Can someone give me some tips please on expansion. I'm trying a new game on Noble (hardest I've ever tried) and have only managed to get 4 cities and it's already 900AD! My opponents already have about 9 cities each. Creating settlers just takes so long and with everything else that needs building I can't keep up with the computer (which I'm still not convinced cheats regularly!). I expanded rapidly on one game, but ended up massively in debt and had to give it up!
Expansion
- Thread starter MikeUK
- Start date
GravityWave
Deposed Emperor
I usually chop my first 3 settlers from my capital after building Stonehenge, then build more settlers from one of the newly founded cities. Mightn't work for you, but works for me most of the time.
EweezE
Dog Soldier
Play as an Imperialistic leader until you figure out how to produce settlers efficiently without the magical trait. It might be just what you need to keep up with that "cheating" AI. Really though, the AI does not cheat until you go above Noble. Then all of its bonuses can be considered cheats I suppose.
Sisiutil
All Leader Challenger
- Cottages. Build 'em, work 'em, grow 'em. It's how you'll be able to afford to expand your empire.
- Remember you can both chop forests and use the Slavery civic to accelerate early production to get those Settlers out faster. Also, try playing as an Imperialistic leader, so Settler production is faster.
- By late mid-game, you'll need Currency and Code of Laws (the latter for courthouses in particular) to help make your growing empire more affordable.
- If there's no more room left for expansion, focus on military and expand through conquest. Try playing as a civ with a good early game UU. Say, as Rome. Oh, look, Julius Caesar is Imperialistic too! What a happy coincidence...
Civsassin
Immortal
Remember that you can also expand and at the same time cripple your AI opponents by building and early army and warring. I like to do that after first settling my own city or two maximum. Stonehenge is excellent once it yields your first GP. Settled he gets you five gold.
What's a UU?
Sisiutil
All Leader Challenger
Unique Unit.
DutchJob
Prince
what kind of maps do you play?
and do you build and work mines and farmes while building settlers?
and do you build and work mines and farmes while building settlers?
budweiser
King of the Beers
When you want to expand, expand. Dont build all the buildings at the same time. Also make sure you build workers and use them to improve your tiles. You can also chop forest to help get the settlers built faster. Then, dont expand too fast or you will go broke. Take the time to learn currency and code of laws so you can afford more expansion later.
christian_a
Chieftain
It's of vital importance to get a good economy going, in order to support your expansion. Whether you're a warmonger, taking enemy cities (or just razing money to support an expansion) or going for normal expansion, with settlers.
I find that a Financial leader helps here, especially with cities built near rivers - in order to cottage spam at riverbanks - and with one or two Commerce yielding resources nearby. My idea of a good starting position, almost for any leader or tactic, is a coastal start, with seafood in the BFC. Of course, you need Fishing for this to be of any use, but still...And then satrt out by building a Workboat or two. As opposed to Workers, the production of these do not stop your city from growing. I find that a rapid city growth (not too fast, you still need to avoid Unhappiness) gives a good start.
I also like early Unique Buildings, since almost any bonus from these is good fro the rest of the game. Hannibal of Carthago I like, Financial, good early UU and UB. Go for early Horseback Riding, and a handful of Numidian Cav will keep the barbs from your doorstep. With his Charismatic trait, they quickly become veteran units.
Are there any Fin/Imp leaders?
I find that a Financial leader helps here, especially with cities built near rivers - in order to cottage spam at riverbanks - and with one or two Commerce yielding resources nearby. My idea of a good starting position, almost for any leader or tactic, is a coastal start, with seafood in the BFC. Of course, you need Fishing for this to be of any use, but still...And then satrt out by building a Workboat or two. As opposed to Workers, the production of these do not stop your city from growing. I find that a rapid city growth (not too fast, you still need to avoid Unhappiness) gives a good start.
I also like early Unique Buildings, since almost any bonus from these is good fro the rest of the game. Hannibal of Carthago I like, Financial, good early UU and UB. Go for early Horseback Riding, and a handful of Numidian Cav will keep the barbs from your doorstep. With his Charismatic trait, they quickly become veteran units.
Are there any Fin/Imp leaders?
christian_a
Chieftain
Another strategy is to go for the zulus, I believe they're Agg and...something.
Anyway, with their UB as a Brracks with reduction in upkeep expenses, they're ok for expanding. Especially in the warmongering style, since their UU is fast, good and early.
Who is Agg/Fin? The Vikings, right? They can manage some good warmongering/expansion. But their UU comes a little late for this. Where their strenghts lie, is when playing Archipelago, and having two Galleys (or even Workboats) sail in opposite directions, to circumnavigate the world, and get the nice +1 move for ships. And once their veteran UU get upgraded to Riflemen, they can be very nice attackers in amphibious battles.
A third strategy is Darius, he's Fin/Org. So cottage spam, especialy at rivers, and go for Courthouses to manage the economy. His UU are also good for early attacks and raids. IIRC his UB is helpful for Health, and that's ok.
These were primarily Cottage Economy tips from me. Totally different strategies are needed for Specialist Economy.
Anyway, with their UB as a Brracks with reduction in upkeep expenses, they're ok for expanding. Especially in the warmongering style, since their UU is fast, good and early.
Who is Agg/Fin? The Vikings, right? They can manage some good warmongering/expansion. But their UU comes a little late for this. Where their strenghts lie, is when playing Archipelago, and having two Galleys (or even Workboats) sail in opposite directions, to circumnavigate the world, and get the nice +1 move for ships. And once their veteran UU get upgraded to Riflemen, they can be very nice attackers in amphibious battles.
A third strategy is Darius, he's Fin/Org. So cottage spam, especialy at rivers, and go for Courthouses to manage the economy. His UU are also good for early attacks and raids. IIRC his UB is helpful for Health, and that's ok.
These were primarily Cottage Economy tips from me. Totally different strategies are needed for Specialist Economy.
Pacifist46
King
I suggest playing as Charlemagne:
-Imperialistic trait allows faster settlers
-UB is the Rathaus - eliminates 3/4 of city expenses
- Protective means if you want to focus on your economy rather than military, you don't have to build as many units to defend yourself.
- UU is Landsknecht, which is awesome.
Overall, Charlemagne is my favourite leader for expansion, along with Ragnar. If you want to go to war, choose Ragnar and hopefully start on a river - spam cottages along it, build up a massive medieval stack (with Beserkers) and hit someone with it.
-Imperialistic trait allows faster settlers
-UB is the Rathaus - eliminates 3/4 of city expenses
- Protective means if you want to focus on your economy rather than military, you don't have to build as many units to defend yourself.
- UU is Landsknecht, which is awesome.
Overall, Charlemagne is my favourite leader for expansion, along with Ragnar. If you want to go to war, choose Ragnar and hopefully start on a river - spam cottages along it, build up a massive medieval stack (with Beserkers) and hit someone with it.
