I have been working at this one for few days, and I must say failed miserably at first try. I think Huntyadown is correct in that Darius seems to have two settings. In my first game he did not build a single wonder, spamming immortals and support troops, and came for me around t60, or at least that's when he declared, he enveloped both my cities while I furiously pumped archers and PWs. I beat him back but lost a city and decided to try again.
In second try he built Zeus and Artemis, but still managed over ten units instead over 20. I took his cap quickly, then Susa and left him alive. I am already getting a reputation, don't need the hit for killing him. Then came decision time: I had a nice CB army and no clear target.
Spain was an obvious choice, but we had a DOF and she was a ways away with my army quickly becoming obsolete, NC and education still not finished and no XB in sight. Alex was a military leader and hidden in jungles with hills so no sight lines. Sejong was too far and friendly, so that left Harald. Only one caveat, he had built himself a GW.
But I was already there, well about five turns away through the desert hills, and I love GW as an offensive wonder. I find it hugely helpful in keeping my newly conquered cities from falling back in enemy hands. So he was next, it took some ,manouvering and I thought I might even have to retreat when his counter came and first city went back to full health as I dealt with it, but some well placed bait and pillage did the job. Took his city and cap and got the peace. Sejong was holding grudges against Alex it seems and I told him I will help in ten turns.
Still no XB but got t 105 NC, and 108 edu, so not far away now. Stockpiled enough gold for 3 unis, but I wish my cities were bigger. 1st religion, 2nd enhance: tithe, desert, pagoda, asceticism (1st for me) and itinerant preachers. I delayed enhance as my faith was over 350 and still no prophet so I got a pagoda. Hate when that happens.
Thanks Grnadeldef for this morale boosting challenge, i missed all of those early juicy ones and got wiped in some others, this might be my first deity Domination win
I have never led the score table at Deity, NEVER, even in games i won.
In second try he built Zeus and Artemis, but still managed over ten units instead over 20. I took his cap quickly, then Susa and left him alive. I am already getting a reputation, don't need the hit for killing him. Then came decision time: I had a nice CB army and no clear target.
Spain was an obvious choice, but we had a DOF and she was a ways away with my army quickly becoming obsolete, NC and education still not finished and no XB in sight. Alex was a military leader and hidden in jungles with hills so no sight lines. Sejong was too far and friendly, so that left Harald. Only one caveat, he had built himself a GW.
But I was already there, well about five turns away through the desert hills, and I love GW as an offensive wonder. I find it hugely helpful in keeping my newly conquered cities from falling back in enemy hands. So he was next, it took some ,manouvering and I thought I might even have to retreat when his counter came and first city went back to full health as I dealt with it, but some well placed bait and pillage did the job. Took his city and cap and got the peace. Sejong was holding grudges against Alex it seems and I told him I will help in ten turns.
Spoiler :
Still no XB but got t 105 NC, and 108 edu, so not far away now. Stockpiled enough gold for 3 unis, but I wish my cities were bigger. 1st religion, 2nd enhance: tithe, desert, pagoda, asceticism (1st for me) and itinerant preachers. I delayed enhance as my faith was over 350 and still no prophet so I got a pagoda. Hate when that happens.
Thanks Grnadeldef for this morale boosting challenge, i missed all of those early juicy ones and got wiped in some others, this might be my first deity Domination win
I have never led the score table at Deity, NEVER, even in games i won.
I'm really glad people are enjoying themselves, and don't think anyone should slow down because of me, but at the same time being constantly behind takes me back to very very early childhood, and I'm not particularly fond of that period. 
I love watching LP's. They are indeed less stressful than playing. And get me motivated. 
)
I would like a couple of day more with this one, though. 
I hoped to finish it by now, but mid game wars are loooong and RL is hitting hard.
