Do the Civilizations all have their own characteristics?
- Thread starter lmn
- Start date
Civilization leaders have three values:
attack: aggressive or rational
expand: expansionist or perfectionist
civilize: civilized or militaristic
They control the obvious attributes, and civilize controls which techs they are most likely to aim for.
attack: aggressive or rational
expand: expansionist or perfectionist
civilize: civilized or militaristic
They control the obvious attributes, and civilize controls which techs they are most likely to aim for.
Old n Slow
Emperor
Officially, no. Unofficially, the opponent mix may affect your playing style, complementing or challenging your particular strengths. For example, an warlike expansionist civ may motivate your development plan to include more war stuff earlier in the game; on the other hand, a more scientific civ may pressure your attempts at wonders. Some civs may be better trading partners allowing larger gains and faster development for you.
But over all, the variations are moderate to minor, and add interest, uncertainty, and spice to the game.
Ever try "loading the board" by choosing Romans, Babylonians, Germans, Aztecs, Americans, English, and Indians? Still a fun game, but the challenge is that they keep up with your tech development better, and race you to early wonders. Different kind of exciting... Until the SSC gets built...
Some civs get freebie starting techs, often as "compensation" for a lesser starting position or proximity to another civ. I've seen civs started practically on the poles in small maps. I've heard about starts with seven or eight free techs; most I've ever gotten myself is five. The Civilized attribute does seem to have some effect on which starting techs each gets. Since civs are "placed" by the randomizer in color order, being White or Green may get you less starting techs, while being Orange or Purple may get you more.
Starting techs do NOT count against your tech costs, so getting some things as freebies can be nice. Getting Bronze or Horse and Warrior Code gives you 20 and 30 shield units for rush buying rows. Getting Alph, CerBur or Write gives you a jump on Monarchy or Early Republic. I guess the one I like the least these days is Pottery, as that seems to increase the number of Salt caravans that I cannot find demand for.
Starting techs do NOT count against your tech costs, so getting some things as freebies can be nice. Getting Bronze or Horse and Warrior Code gives you 20 and 30 shield units for rush buying rows. Getting Alph, CerBur or Write gives you a jump on Monarchy or Early Republic. I guess the one I like the least these days is Pottery, as that seems to increase the number of Salt caravans that I cannot find demand for.
Ace
Emperor
Just remember that the more "starting" techs you get, the worse off your position will be, vis a vis the AI civs. If you get more than 3 to start, look out. And if you get 8 or more, you might as well start a new game. 
la fayette
King
Originally posted by Ace
And if you get 8 or more, you might as well start a new game.
If you get more than 8, don't forget to advertise it
because no civ player has ever seen 9... up to now
la fayette
King
Have a look at solo's threads '500AD and 1000AD landings' over at Apolyton. Several starts with 8 techs are provided (I can e-mail you one if you will).
