Perhaps I don't qualify as I have gone well past the general Middle Ages cutoff date without switching to anything other than Despotism (by choice)
After sending the scout to the west and the worker 1N, I settle in place and irrigate the cows. A granary is the first build with the help of two chops. Settlers are the priority with a few warriors to keep the hordes at bay.
Some early miscues have made this a long drawn out affair with probably space or Diplo as the target. I explored very little to the NW and was in the process of blocking the southern tribes when the Celts settle a city around 3 NW of my capital. I hurriedly explored that direction to make sure there wasn't a land bridge to the West and then started cranking out Archers for a "welcome wagon". At this time I also discovered IW and rushed a settler to the southern Iron and the Iron to the NW. The problem being getting it hooked up before Celtic cultural expansion might make the city to the NW culture flip to them flip.
Tech path is Writing and then CoL, hoping to get the Philo sling. I am first to Writing and keep checking to make sure as soon as someone gets it that I trade it. The Maya somehow get writing and then a very few turns later get Philo. I am left finishing CoL and trading it around.
All set to capture the offending city..., 2 spears and a warrior as defenders, attackers; 8 archers and a warrior, results; warrior defender killed, all attacking units except the wounded archer who killed the warrior are killed. It seems the rng is pissed at me. Brennus shows up with horsemen and archers and destroys 2 of my cities while not losing any units. His archers are apparently equipped with anti-spearmen arrows. I had just discovered Code of Laws and traded it to get missing techs, then have to trade CoL, Philo, and Poly to get peace.
I connect the southern iron and build a bunch of swords and horses. Once more into the breech I go... I get Ragnar to ally with me and commence the attack. I do capture two of his cities, but have to take peace as my forces diminish due to what seems to be a never ending stream of celtic forces. Ragnar manages to take two cities to the farther north and then takes peace before I do. Yet again.... I get to Feudalism and attack Entremont with a force of about 8 MI, 4 swords, and 3 pikes. I have "animate battles" off so ibt I don't notice that somehow Brennus has traded with Ragnar to get Iron and has built MI and Gallics and kills half my attacking force without apparent loss. I have to retreat once again and take peace. It isn't until I get knights that the celts are eliminated.
