So I just started playing again after a decent break and after playing a few games on Emperor I decided to bump it up to Deity again. I remember that I've won a few games at this difficulty but I don't really remember any of the details. Recently I've just been getting dominated over and over again. Sometimes it's because of mistakes that I've made and can correct, other times I feel it's because the civilization I chose to play as isn't actually all that helpful, and other times I just kind of feel like the map has dumped me into an unplayable (or at least very difficult) position.
I was curious what some more experienced players might think about this sort of thing. When you play Deity, do you win frequently, or do you chalk up a fair amount of losses in the process? Does map layout and civilization have a significant impact on victory, or could you throw everything on random and walk away victorious every time anyway? Are some civilizations significantly weaker than others? Do you have a simple rigid plan that you follow every time that leads to victory, or are you more flexible, changing your strategy to fit the map you're given and the status of your opposing civs? What are some of the ways you overcome the AI's ridiculous bonuses?
It's just getting a bit tiring, sometimes, when I start within 10 tiles of Greece and they assault me on turn 30 with a seemingly endless wave of warriors as I attempt to defend myself with a pair of archers. Or when I get my first settler around turns 30 or 40, but France has already completely cut me off from the rest of the world with their 6+ cities. Figured it'd be easier to improve if I asked other people what they were doing rather than continuously bashing my head against the game until I win.
Edit: Another thing I've noticed is that it seems almost impossible to get wonders. On lower difficulties I'd often gun straight for The Great Library (or Lighthouse, on occasion). In my recent games, though, I think I've successfully done it once, and I forgot how I did it that time (I probably just got lucky). I distinctly remember starting as Egypt, dropping a monument and scout before discovering writing (I went straight there. Pottery > Writing), finding faith from some combination of city states and ruins, and immediately beginning construction on The Great Library with a 50% bonus to its construction. I'm pretty sure I also bought a worker in the meantime to attempt to improve some tiles, but I was still beaten to the thing. Is it worth it to even attempt wonders if I can put so much effort and focus into getting one and still lose out?
I was curious what some more experienced players might think about this sort of thing. When you play Deity, do you win frequently, or do you chalk up a fair amount of losses in the process? Does map layout and civilization have a significant impact on victory, or could you throw everything on random and walk away victorious every time anyway? Are some civilizations significantly weaker than others? Do you have a simple rigid plan that you follow every time that leads to victory, or are you more flexible, changing your strategy to fit the map you're given and the status of your opposing civs? What are some of the ways you overcome the AI's ridiculous bonuses?
It's just getting a bit tiring, sometimes, when I start within 10 tiles of Greece and they assault me on turn 30 with a seemingly endless wave of warriors as I attempt to defend myself with a pair of archers. Or when I get my first settler around turns 30 or 40, but France has already completely cut me off from the rest of the world with their 6+ cities. Figured it'd be easier to improve if I asked other people what they were doing rather than continuously bashing my head against the game until I win.
Edit: Another thing I've noticed is that it seems almost impossible to get wonders. On lower difficulties I'd often gun straight for The Great Library (or Lighthouse, on occasion). In my recent games, though, I think I've successfully done it once, and I forgot how I did it that time (I probably just got lucky). I distinctly remember starting as Egypt, dropping a monument and scout before discovering writing (I went straight there. Pottery > Writing), finding faith from some combination of city states and ruins, and immediately beginning construction on The Great Library with a 50% bonus to its construction. I'm pretty sure I also bought a worker in the meantime to attempt to improve some tiles, but I was still beaten to the thing. Is it worth it to even attempt wonders if I can put so much effort and focus into getting one and still lose out?