COTM 08 First Spoiler: Entering the Middle Ages

[solenoozerec]

Predator
This is a very unusual game indeed. Also it is very emotional. I made some risky decisions, such as building granary starting on a first turn. I felt fear many times during QSC.
Anyway we made it and even managed to get a Republic slingshot with 3-turn anarchy (I think I lost a turn in my log at the time of anarchy, so there is a one turn inconsistency in my real game and QSC timeline.)
According to a timeline we become a Republic at 1100BC (could be one turn later in a game).
At 1000BC we had

12 cities
24 pop
8 workers
4 archers
3 eukidu warriors
42 gold
1 granary
5 barracks
1 contact

The world looked like this:

At 510BC a Byzantine dromon has been seen near our shores. Byzantines knew Construction (the only tech that separated us from MA), but otherwise they were pretty ignorant which is strange as Babylon knew everything we knew except for currency which we researched at the same turn when got a contact with Byzantines.
Therefore after several trades all three civilizations got into MA, we and Byzantines got Engineering and Monotheism, while Babylon got Feudalism (they refused to trade it even for an exchange with two techs)

At 510 BC the world looked like this

I think this COTM is designed to prevent fast conquests and dominations and encourage builder stile of playing. This is very unusual.
Therefore this is probably a right decision:

But no matter how weird and unnatural this feels, i started for a spaceship so a spaceship it will be.

However, I am going to pursue a domination victory and only if I feel that I cannot get it before 2050AD (screw GOTM39 if it will take time), I will change my objectives.

It was very tempting to look on the first spoiler and I went here as soon as I got to MA. However, later I noticed that my qualification for this spoiler was a little bit doubtful as I am not sure that my knowledge of the continent hardly can be described as “Have a map of the majority of the starting continent”

Sorry about that, but on another hand, how can I know that I have a map of a majority of a continent if I do not know how big continent is and how can I be sure that I know everyone on this continent? I think that qualification requirements should be formulated a little bit less ambiguous.

 

[Redbad]

open

I settled one north on the dyes. I didn't have much of a plan on how to win this game, but being a builder at heart it's useally something like culture or space. After a little while i met the babs, that were really close by. And for quite a while i thought Hammy and me were alone on our island/continent. The darkred border to the southwest was mistaken to be babylonian.

It was not until i build a curragh when i discovered that there were Byzantines too. My curragh however was much stronger build than Klarius' ones: the barb galleys were no match. It was finally sunk by a barb galley on the far northwest tip of the continent, after it had sunk four barbgalleys itself (on the defense).

The tiring trading with Hammy and Theo learned that we had iron nor horse. The curragh reconnaisance only showed iron on the southwest tip: too far over land and i had no knowledge of galleys. But luckaly Hammy nor Theo had iron and horse present or connected. So I desided for war.

In 570BC we attacked Hammy with 10 cat en 25 archers, leaving our Enkidu's at home to avoid a despotic golden age. However a bowman slipped through and i had to defend a city with an Enkidu, resulting in a GA in 530BC. At first the war went well: we razed 3 bab-cities an build our own ones in the open spaces. But then things turned nasty. The babs had brought in Theo and our troops started facing bab longbowmen and byz medieval infantry. Moreover one bab city on the east coast kept launching spearmen and longbowman and refused to fall. So with the remainder of my troops at the gates of babylon (with the pyramids) the war ended in tears and i redrew my forces in 270BC.

I decided from now on to put everthing in science and head for a spacerace. I started building libs and markets. In 130BC the GA ended, totally wasted i fear. And in 10BC the republic was established. It will be a long time before the world will hear from the Sumerians again.

 

[Dynamic]

PREDATOR

In this game I will try to win by Space.
It will be hard because the map doesn’t allow me standard way to the world domination. I mean the lack of Horse and Iron near the starting place and a little luxury.

