Darkness Monarch level, attempt #1

[Darkness]

Screenies:
In the came, press PRINTSCREEN on your key board. Then open a graphics program like paint or so, and paste... Then save as jpg or whatever you prefer.

 

[superslug]

Originally posted by Darkness
Actually, if you press F10 and look at the space race, you can learn who your opponents are in 4000BC without using mapstat...

The reason I was mentioning not using MapStat to check on opponents was that Aeson had said in a post (don't recall which thread) that doing so would be considered cheating. Wouldn't the F10 trick be illegal as well then?

 

[Darkness]

AFAIK it's not considered cheating in the GOTM so why would it be considered cheating in games for the HoF?

 

[superslug]

I'll see if I can find the post from Aeson.

 

[superslug]

It was on this page:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63953&perpage=10&display=&pagenumber=3

Having reread it, I'm not so sure now! He says that using information from MapStat on other civs is a no-no, and I just assumed that to mean not identifying them, but I guess that post could be interpreted as not looking up their territory/population. A ruling from him is probably in order.

As a matter of fact, I wonder if we should suggest a rules/FAQ sticky thread, since there's a number of 'rulings' and future plannings he's mentioned in the forums here that would be useful to have all in one place.

Anyway, since HOF has the highest post-per-moderator-view-average of anywhere on CFC, I probably should get back on topic. Darkness, any luck with new map generation?

 

[Darkness]

Originally posted by superslug
Darkness, any luck with new map generation?

No, not yet. Maybe sometime next week, I'm a little short on time right now.

I'll PM Aeson about the other thing, OK?

 

[superslug]

A PM sounds good! If it turns out it is legal to look at who the AI are, but not their stats, then knowing who the opponents are could be useful information. I hope I misunderstood his post...

 

[mad-bax]

I think you will find that using Mapstat to discover who your opponents are and what your domination limits are is legal. Using Maptstat to find out how many tiles your opponents have is illegal, as it allows you to determine who you will face in a UN vote, and whether or not wiping out a particuluar civ will be enough to get to the domination limit, as this would affect what diplomatic agreements you may choose to make etc.

 

[Aeson]

Using F10 to find out who the other civs are is acceptable. There is no need to use Mapstat to do the same thing.

 

[Darkness]

Thanks Aeson!

 

[Darkness]

OK, I've started a new game. Again as the Ottomans with all the usual settings. I've got a domination limit of 3808 tiles. It's now 450 BC in my game and it's looking quite good, although I think the techpace is quite slow (maybe too slow ). I'll post more info and a picture when I've reached 10 AD (and if I decide to follow though with this game)...

 

[superslug]

Slow tech paces are one of the reason's I abandoned the Ottomans in favor of the Chinese, since I can use the Rider and then still use Cavalry. Then again, that's in large part because I still haven't mastered the research angle fully yet. I'm far too reliant on popping huts and/or the Great Library.

I'll be very interested in seeing your performance, as may likely bump down my current game (where-ever it lands) down a spot.

 

[Darkness]

I don't think being the Ottomans has anything to do with the slow techpace, actually. I realize that if the techpace is slow it's better to have the rider than the sipahi 'cause the rider is available sooner. Fortunately there is enough empty space to settle in my game to keep me busy to halfway through the MA.
There are a couple of other reasons for the slow techpace though:
- The map is not a true pangaea, so 2 (expansionist!) civs are on a small island in the NE, which slows down the techpace on account of both less contacts to trade with and less GH's to pop for the expansionist civs.
- I got no (ZERO) techs from GH's I usually get at least 3 or 4 butnot this time. And I opened at least 25-30 techs, with me getting barbarians around 15-20 times...
- The AI doesn't contribute much, researchwise. The only tech I got from the AI (besides the starting techs) was map making. I had to research the rest myself...

But there are also good sides to this game. Like I have the Pyramids (around 900 BC, IRRC) and I got a 4-turn anarchy to republic (800 BC), and my FP is almost finished. There's also enough open land around me to do a serious settler flood, and I can get at least 3, maybe 4 luxuries without a fight..

 

[superslug]

You're right, the Ottomans have nothing to do with the tech pace. The freebies actually theoretically help. You mentioned all that I meant, that with the Rider I can go to war earlier. My early game is far far weaker than most everyone else competing here, so I find free AI slaves a great way to 'catch up'.

 

[Darkness]

OK, I abandoned this one too. Back to map generating I guess.
I think I may be becoming a bit to demanding when it comes to maps and techpace...

 

[superslug]

Originally posted by Darkness
OK, I abandoned this one too. Back to map generating I guess.
I think I may be becoming a bit to demanding when it comes to maps and techpace...

I'm sorry to hear this, I was looking forward to some competition on the level.

 

[Darkness]

Originally posted by superslug


I'm sorry to hear this, I was looking forward to some competition on the level.

Don't worry! You'll get all the competition you want...
As soon as I generate a decent map that is.

 

[Darkness]

It looks like you're going to get some competition after all....

After three or four nights of generating starts I came across this one. Now I've only played it to 3000 AD yet, 'cause by then it waws 1:30 in the morning, but I like what I see so far.
Domination limit: 3834.
Settings as usual, 1 luxury 6 tiles away from my capital (not visible on the map shown below)...

My start:

 

[superslug]

Oh that's good!

 

[Darkness]

At this time I have 17 cities and 2 settlers running around.
My military consists of 23 warriors and a pair of horseman, as well as 15 or so workers.
I have no city improvements yet, though I did build 2 wonders.
The colossus in Bursa in 1450 BC (Superscience city?)
The Pyramids in Edirne in 1275 BC
I'm researching the Republic , due in 6 turns
I've met 7 of the 8 AI's, and nobody knows the last one (Japan, IIRC).
1 luxury connected and I'm reaching for a second....
Score: 327 (I'm in the lead), with an increase of 6 per turn.
According to the democramics I'm in the lead in all the important categories.
My nearest neighbours are the Peace-loving Aztecs and Zulu's. Should be fun

A picture says more than a thousand words: