Deity of Random - Try 1

[Snaaty]

I like obsolete´s idea with the spy points on Hanni (and the thing with the undefended city)...

@ CellKu:

How about the idea of bringing 2-3 spies to "our island" soon to bring down the defences of at least one of the cities there?

And drafting a rifle for the undefended city seems a good idea...

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EDIT:

If it isnt worth bringing spies, we need at least 3 cannons there. But then I would leave the spypoints on charly...

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@ Rusten:
I cant play up to the end of this week, or this weekend. But best for me would be if my turn would start the week after, because then I would have more time. So take your time, we are in no hurry...

 

[obsolete]

There is currently 27 Epts being made per turn. This should go up as you capture more courthouses Hah!

Another thing that seems wasteful, is why are we running theocracy here, yet have many cities making units that don't have hinduism spread yet? You have at least one monastery, so why not spread those missionaries ASAP? The sooner the better. Also, since I'd be planning on taking the AP in the near future, you are going to want cheap temples in all your cities anyhow for the extra bonuses. And the extra happiness of course, means more drafts.

Anyhow, it may not be so easy to vassal SB, since he has many cities spread out all over. That's alright I guess since there is a lot you may want to ping off near by, as many have food resources.

Maybe, when you've taken all that you WANT, you could bribe Perc into finishing him off, that way he'll almost be forced to vassal to you under-pressure?

 

[obsolete]

BTW, maybe I missed it, but I'm not sure why you guys are off researching communism. Was it for SP? I would think biology or physics would be a priority, though maybe your plan is to trade communism around for something?

Physics would be great, and the sooner the better for 2 things.

#1, it will show us where all the uranium is. We want to at least know if we can get at least one of these deposits because nukes will be our ACE-IN-THE-HOLE for when/if things go very wrong in the end game with Perc & Zara.

#2, they will give us incredible scouts (airships)... which not only are needed, but they can double up as perfect battering rams right now without any counter. How can you resist? They are far more better than cannons.

 

[CellKu]

@ obsolete: very nice tips! Thanks a lot for your involvement!
We pondered quite a bit about who we should attack first. The reason why we went for SB was that we thought that since he has so many cities (and thus units) it would be much harder to take him down later when he will reach tech parity again. Perhaps, we a re not able to vassalize him now, but we could weaken him considerably. Han, on the other sice, has only very few cities, so we hoped to finish him off quickly, once we stop the war with SB. Hopefully, that reasoning wasn't flawed...

You are absolutely right with regard to the missionaries. I think we should shift our focus and spread our religion more.

If I understood Rusten correctly, the reason for teching towards Communism was SP because of our wide spread empire. However, physics is definitely a tech we should research soon.

@ all: I will relocate our spy on capital island and see that we get 1-2 more. I will also try to spread our religion a bit more and draft a rifle in our undefended city asap. And spy points will be targeted towards Han.

 

[obsolete]

Osaka has a monastery. I'd just que the frigate it's working on for now, and make missionary, then whip a galleon to move that missionary. Then keep cranking out missionaries and using the galleon.

You will be capturing the temple of solomon from Han soon enough, so that is even more of an excuse to get hinduism spread asap.

 

[Snaaty]

@ CellKu:

two quick questions:

1. Does the plan still stand that you play until we have captured the 3 cities on bulls main conti we want to have (the other I wouldn´t raze, simply leaving it to bull)

2. How about our second (and smaller) attack group, targeting the two (or three) usefull islands near our main conti? Will you be able to send them on their way in your turnset or will this taks be handed over to Rusten?

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Take your time... ...and if needed, take another break for consulting here (neither Rusten nor I have time to play right now)

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@ obsolete:

I also favour spreading hindu (partly because of the +2 exp., partly because of the. The temple Sal of is an nice boni too, once we capture it...). But I would leave the decision to CellKu, when and how many missionaries he is building, because right now military units (mainly cannons, rifles we can draft) are the most important, followed by gallons and frigates...

