Could Spain be ok with the right type of map?
- Thread starter Artifex1
- Start date
Spain are never a top tier civ. But they become much better on Earth / Terra / Continents. Aim to have a multi continental empire (this makes the conquistador more useful, and gives you more chance to discover natural wonders). Larger maps also help a lot because there is more natural wonders.
You won't get to settle every natural wonder without some violence, and the naval bias means you won't be able to just go whatever direction you'd like on your home continent, so mimic the historical Spain! Get triremes and scouts ASAP, and beeline astronomy and send off conquistadors all over the new world!
Of course, in my current game as Spain, I started within 8 tiles of the Cerro de Potosa and close to a line of cost that was connected via islands to the other continent, so I'm pretty set already
Of course, in my current game as Spain, I started within 8 tiles of the Cerro de Potosa and close to a line of cost that was connected via islands to the other continent, so I'm pretty set already
Misterboy
Modern Major General
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2010
- Messages
- 244
I remember a poster who said they "always play Spain". A quick search hasn't located the thread though. No idea what difficulty/settings that person plays at. Maybe he/she is Spanish. In any case, Spain seems to have some fans, despite the general consensus being that they are a below average Civ.
Personally, they are one of the only Civs I haven't played yet!
Personally, they are one of the only Civs I haven't played yet!
Spain isn't the best, unless you get lucky. But they are always at least mid-tier and can be really, really good.
First, as Spain, accept that your game will be unlike any other Civ. Spain (and arguably Polynesia) is the only "Explorer" civ. My initial Spain opener is 2 scouts, monument, and then typically a Trireme or 2 as well early on. You need to get out there and scour the world. The order of search is your nearby lands, then get a foot party out there while searching for the Great Barrier Reef like a madman with your trireme. 1000
in the Classical or Medieval area is SO powerful.
Even if you draw an empty area for Natural Wonders, you can be assured of always getting an extra 600 and 6 free 
in the worst case scenario. Nothing to sneeze at - assuming you explore the whole map.
Spain fits a Patronage-heavy game as well. You stand a great chance of having a free 300-1200 within the first 50-70 turns. This lets you buy up prime allies and get big bonuses early. You should also meet more CSes because you are scouring the map, so you can cherry pick.
As for the UUs, they are pretty decent. Conquistador is awesome but very situational, and the Tercio makes a really solid counter to Elephants, Cossacks, Keshiks, etc. that run wild in that era. And they keep their +100% vs mounted.
Spain is fun in any game, and they are a beast on a favorable map. FYI, I typically play default settings, pangaea or continents, and Emperor level.
First, as Spain, accept that your game will be unlike any other Civ. Spain (and arguably Polynesia) is the only "Explorer" civ. My initial Spain opener is 2 scouts, monument, and then typically a Trireme or 2 as well early on. You need to get out there and scour the world. The order of search is your nearby lands, then get a foot party out there while searching for the Great Barrier Reef like a madman with your trireme. 1000
in the Classical or Medieval area is SO powerful.Even if you draw an empty area for Natural Wonders, you can be assured of always getting an extra 600
and 6 free in the worst case scenario. Nothing to sneeze at - assuming you explore the whole map.Spain fits a Patronage-heavy game as well. You stand a great chance of having a free 300-1200
within the first 50-70 turns. This lets you buy up prime allies and get big bonuses early. You should also meet more CSes because you are scouring the map, so you can cherry pick.As for the UUs, they are pretty decent. Conquistador is awesome but very situational, and the Tercio makes a really solid counter to Elephants, Cossacks, Keshiks, etc. that run wild in that era. And they keep their +100% vs mounted.
Spain is fun in any game, and they are a beast on a favorable map. FYI, I typically play default settings, pangaea or continents, and Emperor level.
noncognosco
Warlord
Like a previous poster said, try Spain on a Terra map. Once you have astronomy and chivalry you can send those Conquistadors out to do what they are for: clear all the barbs off the New World, explore to find the wonders, and found some colonies. They are stronger than anything the barbs will have and they have defensive embarkation so you don't have to worry about them being killed at sea by barb ships. Once you are done fighting and racking up the barb gold (this is especially fun with Honor) you have a whole continent full of settlers ready to go.
starrywisdom
Warlord
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2010
- Messages
- 205
How can you be alone on a whole continent on a huge map...you should have 3 CS's and 1-2 civs with you...
noncognosco
Warlord
It is a Terra map so no civs start out in the New World. There was one CS but I wasn't counting that.
seasnake
Conquistador
Spain is excellent, never had a bad game with them. Find a natural wonder and take it, colonize and explore quickly (conquistadors defend while embarked, so you can build a lot of them and send them out unescorted). Tercio carves up anything in its era.
Had a Spain game where I started close enough to Barringer Crater and El Dorado. It was like having a free Academy, Customs house, and two free Landmarks in the early game.
Had a Spain game where I started close enough to Barringer Crater and El Dorado. It was like having a free Academy, Customs house, and two free Landmarks in the early game.
apocalypse105
Deity
- Joined
- May 17, 2011
- Messages
- 2,705
I actually use spain natural wonders bonusses more often in a pangea map because i can find those natural wonders verry fast as result i can get a lot of gold fast to get a huge advantage...
And archipelo the conquistidor is good unit..
Continent is between the 2
And with the nerve of the longswordsman those tercio's are extremely strong
And archipelo the conquistidor is good unit..
Continent is between the 2
And with the nerve of the longswordsman those tercio's are extremely strong
Lose
King
hes talking about earth from earlier
Start out with a focus on scouting, also scout the sea early. If you find a national wonder then rush a settler to it.
Even if you didn't find a national wonder to settle early, find a CS that has it, and go take it with your Conquistidors, no penalty vs cities.
I always have fun with Spain, the games are very unpredictable.
Even if you didn't find a national wonder to settle early, find a CS that has it, and go take it with your Conquistidors, no penalty vs cities.
I always have fun with Spain, the games are very unpredictable.
starrywisdom
Warlord
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2010
- Messages
- 205
No, one civ starts in North America.
binhthuy71
Emperor
Playing Spain does involve a bit of luck. In one game I had Old Faithful within ten tiles of my starting position and my Scout discovered the Great Barrier Reef just offshore. In another, I had to settle a city as close as I could to the one reachable natural wonder and then use GA's to culture bomb it within my border. In the latter case I was Denounced and DoW'd on a regular basis.
KaiserKevin
Warlord
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2009
- Messages
- 152
My 2nd highest score was with Izzy on the Great Plains. Spain imo is not a bad civ at all, requires some luck but also the players' knowledge of where the AI has scouted, where its going, etc.
