Early wars (on Emp and above)

[Delphi456]

Assume game level is Emperor or above, and you've settled at least the optimum number of cities before running out of room, and you have 1 or 2 lux's, iron and horses.

Can someone explain the benefits of early war in this scenerio? Instead of building a massive military, wouldn't you be better off peacefully building libraries, marketplaces, universities? This allows you to pull ahead tech-wise and then start a war with better units. Also, on emp and above the AI can outproduce you militarily, plus they tend to dogpile. I'm confused...

 

[Bobv13]

Go to your strength, I think the correct answer lies in "What civ are you?"

 

[vmxa]

To make a long story short, you may go to war early to eliminate a civ and gain their land. Structures can do those things, but they are not as fast as troops taking down the AI.

 

[drakdan]

Any civ that is on your landmass is a threat, and should be murdered, REGARDLESS of what civ you are. Now usually war and expanding your territory, especially at the earlier stages when it is easiest, will lead to a more sucessful civ game than hunkering down and building. Try running two games from the same starting point, one where you go to war (Build NO buildings except marketplaces and maybe temp/lib's for culture expansion only), and one where you build build build. See which game goes better, ends faster, and whatnot.
Also while the 2 luxuries serve you well fairly early on, the more luxuries you get the bigger you grow. The level of difficulty I have in my games is usually determined most by the number of luxuries I can easily get to. I've had Demigod games go as easily as monarch because I started in the middle of 4 luxuries.

 

[Mursi lives]

I wouldnt call "early wars" the scenario you are describing.

Both ressources, luxes, and enough territory for your core? I almost never got that at DG level without fighting earlier.
How much earlier? It depends a bit of which civ I am playing, and much more of how many tiles there is between my neighbors and me. Last time i started on a crowded continent it was barracks, 4 bows, 1 spear and fight before building my first settler.

And once you got a strong military, it is a waste to stay in peace, isnt it?

 

[bustedsynapses]

Early wars cut the AI nations down to size. They out-produce you. If they're half again as big as you, they more than double your production. Plus, they will eventually attack you, and they'll recruit some friends. Yes, they will be furious with you for the rest of the game, but you plan to eventually wipe them out.

I find that if I'm fighting someone who has no cities on my border, then I just keep killing their units without taking towns. Eventually, they'll agree to terms, and they won't be forever furious. Then they'll trade with you in a reasonable manner. In theory. I actually find that they'll rarely trade with me, regardless. I have to whittle down their military first, so that they can afford to trade. Stupid AI always builds until it's broke.

 

[Delphi456]

I think my problem is that I've been playing Mayans since Warlord. I just started my first diety game and flew past all other civs (standard size) with 30 towns before getting boxed in. This happened (to a lesser/greater extend) on every level. Why would I start a war when I've got so much potential for easy settlement? My military is finally getting caught up (tons of cats) to defend this monster empire. I've build libraries, FP, marketplaces, aquas and the occational courthouse. I am fighting mini-defensive wars via 'Get out or declare' to get WH, but I normally don't start full scale invasion until I get cav - and then its AW til the last man is standing.

 

[Mursi lives]

30 towns in deity standard size without fighting? I'm impressed !

Well, i assume there is no need for wars then, except for stopping an AI civ wihich would be becoming bigger than you.