At start I check the Space screen and saw Byzantines with starting Alphabet. As I understand they are in our culture group and may be on my continent. I move my settler N on the Dye for additional happiness. Worker stays to chop forest. I founded Ur in 3950BC and start Enkidu Warrior. 60% water signs large lands. I thought there are other civs on my continent but not much near. I want fast exploring and contacts so I starting with 4 Warriors then Settler and Granary. My first 3 Warriors went N,W,E and 4-th stay in the city. My first Warrior (rushed by chop) met Babylon spearmen in 3550BC then went NW direction and was killed by barbs after exploring ? NW regions. It was strange I didn’t meet any civ on that good place. My western Warrior met Byzantines in 2550BC.

I started researching Wheel first for trading but discovered it in 2670BC 3 turns before I met Byzantines. Because I expect this meeting I stopped research and collected some moneys. At first meeting with Babylon I couldn’t buy anything but sold Pottery for 10g only. When I discovered The Wheel I bought Alphabet for Pottery and Wheel from Byzantines and Ceremonial Burial with Iron Working for Alphabet and Wheel from Babylon.
After that I started Writing at max and discovered it first in 1750BC.

My cities growth was depended on that strategy:
1) Expand enough fast;
2) Close the door to Babylon;
3) Fill the my territory before MA to prevent massive barbs attack.
4) Cities development must allow me fast science rate and Republic slingshot.

My fist worker chop many forests near Ur for rushing buildings. My second city founded in 2850BC near the flood plain’s wheat. Lagash was founded in 2310BC near the Cattle and after that I settled on the border with Babylon to stop its expansion.

I often use citizens as scientists for speed up my researching and got Code of Laws in 1425BC and Philosophy with Republic in 1275BC. I had 4 turns of Anarchy and switched to Republic in 1200BC.
My mistake was I built too many warriors and under Republic I have problems with payment for its (and I can’t upgrade its). But really I have a little troubles with barbs thanks to Enkidu Warriors.
I immediately gift Republic to both neighbors (and get all their techs and gold) and started Currency. I got it in 975BC and Babylon got Construction one turn before it. I trade for it but… we all forget for Horseback Riding. It spent another 4 turns but after that I was entering in MA in 875BC. Successfully Babylon got Literature at this moment and I trade for it.
I don’t know could I say about what tech I got for free?

At this point I’m close to filling my lands. I afraid to send the settlers NW because I expect for hordes of barbs are there.

I haven’t other contacts in AA. I built curragh but it was killed by barbs. Note the barbs galleys appeared very early in my game. I doubt anyone had Map Making at that moment.
I not fought with AI and both Gracios to me. Both of them once demanded from me some gold and I confirmed.
I found 2 GH but nothing usefull.

In 1000BC I had:
13 cities,
28 pop,
3 settlers
9 workers,
16 warriors,
1 granary,
1 temple.
All AA techs accept Monarchy, Literature, Horseback Riding, Construction and Currency (1 turn).
I have 2 contacts, 2 embassies.

My world in the beginning of MA:

 

[Dynamic]

Therefore after several trades all three civilizations got into MA, we and Byzantines got Engineering and Monotheism, while Babylon got Feudalism (they refused to trade it even for an exchange with two techs)

I have the same situation.

 

[WackenOpenAir]

Ah dynamic looks to be my first competitor for Space victory
Looks like you're doing well, happy to see you built so few workers , so even though me republic is way later, i think my workers might still provide me a better MA

PS: why are you building temples at your border when you have libraries that are cheaper culture?

 

[A'AbarachAmadan]

Open

QSC Update (though I didn't write down enough to submit it) 4000BC-1000BC. I entered MA in 900BC. Still not sure what victory condition I'll go for because of my weak position, but I want to secure this darn continent before I reach AD, but not sure if even that will be possible.

