do you like Rome? I don't.

[jtb1127]

You should play cIV then. UAs are million times better than the copy paste traits. They are better for imersion, and most importantly they are unique & give some historical flavour unlike traits.

I do play civ iv. I play both.

He said "Native Americans" though.

Although I tend to disagree anyway, Incas and Aztecs have some nice perks.

I think the Aztecs are fun to play as. It's really just the nature of the civilization that is fun.

 

[MasterMishi]

rome are top tier for early war

ballistas are good until cannons, use them more if you are rome, you wont be dissapointed

 

[Silverfuturist]

Rome needs a buff. Everything is average about this civ.

I once played with them (with abundant resources set on) and had only two irons.
I may not even build a single catapult because I usually start my games with the focus on expansion so ballistas are almost useless in my opinion.

What are your impressions on this?

PS: they are at the very bottom of my list along with the native american civs.

Native American Civs... I have crushed Deity several times with a Mohawk Warrior rush start... beeline to iron as you make warriors, then insta-upgrade to Mohawks. Here are some screenshots from a multi-player game:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=432283&page=2

The time setting was quick, first capital fell in under 30 turns...

As far as Rome needing a buff... compared to what Civs? You tell me what Civs are so much better than Rome that are not DLCs. Rome's UA 6 + Liberty = a 30% bonus for buildings in wide empires and puppets empires... good stuff. Rome's legions... sure you might have to use your free settler from Liberty to travel... 13 strength units when you tech to Iron right away... smash!

 

[Optional]

Of course this strategy is moot if you can't find a good source of Iron early.

For me Rome is a top 5 civ, even without Iron. I wouldn't go out of my way to settle on Iron. City spots need to be good, Iron can be obtained from city states.

My usual strategy involves selling my lux as soon as I can, even if it's the only one. Gather some money, then look around for interesting City States. I can't believe on an average map you will find no Iron for either you or any of the City States.
You don't need a heap of Swords either, two are enough to make taking a city so much easier, provided you team them up with some ranged units.

 

[KillingMeSoftly]

I can't believe on an average map you will find no Iron for either you or any of the City States.

You'd be surprised! Not saying there's no iron anywhere, but I've been in games where none of the discovered City States have Iron (and I don't, either). It takes a little while to discover everyone; I don't often play on Pangaea.

I agree with you Rome is still solid without any Iron due to Glory of Rome, but without Iron you can't do the early Legion/Ballista rushes. That's what I'm referring to.

 

[vonbach]

Rome is average at best. Its like Germany made for one specific strategy and not particularly
good outside of that.