Civ3 AI is VERY GOOD

[FrosTi]

I tried some games by now at regent difficulty (prince) with restless barbarians... And in each of them the computer just kicked my ass The AI is very different from Civ2... Now in the beginning of the game, it expands VERY VERY fast and builds the wonders VERY VERY fast too... They always seem to be more advanced technologically than I am and always get a bigger army than mine I read a previous thread where a guy found a strategy "rush settlers", but it's very dangerous to just "rush settlers" and don't send backup (warrior) with him because settlers just can't defend themselves like they did in Civ2... So, I adapted this strategy and want you guys to tell me if it is good and what could be changed... BTW, sorry for my english if there is any mistakes i'm french

For the Capital City:
- Warrior (for defense)
- Warrior (to explore, if you don't have any scout at start)
- Warrior (backup for your next settler)
By now, you city should be at least at size 3, or will be soon.
- Settler (when he is completed, send him with a warrior as backup)
-Warrior (to explore, if you are on a medium or big continent)
- Warrior (backup for your next settler)
- Settler
- Granary (now it will be useful cuz you only have to make Warriors and Settlers to expand, since you have 2 warriors constantly exploring)
- Now just produce warrior/settler with this city until you cannot expand anymore...

By now, you shoud have 3 cities... The 1st city you build (not capital), you should focus on a wonder (pyramid and great library are good ones), here's how:
- Warrior (for defense, in addition with the other warrior --> martial law)
- Worker (connect road with capital, improve terrain)
- Temple (for culture and don't get problems while you make wonder)
- Wonder (Pyramids or Great Library, or any you want)
You should try to keep the population at size 7 or 8 with "zero growth" or you will get civil disorders

In other cities, you could try to make other wonders, or just improve them, or use them to build better military units... Or, use another to rush settlers... I'm stuck here, what's your opinion?

 

[dozenlong]

I agree that the AI seems very well developed. For crying out loud, I lost three games on Chieftain before I figured out some reasonably effective way to stay alive (EXPAND! PROTECT SETTLERS!).

I do like that later in the game one can use culture almost as if it is military--converting cities is a lot cheaper than starting a war.

 

[FrosTi]

Originally posted by FrosTi
- Wonder (Pyramids or Great Library, or any you want)
You should try to keep the population at size 7 or 8 with "zero growth" or you will get civil disorders

I quote myself cuz 7 or 8 population is too much... It should be at 6 maximum (just before city), then get your workers on high production squares...