 

[obsolete]

1. Does the plan still stand that you play until we have captured the 3 cities on bulls main conti we want to have (the other I wouldn´t raze, simply leaving it to bull)

I don't know, leaving it to bull would result in some culture issues wouldn't it? And that nasty pop up "So and so city wants to join the mother land.. shall we let them?" every 2 turns.

In fact, when you take SB's capital it may shift to that city and you almost have no choice then but to capture it or razz it.

Anyhow.. eagar to see more screenies.

At least, now is a good time to still use Japan's traits. Even drafted units come with buku promotions. Shame that the Sams lose their 2 first strike bonus on the upgrades though.

 

[CellKu]

Snaaty, yes I intend to play until we have the three main cities. What we will do about the fourth city we can decide afterwards. I will launch the next attack on the capital (as obsolete suggested - I was distracted by SB's Galleon that came from the north, so I attacked that and then went for the closest city).
After the capital I will go north and attack the third city. Then we can decide how to proceed. As the city on the small island to the right of SB's capital island is quite nice, I would suggest we take it as well.

With regard to the smaller group: it depends on how fast I am on SB's capital island. Right now we will need approx. three to four turns until the northern Galleon reaches "our" island. Enough time to send the southern Galleon back and forth to Tokyo for additional units. However, if I send the northern Galleon back to get the spy, it will take considerably longer.

I hope I have some time tonight or tomorrow to continue and finish my turn.

 

[obsolete]

Grrrrr... I hate all this waiting to see what happens.

Anyhow, isn't the island city to the right of SB's cap the one where he only has horses, but no food? In that case I'm not so sure it's worth it. The island city to the LEFT actually has a food source.

Anyhow, IIRC SB takes a while before he is willing for peace-talks. I imagine you'll just take island after island until he is ready for peace, then you can take the peace offer whether he vassals or not. Then get him later again after you capture the huge bonuses from Han & Egypt.

 

[CellKu]

Another post with inbetween information. I apologize that I am doing it bit by bit right now. Unexpectedly I became very busy with real life and every turn takes quite some time with all these logistics. Whenever Rusten is back, he can take over. Until then I try to reach my aim of having taken three SB cities.

About the next three turns up to 1400 AD:
Since the Riflemen that attacked Snake were badly wounded (though I lost only one cannon), I rested them, so that all units could fully heal. SB has quite a number of knights running around, so I might have to wait for the next attack until the reenforcements will have arrived (should be next turn) to defend Snake. In the meantime the frigates take down the defenses of SB's capital.

During the last turns Zara has introduced a new player by handing over his overseas colonies (in the far south) to Napoleon. Napoleon is now his vassal and has also DOWed Han.

This turn, Napoleon offers us this trade:

I am not sure about it, because Han has just completed the Statue of Lib. in carthage. That is definitely a powerhouse! Quite a number of Civs are interested in MS (Charles has also asked for it, but offered a worse price). However, I am against trading it.

I sent the "second" Galleon that was meant for our western army back to capital island to pick up the spy and a missionary for Tokyo (we must spread our religion there! With all this drafting that will pay out multiple times!). Hinduism has also spread by itself in Satsuma.

I have gathered a little army close to "our" island - the Galleon transports three additional riflemen. Han has added another Musketman in his southern city. Since Galleons seem to be our bottleneck right now, I have focused on building them. We should have about four more in due course.

 

[obsolete]

SoL is great. I was wondering where that was going to appear on the map.

You got one worry here... Han is very afraid of Zara, and he may end up vassaling soon. It looks like he would make peace already, but Zara isn't interested with anything Han has to offer.

But you DO have something to offer. Zara would accept peace for your MT. Up to you what you want to do.

Wait a bit and risk things, hoping Han doesn't vassal, or get one of his major cities swept from under him? Or make the peace between them now?

I suppose, if you make peace between them now, Han could do a peace-vassal to someone anyway. And there is a bug in BtS that allows AI to re-declare war again after making peace. Or was that making peace the next turn after being bribed to declare? So many bugs I can't even keep track of them myself...

 

[Snaaty]

Will have a look at the save later today and give some input

@ CellKu:

Take your time... ...these turns might very well decide the game, so no need to rush (with the rest of the team having not much time also right now).

