oldbustedjorn
Prince
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 353
So I read WAY more SGs than I play and I've been reading them since I found this site shortly after buying Civ4. I used to be able to play Monarch on Civ4 and I'm trying my hardest to enjoy Civ5 because in some ways, I LOVE 1upt (though I realize there are also serious problems with it).
The reason for this post is that I REALLY struggle in the beginning of the game. I love to play random civs so that I don't learn to rely on one or two special abilities. I want to be able to adapt. I think, where I go wrong, is in choosing an overall strategy and whether or not to play with my special abilities.
This last game I started, I ended up with Songhai. Here is my thinking.
1. Extra (triple) gold from taking cities and barb camps. I start with a warrior but it isn't really strong enough to take the first camp quickly (had to deal with a brute wandering nearby). I don't see how taking cities for triple gold would play into anyone's strategy. So basically, I decide that this is a waste for strategic purposes
2. The Mud building thingie - +5 culture and no maintenance. First though: CULTURE VICTORY! But then I think about how small +5 culture/city is, since you usually want LESS cities for a cultural victory. Plus you need to build them. If I go ICS, I'm thinking it will be a nice bonus - but again doesn't really play into strategy.
3. I don't remember what the special unit was but it didn't impress me
So basically, nothing about the leader say - do strategy X. I decide to give ICS a try. Now I haven't gotten very far, but I decide to do the freedom line for cheap settlers.
BTW, I'm on standard Pangea and I think the difficulty is prince or noble or whatever it's called now. I'm still trying to learn.
I know once I get past a certain point, I really get into it (until the first war is over then I usually hit the same lull). I think it's because there are too many options at that point and I can't differentiate. Does anyone else struggle with this? Do you have any practical suggestions or questions you ask yourself in order to determine which early course to take?
Thanks
The reason for this post is that I REALLY struggle in the beginning of the game. I love to play random civs so that I don't learn to rely on one or two special abilities. I want to be able to adapt. I think, where I go wrong, is in choosing an overall strategy and whether or not to play with my special abilities.
This last game I started, I ended up with Songhai. Here is my thinking.
1. Extra (triple) gold from taking cities and barb camps. I start with a warrior but it isn't really strong enough to take the first camp quickly (had to deal with a brute wandering nearby). I don't see how taking cities for triple gold would play into anyone's strategy. So basically, I decide that this is a waste for strategic purposes
2. The Mud building thingie - +5 culture and no maintenance. First though: CULTURE VICTORY! But then I think about how small +5 culture/city is, since you usually want LESS cities for a cultural victory. Plus you need to build them. If I go ICS, I'm thinking it will be a nice bonus - but again doesn't really play into strategy.
3. I don't remember what the special unit was but it didn't impress me
So basically, nothing about the leader say - do strategy X. I decide to give ICS a try. Now I haven't gotten very far, but I decide to do the freedom line for cheap settlers.
BTW, I'm on standard Pangea and I think the difficulty is prince or noble or whatever it's called now. I'm still trying to learn.
I know once I get past a certain point, I really get into it (until the first war is over then I usually hit the same lull). I think it's because there are too many options at that point and I can't differentiate. Does anyone else struggle with this? Do you have any practical suggestions or questions you ask yourself in order to determine which early course to take?
Thanks