QSC Update
12 cities, 27 population, 2 settlers, 10 workers, 20 enkidu, 3 curragh, 2 granary

Modified map as I know a little more

Initial moves (and some sporadic thoughts)
4000BC- Wo-N (appears to be sugar 2 NE), Set-NE (argh, another normal G); think sugar makes another move worth it to make one more move
3950BC- Wo-NE (yea!, Sugar & BG), Set-N (hate to have moved twice w/ no major stuff found!)
3900BC- Set-Ur (change to Production emphasis, no managing of citizens), Wo-NE; now science becomes an issue, do I go Alph or TW and at max-27t/23t or min-50t or none-trade;
3850BC- Wo-Mine
3800BC-
3750BC-
3700BC-
3650BC- EW1-N
3600BC- EW1-N
3550BC- Wo-SE, EW1-N (see wheat)
3500BC- EW1-NE, EW2-E, Wo-Mine
3450BC- EW1-N, EW2-E (see cow, probable 2nd city spot unless I see something south)
3400BC- EW1-N, EW2-S
3350BC- EW1-W, EW2-S
3300BC- EW1-W (see corner of red territory), EW2-S
3250BC- EW1-W, EW2-S
3200BC- EW1-W, EW2-S, Wo-Road
3150BC- EW1-N, EW2-W, Set-E
3100BC- EW1-N, EW2-W, Set-E
3050BC- EW1-NW, EW2-NW, Set-NE, Wo-NW
3000BC- EW1-N, EW2-NW, Set-Sumer, Wo-Road (at mid-turn; find out only met civ is 2d most advanced – argh!)
2950BC- EW1-NW, EW2-W
2900BC- EW1-W(by force),NW, EW2-W
2850BC- EW1-N, EW2-N, Wo-SW,SW
2800BC- EW1-N, EW2-W, Wo-Chop
2750BC- EW1-NW, EW2-N, EW3-Fortify
2710BC- EW1-N, EW2-N; tried to trade Babylon for Alphabet, but to expensive, I’m giving up on Philosophy as an option, will now go military as I trade for Warrior Code instead – poo!, not what I want to do at all – I don’t even see horses as I start Horseback riding at max
2670BC- EW1-NW, EW2-N
2630BC- EW1-NW, EW2-NW, Wo-Road
2590BC- EW1-N, EW2-EE(by force),N (see flood plain wheat), EW3-E, Wo2-S
2550BC- EW1-N, EW2-N, EW3-E, Wo2-Irrigate
2510BC- EW1-N, EW2-W, EW3-N, EW4-NE,E, Wo1-N
2470BC- EW1-N, EW2-W, EW3-E, EW4-E, Wo1-Road
2430BC- EW1-N, EW2-NW, EW3-NE, EW4-Fortify
2390BC- EW1-NW, EW2-W, EW3-N, Wo1-N, Wo2-NE
2350BC- EW1-N, EW2-N, EW3-N, Wo1-Irrigate, Wo2-Irrigate
2310BC- EW1-NE, EW2-N, EW3-W, Set-NW,W
2270BC- EW1-attacked by barbs-1damage, fortify, EW2-W, EW3-NW, Set-N
2230BC- EW1-N, EW2-NW, EW3-W, EW5-Fortify, Set-NW
2190BC- EW1-N, EW2-W, EW3-W, EW4-SEWo1-S,Mine, Wo2-Road, Set1-Lagash, Set2-SW
2150BC- EW1-N, EW2-W, EW3-N, EW4-SE, Set-S
Lost 2 curraghs prior to 1000BC exploring

MET CIV
3150BC Babylon (nothing to trade isn’t good)
2150BC Byzantines (nothing to trade again, they were ranked 4th in 3000BC, why couldn’t I meet a weak one like me!)
1100BC Civ X (they put a city in ‘my’ territory)

Research
Instead of doing the Philosophy slingshot I normally try, I wanted to be able to build horses quickly so I went that route, which turned out to be a waste of time as I FINALLY know where the horses are, but won't get to them for a while. By the time I get writing in 1550BC (trade) another civ already has Philosophy and Map Making, so I go for Math, then Currency.

