posted July 07, 2001 09:57 AM
There still remain something I can't deal with. Once celebrating, I grow up fantastically. But once, I get the luxuries back to 10-20% to get science go on, civil disorders are back, and I waste my men to have them become artist => not enough food = starvation => goto start So there's no point...
It is important to know that you cannot drop the luxuries to 10%, and probably should not use 20%, unless you want to stop celebrating.
Here is my general rule in a democracy: At least 30% lux... Often, before Cure For Cancer, and maybe Women's Suffrage, it may well be 40%. Once I switch to Democracy, I'm normally always growing a lot of cities, be they captured ones or newly founded ones.
In your case, because of the map I saw that you posted (before TF removed the maps), it will probably make more sense for you to grow at 40% or so, then drop to 20% and stop celebrating. Don't bother with 10%, as I'm pretty sure you don't have the trade routes/wonders/improvements to handle that.
So, unless you have trade routes and banks/coliseums, you may well have to use entertainers (or multiple taxmen/scientists). As you build infrastructure and get OVERSEAS trade routes, your cities will become content (but probably not "happy") without entertainers.
Remember, you goal is to build & grow now, then conquer later, yet subvert/revolt the enemy if the opportunity arises.
Based on the map I saw before it was deleted, and assuming you still have your alliances, you should have almost no military. Build those freight, and dump them into an overseas Republic/Democracy. Find the biggest city a reasonable distance, and send all your freight there, unless the commodity is a highly valuable one and you see the suitable overseas recipient. The bonuses you get should net you from 300 to 1500 gold for each freight, partly depending on exactly what tech has been discovered by everyone in the game so far.
Build up your gold (and science will come from freight/caravans, too), and target specific cities to take, one by one.
Try and send a transport with a dip (spy is even better) and some freight, then find some other AI civs. Do some trading, and trade maps if they are "worshipful" or maybe "enthusiastic" after the tech trading is done. Do not violate current alliances <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/smile.gif" border=0>.
Remember, as you grow and get tech, other civs (even you allies) will become less and less happy with you, so take full advantage of your weakness right now!
BTW, see the vertical in your power graph in recent years? That's a sure fire indicator someone is celebrating from a very weak starting position... it means your empire has bee no where near its potential for hundreds of years. A vertical rise can also be an indicator of conquest, if it coincides with the equally sudden decline of another civ.
Stay in Democracy, focus on trade and growth, make peace, don't bother your allies, and subvert anyone (including allies) when able. BTW, if you don't have them, try and get Corporation & Espionage ASAP!!
EDIT: Spelling.
[This message has been edited by starlifter (edited July 07, 2001).]
It's quite a maze at some points.
