Critical point in DG game

[Delphi456]

I need saltpeter to upgrade to cannons and for cav (when I get MT). Byz has the only visible source, but they are a bit stronger than me. My biggest fear is defending the long border b/t us - too many places for them to attack from. I'll be screwed when they get MT and Nationalism. I just won't have enough firepower to bring them down.

Spain would be a quick kill because they don't have iron, but I can't count on finding any saltpeter there. I'm afraid I'll just waste time on Spain when I should be battling Byz. I've also got nice trades with Spain that won't expire soon. Thought about an MA with them against Byz, but they are so weak I think it would do more harm than good.

It would be a long gamble to bet on being able to trade for saltpeter overseas.

Any thoughts???

 

[vmxa]

I did not look at the save, but it is very hard to get salt while cavs are still king. After infantry and tanks, then they are more likely to deal it. Do you have someting like a good tech to offer or lux. that may work.

 

[Delphi456]

I did not look at the save, but it is very hard to get salt while cavs are still king. After infantry and tanks, then they are more likely to deal it. Do you have someting like a good tech to offer or lux. that may work.

Two reasons that won't work (1) Byz have not hooked up saltpeter (according to CAII) and (2) my purpose in getting saltpeter is to attack the Byz.

I took another look at CAII and see the Hittites (across the ocean) have 1 saltpeter to trade. I'm 3 turns from Gravity, so I'll begin on Magnetism next (for ocean trades). Should take 5 turns to get that tech. Luckily, I've got 1 tech they need, plus gems.

Looks like I'll start pounding the Spanish in hopes of getting a MGL.

edit: crap, can't attack Spain because of trades. Guess I'll just keep building trebs.

 

[TheOverseer714]

Grab the Saltpeter, survive the retaliation, make peace ASAP. Once you get it hooked up, then you can make cavalry. Think of it as playing keep-away.

 

[chrisman1]

If the Byz haven't hooked up the saltpeter yet, I'd think you'd be able to war with them successfully. How deep into their territory is it?

 

[DWetzel]

Grab the Saltpeter, survive the retaliation, make peace ASAP. Once you get it hooked up, then you can make cavalry. Think of it as playing keep-away.

I'm agree with this.

 

[Delphi456]

The logistics don't support me warring with Byz. I've got 24 cities being protected by about 12 knights, 12 pikes, and 14 trebs. The Byz saltpeter is two towns deep into enemy territory.

As luck would have it the IBT after posting the initial message determined my new course. Byz moved 2 horse and 2 knights into my territory. I asked them to leave, they said 'ok'. Next IBT the came even further. I asked again, they declared. I'm losing 1 to every one of their 3 because I don't have enough defense to cover my wounded knights (which get butchered IBT). Luckily I got Magnetism and finally got the Hittites saltpeter. I can upgrade to cannons and muskets, but I have to go back and research MT. I've got plenty of money for mass upgrades because I'm not spending any rushing units. I got Spain in an MA against Byz just to take some heat off me.