At 1000BC I have all AA techs except Const, Poly, Lit, Rep, Mon. I'm 4 turns from Poly at which time lots of trading to get us ALL into the MA.

Wars- none, but the Bab's and Byz's were at war most of the time. I had to give the Bab's tribute often.

Goody Huts- found 2, but got angry barb and maps - poo!

Basically at this point I think Ainwood took an pill. This start position definately messed me up. I hate defensive military and previously rarely built archers as they don't upgrade as well, so I went down the military route to get horses, but obviously couldn't . I have settlers on their way to the iron and horses, but it will be a very late military start as I have nothing to upgrade. Now I've switched to archers instead of enkidu so I will have some military to get going against the Bab's once I get some iron connected. My hope now is that I will be able to really move fast when I get cavalry before anyone gets into the Industrial Age, but I don't see that as likely.

 

[solenoozerec]

I think it was a great idea to remove horses and iron. Most of us used to play the same way over and over, so that games are played almost instinctively.
But now we must think

 

[A'AbarachAmadan]

I think it was a great idea to remove horses and iron. Most of us used to play the same way over and over, so that games are played almost instinctively.
But now we must think

Absolutely concur. This is the most fun I've had even though I hate my 'bad' position.

 

[Zarth]

I didnt make any notes, but I'll try to make this recap as good as I can. After moving the worker north, I settled Ur on the starting position. I first constructed a granary, then a Enkidu warrior and a settler after that. My second city was founded 5 squares SW of Ur. I kept Ur building enkidu, settler, enkidu, settler, etc. In most of my other cities I did ekidu, worker, enkidu, worker, etc.
I had my science rate set as high as possible, trying to prevent riots. I tried to go for alphabet => writing => philosophy, but was beaten to philo by the AI. After that I set the science slider back to 0% and I traded around techs to AI. I remember buying literature from one of the civs on the other continent for quite a lot of gpt. Then I traded literature to a couple of other civs who didn't have it yet. A little later on I did the same thing with currency after which I entered the MA.

I got Feudalism as my free tech, which I was able to trade for engineering, republic and monarchy and about 1500 gold. This costed me a few gpt deals though. I revolted and got a 7-turn anarchy period. After that I chose republic. The gold I used to hurry temples and libraries in cities near the Babylonian border. dont want those cities flipping.

Now it's 110 BC and I'm still researching invention. Most civs, including the Babs and the Bizantines, are 2 (or more) techs ahead of me. One civ has the same techs and another civ is 3 techs behind. It is still 2 turns before my gpt deals (34 gpt in total) end.

I am no condition to go for wars any time soon, so I'll try peacefully to keep up in the tech race.

Lastly I want to thank the GOTM staff for a really great game. This is really something different than the early horsemen/swordsmen wars I usually wage.

 

[Darkness]

Predator, Fixed Barbarians

First off: Great game Ainwood! Finally a map on which we don't have strategic resources! Though the combination with Demigod level may be a bit tough...

I settled in place and built one Enkidu for scouting before building a granary (chopped a dyes forest for it). Met Babylon early on and the Byzantines some time after. The scouting Enkidu went N and eventually was killed by barbs. Early on I traded to obtain Alphabet from the Byzantines, and the I went max to writing, but they got there before me. So I was afraid to try CoL before Philo, and I did Philo first, and the got CoL free and after that I started Republic. This was a mistake though... Shortly after the discovery of writing the Babs and Byz's went to war and they haven't stopped yet....
I've claimed all the land available to me and now I have a solid border with Babylon to my north.
I sent out some galley who met all other civs, giving me a pair of excellent trading partners. I got Republic around 850 BC, and got a 5-turn revolt. After that I did Literature (for the cheap libraries) and then some trading left me with only currency lacking for advancement to the middle ages. I researched it in 550 BC (I think) and I got feudalism a my free tech. Traded currency around to the scientific civ, and all first tier techs were available but no-one wanted to trade.
At this point I had libraries and barracks in my core so I started to built military for my invasion of war-racked babylon. I decided on a Enkidu-Longbowman-Trebuchet combo (which means a slow war. and I dislike that a lot, especially as a republic), so my tech path will be Engineering-Invention and then we'll see how far this strange (for me anyway) army can take me...

