Expansionist trait is pretty cool.

[BiatchGuy]

I've read people's opinions that it's not a good trait to have but I like it -- it gives a nice jump start. You can check out more of the map, goodie huts are nicer to you, etc.. It's a good way to get tech too, from the goodie huts.

Not as good a trait to have as, say, Religious or Scientific, but still worthy.


-thoughts-

 

[Matt_G]

Depends on the map size. On a large or huge map (continents or pangea) I think it can be very valuable. On a tiny map it's next to worthless. At least you don't have to research pottery if you want to play the farmer's gambit.
I wish they would bolster this trait a little. Maybe 1/2 price granary's, aquaduct's and hospitals. Something to make it more attractive.

 

[Allemand]

Expansionist is the most powerful trait in the first era and after that it's useless, but it should have given you a huge lead in techs by the time you reach Republic. That would be about 2000BC, give or take a few hundred. It's more useful on larger maps than on smaller ones.

After the first era you have to depend on your other trait to help you, because Expansionist will then be no help at all.

 

[LordAzreal]

I don't mind the expansionist trait at all. It does, however lose its value when explorers become available. Sometimes, I like to use scouts/explorers for resource denial purposes (particularly the explorer. Imagine being able to swoop in, cut off their resource and be back out to safety in the same turn)

Combine it with scientific (Russians of course), and then you can get a huge tech lead from the goody huts, and use the cheap libraries and universities to stay in that lead (only works for me up to Regent/Monarch. Even then it is still a challenge to get to that lead. Particularly with the English as goody-hut junkie rivals).

If only it had sufficient long term value though, because by the middle ages, the other trait is the only one I can depend on.

 

[Tazman]

I also Like the expansionist trait as you all have mentioned it gives an excellent start on the larger maps. It works especially well with religion, ie the Iroquois. By exploring the biggest area quickest, it is easier and quicker to build cities in great places and then get a real jump on culture by building quickly religious buildings.

 

[lietkynes]

I usually play as the Aztecs. The Jaguar Warrior has the same movement as the scout and i still can take advantage of 2 traits.

 

[Yzman]

But you do not have the same goody hut benefits they have.

 

[lietkynes]

Originally posted by Yzman
But you do not have the same goody hut benefits they have.

Little prize to pay for having religious trait.

i think the best thing in expansionist trait is the possibility to have scouts and quickly explore the surroundigs, which i achieve with jaguar warrior.

goody huts benefits are not that crucial to me.