Do I Need BtS Or Warlords?

[manooly]

Hello All! I have just reloaded Vanilla Civ4 onto my laptop that is a couple of years old now (2GB of RAM, AMD 64 processor, only an NVIDIA with 64MB of video RAM). I seem to have the game working smoothly (even if I only can play on Standard size maps) with the latest Blue Marble 3.0 mod loaded. I'm having a great time with the current game I've got going with just vanilla Civ4. After I finish this game should I plan on purchasing Warlords or Beyond the Sword, or both? Is there currently a Civ4 Complete available to buy in the US? I haven't seen it at the stores yet. Anyways, I just want to see what others have to say about the expansion packs for Civ4. Do you need to buy Warlords before Beyond the Sword? Any info or motivation to buy the expansion pack(s) would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time!

- manooly

 

[Verge]

BtS has all the features of Warlords (including extra civilizations) except the lackluster Warlords scenarios. So I would recommend (as would most everyone else) that you just get BtS.

Hope that helps!

 

[Dubai Vol]

I went thru warlords to get to BtS and yes, you want BtS.

I am playing on a lesser machine than yours, and it does fine. Playing large map and epic speed without problems. Of course I have wonder movies turned off, and leader heads don't wok, but it doesn't affect actual gameplay.

 

[manooly]

Sounds like I am better off just getting BtS then. Will I be missing out on anything good by not getting Warlords? Should I wait for Civ4 Complete to come out to make sure i have everything?

So, there are no significant graphical improvements that I need to worry about then huh? I was worried since the minimum requirements moved up to 64MB of RAM on the expansion packs compared to vanilla Civ4 that was only 32MB RAM. I just don't wanna buy the x-pack and have it barely playable and very laggy on my laptop.

 

[Bleys]

The extra video requirement is mostly for the animated graphics, which get kind of old after a while anyway. System RAM is your main target, and you have that well covered. I play on a 1 gig RAM laptop with only 64 mb of video as well, and its fine. Slows down if I keep all the animations on, and such, but really, how many times can I watch my Axemen kill archers?

 

[ggganz]

Why would you get Complete when you already have Vanilla? If you REALLY want the sucky scenarios, just get both separately.

 

[Scaphism]

I don't know if this would make sense for you, but Amazon is selling Vanilla + Warlords (Civ 4 Gold Pack) for $20 today as their deal of the day.
Amazon Link

Again, Beyond the Sword has pretty much everything from Warlords unless you really like the scenarios, but $20 is an excellent deal. Maybe you have a friend who would enjoy Vanilla but hasn't picked it up yet.

 

[Bleys]

Why would you get Complete when you already have Vanilla? If you REALLY want the sucky scenarios, just get both separately.

I didnt have Vanilla. I was playing it through an emulation service called GameTap, which has a monthly charge. I have cancelled my GameTap now, though, although I still HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who enjoys playing lots of games.

If you do own Vanilla, though, I suggest just buying BTS.