner game, to really get into Civ5 might be difficult even tho Civ5 streamlined a bunch of stuff.

Just some beginner tips: In the first 60 turns or so you should aim to build 4 archers and don't spread them everywhere if there's another civ near you. They are usually good enough to defend, especially if you beeline for Construction and upgrading them into composite bowmen. I have take cities by surprise by upgrading my archers against cities below 20 defense.

 

[Eldgrim]

Thanks

 

[Crafty Bison]

Ya, watch some lp's.
As very basic stuff, you need science buildings and population, as both give science. There are loads of ways to get both along the gamepath, so give it a go and see what works best for you. Welcome to CiV!

 

[TrentL]

I wouldn't worry about the first couple of Science era's if your opponents beat you, they sometimes rush to get Iron Working or Navigation etc depending on the map.

Make sure to build your science buildings, (Library, University etc)

Also there are some science focused Civs that you could use as well, though I've been able to out race and win science victories on higher difficulties with ease, big tall cities seem to be the success for me.