COTM 17 - Pre-game Discussion

[Dominus Romae]

Hey guys, this is only my first time to the COTM... I am used to play at Warlord and Regent, but I will try this one. Conquest-Class, of course .

 

[Own]

I've changed my mind, I think the worker should go to the mountain to see, then go the the BG. I'd build another worker in the capital.

Research for me is warrior code (for monarchy) and I can trade for BW.

 

[RFHolloway]

Twonkys analysis looks good, but I'm more of a builder. My preference is warrior Worker then granery. The first worker irrigates and roads the wines and then mines and roads the BGs. The second worker has time to chop 2 forrests to help with the Granery. The current set up can generate 1 warrior and 2 settlers every 12 turns, without going above 4 population, and 1 warrior and 1 settler in 6 once both BG's are mined, together with the discovery of another BG under the forrests, in the fog, or mining a grassland.

The thing that is driving me nuts is trying to balance the republic slingshot (which I think is achievable provided we don't have too many literate civs), with saving cash for a mass upgrade of warriors. I think it has to be an either or, but there is no point in having a lot of nice Gallic warriors and having to hold off for fear of a despotic GA.

 

[Markus5]

In my test game, I had good luck with a Literature slingshot, then building the GrLib while slowly researching Republic.

I've thought about a republic slingshot, then slowing researching literature while prebuilding the GrLib with a palace.

It is sure nice to have the mass upgrade to Gaelic Swords.

 

[Markus5]

I'll probably follow Twonkys analysis, too. I'll try to get a worker built as the first or second thing in each town. I'd sure like to send an escort with each settler, too. A warrior/settler pump has always been my preference. But, if the area is reasonably free of barbs, I can send settlers out by themselves. If extra warriors can be built by the towns, that makes me feel better.

 

[Redbad]

I've done some starts on my dystopian little map for testing a couple of my plans. And, providing Karasu has somewhat controlled himself in designing the "continents", it just may be enough to ship another to Colorado.

 

[denyd]

As per my usual, I'll probably start with a warrior or 2, while researching towards the Republic slingshot. My hope is to find a nearby COM to get Alphabet from or SCI for BW so I'll base my initial research on who's in the game with me. My fall back if both types are in abundance will be The Wheel.

I've come to realize that I play a too balanced game to get back into the top 25 again, but I just enjoy playing a peaceful game until at least the Industrial Age and the main purpose of playing (for me anyway) is to have fun.

 

[Jove]

@DenyD: How much risk are you willing to take on doing The Wheel first? eg. how many alpha civs will you consider 'safe'? Will you scrap this if Japan is in the game? I ask because I'm inclined to go for alpha straight off unless we meet an alpha civ in the first 5 turns or so, in which case I'll switch. Even if the alpha civs are on our landmass, we may not meet them until it's too late. With the faster growth, we should be able to research a little faster anyway, giving the Wheel gamble less edge. I'm not against the idea, I'm just risk-averse. And I agree, it's just for fun for me too, but this time there's a spanking smilie on the line, so I better focus!

@Redbad: Will you share any of your devious ideas, or have you gone top-secret? We're going 100k after all, early culture might give an edge. May I suggest Temple->Pyramids->settler as your initial build order?

 

[denyd]

If there are >= 2 with Alpha & at least 2 with BW then if no Japan I go for the Wheel. With Japan, I'll skip the wheel and go for Mystisicm. The way my luck has gone in the past couple of XOTMs if there are 3 with Alpha, they'll all be on another island. The real difficulty here is that the Celts two opening techs (CB & Pottery) are among the cheapest of those on the first level so that it'll take a 2 for 1 to get any of the top techs on level 1. The primary advantage of the Wheel is knowing where horses are and w/o Japan in the game it's usually a very tradeable tech. If there are no/few SCI tribes in the game it's a sure monopoly (if no Japan). If the bulk of the AI are REL, MIL, IND & EXP then I sure to go Alphabet first knowing the AI will go for BW first. That way I'll be on my way to the slingshot and still have a tradeable tech to get BW with.

 

[HeadBlend]

How about us 2 have a race for a particular victory condition?

Would love to but I may not have time to finish. I am about to miss the deadline for COTM16 and COTM17 will require more work.