Feel free to stick to the goal, the first 3 cities from bull are yours... ...no matter how many small turnsets you play

EDIT:

Had a look at the save...

I wouldn´t trade MilSc. We can trade it together with Comm. against better things. When the AI´s start to research it themselves, we might rethink...

Dont fear bull... ...the AI usually throws everything he has at your right away when you captue a city or it stores the units in the capital... ...there are no units left in the capital, so go... ...use the 3 gallons... ...remember to only load the units with full movement (green) into the gallons IN the city, then you can land them the same turn, enabling you to capture bulls capital next turn (7 rifles and 2 cannons should do it...). You also can upgrade one of the two samurai to strengthen the defences in snake if you feel it neccessary... ...but I dont think so...)

Send the remaining cannons towards the 3rd city once the reinforcements on the gallon comming in arrive, together with the reinforcements, then ship the troops from bulls capital up there ASAP (as long as they have 10+ HP) to take this city also within the next 3-4 turns

Time is essential, try to be quick and dont loose time (rather loose a rifle/cannon here and there)... ...remember we want a bit of Hanni

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Try to prepare the assault on bulls islands near our home in parallel, we dont need more units in the region of bulls capital, the interesting islands there we can take with the remaining troops down there.

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Most AI have som spare money... ...when have we been going around last time begging? (try for half their money -10gold when pleased... ...this works most of the times)

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I can play this weekend, so I can change back with Rusten and keep our advance going

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EDIT2:

@ CellKu:

Maybe I got you wrong... ...if you dont have time to play right now and if you want to, I can also take the save right now and finish the attack on bulls main island myself... ...dont think it would take too long, maybe 3-4 turns.

Then I could make a break and post a summary before starting "my" turnset...

 

[Rusten]

I can play this weekend, so I can change back with Rusten and keep our advance going

That sounds good. I'm ready to play this again late monday/tuesday and onwards. Didn't get to look at the save yet, will do later.

 

[Snaaty]

Well, I had some spare time tonight, and to get things going I finished the turnset of CellKu (hope you dont mind, CellKu):

Here we go:

First, I did some more res. trades to get our happycap up again. Then I whipped 4 more gallons, so we have now 10 alltogether. Then I even went on selling some healthres for happy. I also pushed hard for Bull and, as discussed am planning to open up the second front on Hanni soon. Since we have now insight in Hannis capital and there are only about 5 units in it, I started a fleet heading there (drained the units from "our" islands, but we will have new troops there in time)

I went around begging for money, and got 90 gold from Zara and Charly... ...thanks folks

Bullfront 1:

No more bull here

View attachment 179977

The army is healing right now and and the plan is to take 4 islandcities from bull more, indicated by the arrows (one island isn´t visible in this screen). We have lost 2 cannons and 1 frigate here

One of the cities on bulls main island will build the forbidden palace... ...no idea which (Houndville has a courthouse, maybe there???)

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Bullfront 2:

bull going down quickly

View attachment 179978

Only question here is, if we should ignore or raze the city near the whales

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And the situation with Hanni:

After I have seen this

View attachment 179979

I immediately decided to reroute some toops and now 4 gallons full with units are heading there (but only one spy, so we need some luck here)

View attachment 179980

One frigate and one shipotL are also heading there. The army for "our" island will be in place again in time also(in 4-5 turns), so we can execute a quick (and hopfully deadly) strike against Hanni soon

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Only played 3-5 turns (dont remember), but this game now is pretty cool and interesting to play... ...but as CellKu already stated, the turns are taking AGES...

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So if no objections come, my plan for this weekend will be:

Step 1:
Continue slaughtering Bull and move army in place to strike out for Hanni. At this point I will save and consult team again.

Step 2:
Vassalise Bull and declare on Hanni. My goal for my turnset would be to take his capital and one of the cities on "our" conti

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Feel free to discuss and critisize

 

[obsolete]

Only question here is, if we should ignore or raze the city near the whales

I don`t know. There just isnt any food source near by, and the whale resource goes obsolete so quick. So you`d be stuck with a really poor city most the time that can`t do really much. Why not let SB keep it, then you can demand whale as a Tribute later. Then he can be the one stuck with the maintenance.

