Civ3 is not an easy game...

[stwils]

Thanks to all of you for all the good help.

I took a look at the succession game forum. Following one of these games looks like a good way for me to learn.

Is there a difference in "trainer" games and just plain succession games?

I looked at one that had a few screen shots. But there is no way you can see a replay of every turn (with comments) is there?

I need pictures.

stwils

 

[Padma]

The "Training Day" games were started to help train more Succession Gamers. The only real difference is that in a Training Day game, a "veteran" player is coaching/counseling/teaching between turns. And most of these are relatively replete with screenshots. No there's not a screenshot of every move, but if you look, the turns are normally described in great detail; much more so than in a regular SG.

Edit: The "veteran" players running Training Day Games, IIRC, are Sullla, LKendter, Zed-F, Sirian, and Arathorn. BTW, we just won in Zed-F's Training Day Game.

 

[Creepster]

I think that most players who are just starting out fail to realize just how many cities you need to expand to a good sized empire. I try to get at least 20 cities before 0 AD at a minimum. This alllows me to get a good base for research/trade/tax, and production. After you have expanded then the next key is city improvement. Libraries and marketplaces increase production drastically. In the lower game settings Chieftan or regent I would build library, marketplace first in all cities. The temples , and colloseums are just not needed. Granaries may be helpful to assist in expansion, but it really depends upon the game and how much room you have. When expanding you can place the cities somewhat close together. Optimal city placement doesn't really help you out until very late in the game when you can build Hospitals.

I have been playing civ for about 10 or 12 years now (not sure when it came out). In civ 3 the one major difference is the trading with other civs. You need to check with them often to see what they want from you and more impotantly what you can get from them. Playing several games to understand the trading feature would help you out a lot. Typically in the first part of the game the first civ you meet you can trade at least one tech. If you don't like the trade try to change it a bit and see if that is acceptable. The other civs will always pay for your map at the very least. Try to get communication with all of the civs as soon as possible. It is worth trading for it if you have too. The more you trade with civs the better your relationship. (always be carefule here the AI will turn on you given the chance).

Hope this helps.

 

[stwils]

Creepster,

I like to trade tech for tech with other civs. But so many times they offer a tech for one of my techs PLUS some of my gold.

How do you evaluate how you should proceed in that case?

stwils

 

[Creepster]

The techs are worth different values. For example early in the game the alphabet is worth a lot and they will not accept giving it to you for just pottery. You will have to sweeten the deal a bit. The best thing to do is experiment here. Look at the effort it requires of you to research the tech. If it takes you longer then it is a more expensive tech.

As the game moves on the techs get much more expensive. The trick is that by the time you reach the end on the middle ages you are even with them in research capabilities. By the time you get to industrius you should be able to be ahead of them in research rate. Now you can sell the techs to them for gold or whatever.

Two things to keep in mind.

1. the fewer civs that know the tech the more it is worth.
2. After you trade one tech to the other AI civs, they will trade it to all of the civs probably next turn. So trade the tech to all of them not just one, even if they can only give you a gold or map.

 

[goopygoop]

OK, the way to win is to establish a strategy. If you like killing things, then don't worry too much about research and improvements, and don't choose democracy or republic (personally, communism is the best for war IMHO) as a government.

If you prefer peace, put every cent you have into research, as you'll need to. Choose a scientific civ, as you'll most likely win by diplomatic, cultural, or histograph (if worst comes to worst).

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER: If in the middle of the game it appears you are losing: Please don't quit! Keep going! If you lose, learn from your mistakes. If you win, good job!

 

[Portuguese]

Originally posted by Zouave
"Civ 3 is not an easy game".

Let me put it this way. If I was playing computer chess and suddenly the computer gave a bishop the moves of a queen, or allowed pawns to also take going straight ahead, I'd have problems with that too. So the Civ 3 AI cheats.

But, you should be able to usually win at Regent. And have at least an even chance at Monarch. If not, read more threads including the archived ones. (I assume you haven't played Civ 2 as many strategic concepts are similar).

You REALLY dislike the changes since CIV2...

But tell me:

What are the advantages of CIV3 ???
(The disadvantages I already now...)