Will give it a shot - I'm wanting to go for a domination VC. My goal is to improve on my last position

 

[CivFan91]

I've just officially signed up for my first COTM. Hmm, Emperor. I am gonna practice a few as the Celts.

EDIT - I hate the color, though. It looks like Mint Ice Cream. Ow well, got a few nasty shocks on Emperor. Like the strength of the Barbs...

 

[Redbad]

@Redbad: Will you share any of your devious ideas, or have you gone top-secret? We're going 100k after all, early culture might give an edge. May I suggest Temple->Pyramids->settler as your initial build order?

The plans are so secret that I don't even know their content, I only know their goal: to intimidate the competition. No, seriously, earlier I was thinking about building things like Pyramids and researching things like slingshots. But now I think I just and and at end build culture in what is still standing.

 

[Karasu]

...And, providing Karasu has somewhat controlled himself in designing the "continents"...

Well, I really tried to be nicer this time, but -you know- it is alwasy soooo hard to control oneself
Anyway, you aren't taking CotM15 as a benchmark, are you?

These "continents" are quite close to the standard layout.

 

[Jove]

@Pindicator: Looks like we've generated some interest in 100k. Any more ideas before the release?

@Redbad: Well, again, good luck. I'm looking forward to a fun game. I think we've proven to everyone that we're not too serious

@Klarius and Dynamic: Thinking about joining our little contest? Between you two and Redbad, I could get one more crack at most everyone who's beat me out on 100k already, all in one game!! More fun for me anyway. And with Karasu's last comment, sounds like we're not stuck on an island, which is the biggest thing that would make me bail to some other VC. How 'bout it?

 

[Sybot]

Well, this will be interesting for my first COTM (I did try COTM16 but couldn't be bothered after the AA)

My first attempt at Emperor...couldn't have asked for a better civ than the Celts!

 

[jeffelammar]

But now I think I just and and at end build culture in what is still standing.

In my experience this is the way to win a fast 100K victory.

A single temple doesn't really make more than 1000 or so culture during the entire game. At the end of a 100K run, you will be making 1000-2000 or more a turn.

In fact, in a 100K run building culture (Other than Pyramids, and if possible, you should just capture it anyway) just slows expansion. An early granary will do far more to improve your finish date than an early temple.

I'm hoping to play this one, but I can't make up my mind what VC to go for. I don't want 100K because I did that the last time I played the Celts (SGOTM6), so its either a or 20K. Come to think of it, no matter what VC I go for, it's going to be a game. After all, we're the Celts


Edit: I love the c3c Celts. Agricultural and my second favorite UU (After the Siphai).

 

[pindicator]

@Pindicator: Looks like we've generated some interest in 100k. Any more ideas before the release?

Nothing fantastic. I think setting up a settler factory (or two if possible) is going to be the biggest factor in this COTM. Namely because there really isn't an obvious 4-turn available. So if somebody manages to find a 4-turn by moving norteast (or northwest!? ala moving work to mountain to scope out the lands) they will probably give the leg up. After that early war-mongering is the next biggest thing.

I'm settling in place, I think. My last COTM was a nightmare. I had barbs kill off all my defenders in my 20k town and then ransack my temple right before completion. So my support town had to start making more warriors instead of settlers and workers because of the barbs and my 20k town was missing wonders left and right because of the delay. The point is I'm probably going to play a little safer in response and move my worker onto the wine before choosing to settle in spot or move.

 

[Dominus Romae]

I will be probably trying any victory. I use to play at Warlord and sometimes Regent.

 

[Redbad]

Anyway, you aren't taking CotM15 as a benchmark, are you?

And crush Kuningas' 100K-game ..... no, he's a nice chap, let him have his place in the sun a little longer

 

[Jove]

@Pindicator: Just keep an eye peeled for barb camps when you and/or the AI cross over into the MA. That's when the camps have their uprisings, assuming they exist at all at that point. Before then, roaming barbs shouldn't be too bad.

I'm going to right-click that start square before I settle though. It doesn't hurt to be sure that it's fresh water. If it's not, there's an excuse to move. If it is, probably no fooling around, I'll just settle.