First Immortal game

[strijder20]

I've just started my first game above emperor (well, I won on Deity once, but Genghis vs. Gandhi Duel might have been a little bit biased towards me winning ) as the Aztecs (Large map, 8 players, Lakes).

Early game went smooth: I got El Dorado, a technology from a ruin, a culture ruin and other goodies. Got my worker out a little bit too late though. Built and bought two settlers and settled my second and third city.
I teched straight towards Philosophy, for the Oracle. I went tradition first, as I intend to win this game by culture.

Spoiler :

The core of the Aztec empire

I started on libraries in the two smaller cities and the Oracle in my capital and - BLAM - Augustus Caesar declares on me. I saw it coming: he was only 15 tiles away, coveted my lands and refused to give the full price for my OB but it was still extremely inconvenient. I spent a lot of early hammers and gold on Jags and Archers because of him.

Good old grumpy impatient Augustus didn't bring any Legions or Ballistas along, but decided to rush me with archers and warriors. Straight through a jungle. After his army (8 units or so) was chopped and shot to mincemeat by mine (2 archers, a spearjaguar and two jaguars) I went on the offensive. I had severe trouble taking Cumae, but a Great General and an extra archer finally did the trick.

And then he showed up with Legions and Ballistas. Well, one of each to be exact. He then showed his great military genius: after dancing around with aforementioned units and getting them killed after two turns, the bulk of his army (two spears, two warriors and a second ballista) appeared. They too didn't survive the battle.

Battle won, yes, but definitely not the war. Augustus is able to make both of his UUs, which have double the strength of my units - a bunch of spears, archers and jags. His next city, Antium, has strength 13, which means I can't take it without sword or catapult support. Even with those, it will be a pain.

Spoiler :

My army near Cumae

So off I go to Augustus, hoping that he doesn't demand anything:

Spoiler :

Uhm...

You wimp 800 gold and your second best city, without any immediate threat? Augustus, you just made my day.

 

[notadummy]

subscribed
but I have to say, this is still a bit in your favor....I mean aztecs on lakes
and el dorado too! and good ruins!
great way to start off your first game on immortal

good luck!

 

[smallfish]

Mmm, Jagswords

And I second that this is a great way to start off an 7 game.

e: Str 13 and up to 20 you can take with Composite Bows, but bring in 5-7 of them.

 

[strijder20]

but I have to say, this is still a bit in your favor....I mean aztecs on lakes

Oh, completely unintentional

e: Str 13 and up to 20 you can take with Composite Bows, but bring in 5-7 of them.

I'm playing on vanilla, so no upgrades until machinery for me.

I made peace with Rome, and Augustus doesn't seem to hold a grudge. Not that I care, I don't want to be friends with that rusher.

Spoiler :

A few turns later, he even offers a DoF! Thanks, but no thanks, buddy.
I get in a bit of happiness trouble, but the Piety policy which gives extra for culture buildings solves it.

Oda's DoF is welcome, though:

Spoiler :

A few turns later, he declares on Augustus, together with Saladin and Cathy. Hah.

I settle a fourth and final (aside from puppets) city and finish Civil Service:

Spoiler :

Maybe going for another city is a bit dubious when going culture, but Legalism's free monument helps and it'll give me more science and money to make up for it

I start on the Chichen Itza in Tlatelolco, not for it's benefits but because reformation gives extra culture per city with a world wonder.

I also sign a RA with Harun al Rashid. I planned my teching accordingly for it to finish on Acoustics.

Spoiler :

I built the HS - a bit late, but apparently no other AI went for it. It's a pretty warlike bunch I rolled, so that probably has to do with it.

Spoiler :

I take a Great Engineer as a free person. Again for the Reformation culture: Teotihuacan has almost zero production and will not get a WW done by itself.

I take Mandate of Heaven as my new policy instead of Theocracy, which would have been more useful at the moment. I do this to allow me to take Theocracy as a free policy from Free Religion: this way I'll get the Piety's finisher effect (cheaper policies) a bit earlier. Every bit helps, I guess.

Education is finished and as I said, I use my free Engineer to finish the Notre Dame. I won't go for Porcelain tower, as my gold is better spent on cultural city states than on RAgreements. Tech goes directly to Acoustics now, for Sistine, which I'll try to build in my capital, and the Hermitage, which I'll build in Teotihuacan.

Spoiler :

Ouch. While I'm glad Augustus got what he deserved, this now makes Oda my neighbour - and neighbours don't tend to get along in Civ V.

Spoiler :

After exploring a bit in the east, I discover Napoleon and a large amount of his troops. They are probably going to attack either Oda or Augustus.

Spoiler :

And on the last turn, a good thing and a bad thing happens: I finally get the NC done, but someone built Citza, 8 turns before me Oh well.

Spoiler :