Another problem may be that one of the civs on the other continent is seriously becoming a runaway leader so I'm considering allying the other continent against him, which may cause some war weariness problems for me. We'll see how it goes...

 

[Dynamic]

Ah dynamic looks to be my first competitor for Space victory
Looks like you're doing well, happy to see you built so few workers , so even though me republic is way later, i think my workers might still provide me a better MA

PS: why are you building temples at your border when you have libraries that are cheaper culture?

OK. It will be very interesting!
About Temple I simply forget to switch it before I made screenshot.

 

[juballs2001]

i am having a lot of trouble keeping up in the tech race, i could have built the GL but i failed, stupid on my part, i think im gonna go back and try again, i think that is a key to winning this game at least for us players who play on emperor such as myself

 

[AlanH]

i am having a lot of trouble keeping up in the tech race, i could have built the GL but i failed, stupid on my part, i think im gonna go back and try again, i think that is a key to winning this game at least for us players who play on emperor such as myself

Nooo! Keep going. Win or lose you'll be able to submit. After you've submittde, by all means go back and play it again if you want, but you'll learn a lot more from trying to extricate yourself from the current situation.

 

[Bezhukov]

>but you'll learn a lot more from trying to extricate yourself from the current situation.

Have you made all your contacts yet? Once my gang of three curraghs broke the barb naval blockade, tech prices came way down. Too far in fact - I ended up bankrupting the AI's and slowing down my race to space!



Had to settle for diplo (no tricks, I'd been gifting so much tech, they all loved me, except, well, Theo, but she got no votes)

 

[Abegweit]

Predator.

Initial moves

I started by moving the settler northeast and then north in the hopes of finding better lands. When I stumbled on the sugar and the BG, I decided that this was about as good as it was going to get and settled on the spot. Perhaps I should have checked the other side of the mountains and discover the settler-factory location but I didn’t… On the other hand, this spot turned out to be a good place for a core of strong cities at a distance of four (yeah, I know, this is not vanilla – it just turned out that way), all on rivers but one. And it was on the sea.

My initial build consisted of an immediate granary, completed in 2900BC with the help of a couple of forest chops. This was followed by a settler, a worker and a barracks. From there on, Ur alternated between archers and settlers, with the occasional worker or Enkidu warrior thrown in as seemed appropriate.

My second city, Sumer, was nestled between the cattle and the flood plains. It eventually turned into a 5-turn settler factory but there was a fair amount of work to do first. It built an Enkidu warrior, a worker and another Enkidu warrior before finally starting on its granary (the warriors were to provide some protection from the raging barbs while the capital built its barracks). Once finished, it turned out nothing but settlers until well into the Middle Ages.

The next cities followed the same pattern as Ur – a granary, followed by a barracks with a worker or two thrown in as appropriate. I had decided from the beginning that I would be going to early war, so I wanted strong cities to pump out military.

Early research

Since I was planning on war, I started by researching The Wheel. When I didn’t find any horses, I switched to Iron Working. Bright moves those! No sign of either resource. And only one luxury on top of that! The one piece of good news was that a Babylonian warrior wandered by in 2830BC, from whom I was able extract the secret of Warrior Code, which at least gave us archers while I was vainly looking for iron.

At this point, there was nothing left to do but to start up the middle tree. Alphabet, then Writing and Philosophy. In 1325BC, I met the Byzantines who already knew Philosophy. Grr! I finished out the tech myself anyway and then switched to Literature. This I learned in 925BC. It finally gave me some trading opportunities, netting Ceremonial Burial, Code of Laws, Masonry and Mysticism. I then started on Republic at the 50-turn rate, as I prepared for war. I later bought Math from Theo in order to get catapults.