Hope to watch the capture of Han`s cities soon. Just be careful he does not have a SoD you didn`t spot, then lose to the counter-attack.

Another bonus here, is it seems you will be able to destroy the whole carthage fleet in one blow, without even really attacking it.

 

[Rusten]

Had a quick peak at the save--nice work.

I fully agree with obsolete, let him keep the city with the whales, it's not going to do much for us.

 

[Snaaty]

OK, then I will continue as described above, including Rustens and Obsoletes input. In short:

- Spy the two other cities Hanni has near his capital to make sure there is no hidden army somwhere
- If there is no army, move second main army there, 4-5 gallons with units, 1-2 frigates & SotLs
- Try to whip a second spy somwhere to increase our chances for revolting Hannis capital a bit more
- Try to get some more cannons online for this attack
- Get smaller army up to attack "our" island.
- Take the remaining good norther island from bull, ignore the crappy one
- Take the four good islands near bulls main island
- Then try to vassalize bull
- Make a break and consult team again when a) our second army is ready for invading Hanni or b) we have taken Bulls islands and Bull is willing to capitulate (whatever happens first)

 

[CellKu]

Snaaty, thanks for taking over! I don't mind at all. I am rather relieved you kept our game going! And it went pretty well!

A few questions:
- Did SB launch a sneak attack at Snake with his knights when you went for his capital? That was what I worried most, because he had quite a number of knights running around on his capital island.
- What did you do with the missionary? I wanted to send him to Tokyo since we draft there every turn. As far as I can see Tokyo isn't Hindu yet.

Your plans for your turn sound good. I just hope you find a way around Han's huge fleet. So, good luck!

 

[Snaaty]

@ CellKu:

No, bull just hid in his cities and waited to be slaughtered

Missionary is on his way to Tokio, should arrive within the next couple of turns

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Will try to sneak arround Hanni´s fleet (somehow...)

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Am playing next couple of turns right now, will post the outcome soon

 

[Snaaty]

Another short set of turns that again took ages to play (but was pretty funny with lots of slaugthering)... ...and lasted only another 3-5 turns:

First, bad news:

Hannis capital somehow slipped into a revolt, but the idiot moved his frigates out the same turn so we cant reach his capital in time when I declare right now

View attachment 180049

New plan now is to sail around towards the other side of his capital and start the attack from there (44, next to our galley, this will cost us two turns, but there we cant be blocked by his ships and hopefully can run away with our small fleet from Hanni)

Another gallon is approaching Hannis land through Chalies, to cut his capital off from reinforcements once the assault starts and to cause confusion.

Two gallons are also approaching "our" island and I think we can start the attack there also within the next 3 turns (same time with attack on capital)

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With bull, everything is going according to plan, the north is clear now (except the whale city):

View attachment 180050

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Near bulls main island, there are still some fights to do, but there hasnt been any major resistance lately, so I decided to divide our army into two groops, to speed things up...

Group 1:

View attachment 180052

We are lying siege on the first of the western islands, should fall within the next 2 turns. Then we will sail on towards the remaining city down south because there is silk under the city there... ...I expect another 2-3 turns to take this last city there

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Group 2:

View attachment 180053

Here we have been a little faster, city one is already down and we our troops are healing. Another 3-4 turns, and bull should be finished here, so I expect the war to be over within the next 5 turns

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And here is the tech-overview:

View attachment 180051

We now need to decide, what to trade for... ...I would vote for:

Physics or steamp with Nappy for Commu & Milscience
Something for Zara for peace with Hanni (once we invade or he will vassalize ASAP)
Maybe we are lucky and can get Consti from bull when making peace/vassalizing him
Physics or steamp from someone (no idea from whom and how, depending what we take from Nappy)

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Well, I think I will make another break in 3 turns, when comm is in... ...would be nice to have some feedback up to then

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Oh, and Zara + Perikles are already "sailing" arround with destroyers and moving machinegunners arround