Emperor+ expansion?

[SesnOfWthr]

As part of my continuing effort to really master this game, I'd like to take a bit of a poll among players who regularly beat the higher levels.

Now, I know that game situations change what your answers will be, I'm just looking for a general rule of thumb.

What level can you beat consistently?
At that level, how many cities do you normally have at 1000 bc?
Ditto at 10 ad?
Do you reach these numbers using an ICS strat?
At these two points in time, are you even, ahead or behind the larger AI's in terms of city count?

I also know that some of the better players here can get 100+ cities by 10 ad., but I don't know how that relates to the AI.

Lets assume you're playing standard size map, average climate settings, if it matters.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Beam]

I beat Demigod consistently in single player and most likely would beat Deity as well but don't have the time avail. to do the extensive part of Micromanagement. I limit that to the critical parts of the game, i.e. in the first 100 - 120 turns and around wonder building.

Also, most of the games I play are PBEM so there is a complicating factor there.

The numbers at 1000 BC and 10 AD really depend on the quality of the terrain and I would have to check games for appr. numbers.

The key thing however in the first 50-80 turns is expansion through settlement as long as there is terrain available for cities. The AI usually attempts the same and most of the time there is not a real risk of war with the AI. There are exeptions of course

In that expansion phase military units should be limited mainly to warriors and usually that provides defenders for the new cities at about the right pace. Building settlers and workers is key. City improvements should be limited to granaries in cities that can provide both a high shield and food output. Sometimes a temple in a city near the AI that covers a key resource.

One or two warriors and curraghs can go out and start making contact with the AI quite early in the game.

About the time there is no room for expansion left it is needed to consider when to build forces and go to war with neighbouring AI's. Border cities need to be defended anyway if such a war is postponed. In that case it is time to start building city improvements. All of this really depends on the state of the game.

Finally, smart techtrading obviously is key.

Good luck!

 

[Arathorn]

I can beat deity pretty easily and consistently.

1000 bc? 6-12, probably -- depends on bonus food in the area and the closeness of AIs and barb level and...
10 ad? Varies from 12-25 depending on closeness and number of neighbors
ICS? Never. Wouldn't even consider it.
behind at those points. Often significantly.

I doubt I've ever had 100 cities. I wouldn't want them if I had them.

Arathorn