QSC stats: 10 cities, pop 29, 30g
4 granaries, 4 barracks
2 settlers, 11 workers, 8 archers, 3 Enkidu warriors and a curragh
Firaxis score: 302 MapStat QSC score: 4875

The Babylonian war

I had pretty much decided on a long and bloody war. The prizes in the badlands in the far north were far, far away. My explorer curraghs had already discovered iron and I imagined I could smell horses too. The war would not end until I had access to the badlands and a Byzantine border. Given our UA, I fully expected to have a despotic Golden Age. As it turned out, I did indeed spend my entire GA in despotism, churning out nothing but archers and warriors, warriors and archers. In the later stages, I did start to build some libraries and marketplaces.

Through the entire war, the luxury slider sat at 40%, occasionally dipping to 30% or rising to 50%.

In 650BC, I declared war and moved in. Sixteen units of various kinds, half of them veteran and elite archers, moved on Nineveh, striking straight towards Babylon. A second smaller task force moved on Nippur to the west. A third force was gathering to take out Zariqum to the far south. In the first round of the war, I destroyed both Nineveh and Nippur.

This map is from 670BC. Notice the workers preparing a road northwest of Isin. By going northeast-west-northwest, it is possible to get from Isin to the outskirts of Nineveh in a single turn. Also notice the archers in the south gathering to attack Zariqum. The white spot is an city built by an overseas civ.

My plan was to build a city right on the border of Babylon, a base from which to attack into the heart of their empire. It turned out to be placed just northwest of the city formerly called Nineveh. In the meantime, Hammy started his counter-attack. He sent wave after wave of bowmen, mostly from Ellipi to attack Erech. Some came from Eridu to attack Isin and other towns. They would impale themselves on the swords of my Enkidu warriors, three or four of them dying for each warrior they took out – at twice the cost. What fun!

In 530BC I had some luck, as my third elite victory gave me an MGA, who I used to make a… an… archer army!? It was surprisingly powerful, given that Hammy and I were dukin’ it out with such weakling warriors. It actually was quite useful for protecting archers as they moved into enemy territory. Once it had a victory, Ur switched to building the Heroic Epic. My first wonder, completed in 250BC.

In 510BC, my third strike force finally got strong enough and I took out Zariqum. In 450, Ellipi fell.

Then 330BC was a banner year. Samarra fell… and Babylon!

In 290BC, Hammy brought a foreign civ into this war. This suited me just fine, as they had two cities on our continent, one in the extreme south and the other up near the badlands. Plus, the war happiness would certainly be good when we finally switch to a republic. That same year, a suicide curragh crossed over to the other continent and met another foreign civ. A third would come by later and I found a fourth still later. At the end of the Ancient Era, there was still one that I hadn’t met.

In 210 BC, Akkad fell bringing me at long last to one of my objectives: a border with the Byzantines. In 170, my GA ended and I immediately revolted, drawing a 5-turn anarchy. Uruk fell in 90BC and Mari in 50BC, at which time I offered peace to Hammy in exchange for the last ancient tech I did not know – construction. The people of the new Republic of Samaria rejoiced at the end of this long and bloody war. The one disappointment: in the last battle of the war, our army fell to a barb-trained spearman.

Here is my new minimap as we enter the new era. Actually, I know quite a bit more of the world than this but it's been edited out.

Poor Hammurabi has been reduced to a small strip in the upper left.

 

[MiniMe]

I want to get a granary going as soon as possible because I assume there are no food bonus close by. So I move settler north to settle there and the worker starts first chop. After a second chop the granary is ready in 3250BC. First settler ready in 2950BC.

Discover alphabet in 2630BC and trade with Babylon for 2 workers and gold giving alphabet, pottery and 32g. The only tech they would give was ceremonial burial but I thought 2 workers would give me a much needed boost (and inverse to the babs). If they have 2 workers for sale does it mean they are at war?

Byzantine find me in 1990BC. I am glad since they dont have pottery. I trade for ceremonial burial. They must be at war with babs.

Ok this sucks, babylon discovered writing one turn before me. When I try to trade with byzantine in 1890BC, its worth really nothing. Cant get any tech for it, not even iron working. So it means they will invent it themselves extremely soon. I trade it for 38g. As if this wasnt going bad enough already.

I discover philosophy in 1550BC. I trade instantly for masonry and iron working. I choose code of laws as free tech because there is nothing else available. I trade for mysticism, warrior code and the wheel. I did not risk republic slingshot.

I discover literacy in 1250BC. I try to trade with Byzantine who had math and mapmaping but they will give me nothing. What is this??? Are they always researching the same as me??

QSC stats:
10 cities
8 workers
12 enkidu warriors
4 libraries
2 granaries
1 temple
1 barracks
44 gold
Missing most techs. Researching republic (14 turns).
Building Great Library, hopefully get it in 20 turns.

I have not sold literacy for ages so between our 3 nice little civs I have half the culture. It does not help babylon and byzantine that they have been in war since I met them a few thousand years ago. This was crowned by this little event Ellipi flips to me in 775BC.

I build the Great Library in 570BC. Boy, I need it. I am not exactly in the tech race for the moment.

I start revolt in 510BC for a 5 turn anarchy. Then I switch to republic.

I learn currency and construction from the great library and enter MA in 390BC. I make a juicy deal with a far off civ and for engineering they give me 93gpt. This could give me a decent boost.

It is a most unusual game and my strategy just doesnt fit. But of course that is why god-of-the-game Ainwood made it like that. Not sure if I adapt well though, because I still cling to my initial (and forever lasting) goal of domination. I dont have a battle plan for the moment, but it might still come to me.

 

[Redbad]

It is a most unusual game and my strategy just doesnt fit. But of course that is why god-of-the-game Ainwood made it like that. Not sure if I adapt well though, because I still cling to my initial (and forever lasting) goal of domination. I dont have a battle plan for the moment, but it might still come to me.

You surely are doing extremely well according to my standards

 

[MiniMe]

Redbad, thanks for your kind words.
Now being a little further into the game since the post, I for sure need the encouragement

 

[Dynamic]

I have not sold literacy for ages so between our 3 nice little civs I have half the culture. It does not help babylon and byzantine that they have been in war since I met them a few thousand years ago. This was crowned by this little event Ellipi flips to me in 775BC.

I build the Great Library in 570BC. Boy, I need it. I am not exactly in the tech race for the moment.

I start revolt in 510BC for a 5 turn anarchy. Then I switch to republic.

I learn currency and construction from the great library and enter MA in 390BC. I make a juicy deal with a far off civ and for engineering they give me 93gpt. This could give me a decent boost.

It is a most unusual game and my strategy just doesnt fit. But of course that is why god-of-the-game Ainwood made it like that. Not sure if I adapt well though, because I still cling to my initial (and forever lasting) goal of domination. I dont have a battle plan for the moment, but it might still come to me.

Very good event: Ellipi flips. In my game Byzantines have a huge culture, Babylon have the same as me. I have several border cities and hope to press babylon's border. I didn't build GL because I go to Education and have a tech parity with my neighbors. Very bad thing is Pyramids built by Civ X Moderator Action: - no alien civ names please . I will not have a bonus even I conquer Babylon and Byzantines. My plan is no war before Cavalry. I expect Babylon will be my science partner in the MA (he researches very fast). Babylon and Byzantines not fight in my game.

 

[MiniMe]

Dynamic, one of my principal goals has been to keep the tech pace down. I would like to have a chance to chop off an opponent or two before my future cavs hit riflemen, but dont know if its possible.

I will do some warring before cavs in order to gain access to some sweet required resources.

And I have started off-continent war (without fighting) against the strongest opponent who is growing too strong too fast. Most of his neighbours joined me. But too early to say if this will be successful.