G-Major 36

[Jenarie]

[*]Opponents: Must include India, Mongolia, Persia, Aztec (Montezuma), Egypt (Hatshepsut), France (Napoleon), Mali (Mansa Musa), Spain (Isabella)

Must not play as Inca.

I'm wondering who people are playing as and which India they are using for opponent? I tried this once but Monarch is a bit high for me especially since I've been away from playing for a long time and it didn't go very well.

I like playing Brennus (Celts) but not sure if that is good choice or not. I really prefer spiritual civs but (I'm sure by design) several of them are already in as opponents. Would Saladim be good for this?

Cultural is the thing I do best at so I'm thinking I might actually be able to get a win out of this monarch game - a win to submit not a win that will compete - but having some trouble deciding how to set it up.

Side note, back when there was just a vanilla, someone had a webpage where you could go and choose the trait you wanted and it filtered for you which civs had that trait. I'm not familiar with all the new civs and would love to be able to filter religion, culture, etc depending on the game to see who to play AND who not to play against when adding opponents but haven't found it again if it is online somewhere... anyone know?

Thanks!

 

[Harbourboy]

I always work on the principle that Philosophical is the most important trait for this sort of game so you can maximise the number of Great Artists you can wheel out. So I am playing as Peter, but culture is not the issue for me at the moment, it's more the problem of keeping all these grumpy AIs at bay. Napoleon and Kublai Khan are under control but now Catherine is attacking me. Aaargh.

 

[ParadigmShifter]

What possessed you to add Cathy to this game?

 

[Harbourboy]

I thought she might be friendly with Peter because they're both Russian? Lincoln and Washington never seem to attack each other.

 

[ParadigmShifter]

I can't see that being a good enough reason to add an extra AI... I heard Cathy was a ruthless backstabber who can be bribed into war when friendly...

 

[Conquistador 63]

Side note, back when there was just a vanilla, someone had a webpage where you could go and choose the trait you wanted and it filtered for you which civs had that trait. I'm not familiar with all the new civs and would love to be able to filter religion, culture, etc depending on the game to see who to play AND who not to play against when adding opponents but haven't found it again if it is online somewhere... anyone know?

Thanks!

It's called "Civilization IV Leader Picker" and there is a page for each version of the game, check CFC's CIV4 reference page.

 

[Harbourboy]

My first game was too hard. So I'm trying a second time as the Khmer, with much more focus on trying to keep Isabella happy. This time I have Lincoln instead of Catherine as a neighbour. The diplomacy is going better, but my lands are turning out to be a bit crappier.

 

[ParadigmShifter]

I still can't work out why you are adding extra AIs for a peaceful game, unless you want to take a capital with an early rush.

Everyone is declaring war on me in my game (well, Napoleon, Monty, Cyrus and Hatty). It's quite annoying. I have Cho-ko-nu though now (bulbed from my GE from the mids).

Cyrus keeps demanding a city for peace, I may try and fob him off with monarchy.

 

[ryzax]

I still can't work out why you are adding extra AIs for a peaceful game, unless you want to take a capital with an early rush.

Everyone is declaring war on me in my game (well, Napoleon, Monty, Cyrus and Hatty). It's quite annoying. I have Cho-ko-nu though now (bulbed from my GE from the mids).

Cyrus keeps demanding a city for peace, I may try and fob him off with monarchy.

yes, take one or two capitals within the first 200 turns and make sure you have a high power rating. convert to the religion of your neighbors.

 

[Harbourboy]

I gave up on my second attempt as the land was no good and I was teching so slowly. Third attempt coming up. I think I need to avoid having a coastal capital.

 

[Harbourboy]

Third attempt is working better because I have given up on the early rush and focused on beelining to Oracle and Parthenon with early marble. There's enough space on this map (even with Lincoln added) to settle enough cities, and all military effort can be devoted to building an impenetrable defensive system. Getting Oracle (even if it's only for Code of Laws) and building the Confuscian Shrine have put me in much better shape. I'm now heading straight for Music for the free Artist and Sistine Chapel, at which point I'm all geared up for Culture. From then on, it will be a case of how to stop Montezuma and Napoleon from building enormous killer stacks that come and cause havoc.

 

[unclethrill]

Third attempt is working better because I have given up on the early rush and focused on beelining to Oracle and Parthenon with early marble. There's enough space on this map (even with Lincoln added) to settle enough cities, and all military effort can be devoted to building an impenetrable defensive system. Getting Oracle (even if it's only for Code of Laws) and building the Confuscian Shrine have put me in much better shape. I'm now heading straight for Music for the free Artist and Sistine Chapel, at which point I'm all geared up for Culture. From then on, it will be a case of how to stop Montezuma and Napoleon from building enormous killer stacks that come and cause havoc.

I had a decent start with Lizzy. Got GLH, Parthenon, TSC, founded 2 religions and acquired 2 other. Had a short early war with Issy because she hates everyone but all I lost were 2 brand new cities that were draining economy. Turned 2 others with culture. Got Lib slingshot and built Taj. Was in first place on score, had enough money to run at 100 culture for a while still but then Nappy decided that being at war with the rest of the world wasn't enough. He rolled up and took out my main military building city and most of my military.
Between that and the need for 150K culture, I decided that this game will take tooo long for my taste. I might try again but I think that with the opponents split between Psycho war mongers, Religious fanatics and cultural/research mongers, the best start is one that rolls military over a good chunk of the world. I'm sure it won't get the 1st place but will make for a much more fun game IMO.

 

[billybgame]

I'm giving this one a go, but the thing is, I'm still confused about the details on a cultural victory, with different game speeds and world sizes. Can't understand why the details aren't in the game, but I sure can't find them. I've asked before where you can find these, but go no replies.

For instance, how much culture for Legendary, per each game speed?

How many cities do you need to get each cathedral, for differing games? I learned the hard way the last culture victory I got, when I found I need 4 cities per cathedral, and only had what I thought was needed, 9. Had to quick build 3 cities and build all the temples, and it delayed my win.

So, can anyone tell me where all these details are?

I'm progressing in my game with some pretty amazing luck, I think. Although, I'm pretty boxed in, due to the Aztecs and Mali being pretty darned close, and the usual land grab at higher difficulties. But, I have 5 cities, and still think I can get 9 cities. But, if I need 12, that's real iffy. Might have to culture turn some to do that.

The luck part is that I have 6 civs using my religion(Hindu) at this point Could hardly believe how well and far it was spreading. And, the Indians don't even have a religion yet. Most amazing was when it spread to feisty Isabella, who had Buddhism, she switched! I was stunned. With only one of her cities having Hinduism.

So, both of my immediate neighbors have numerous cities with my religion, so it's looking pretty darned good.

We shall see, though.

 

[ParadigmShifter]

It's 3 temples per cathedral on large, but 7 libraries/courthouses for Oxford/Forbidden Palace.

150,000 is the amount needed for legendary I'm afraid.

My game is at about 1100AD. I wiped out Napoleon in 1060AD becasue he was annoying. Cyrus still hates me but I can probably hold him off. Monty of course hates me but he has nothing to throw at me.

Asoka has vassalised Mansa and now Izzy, so he has dropped to cautious. He is teching at a monster rate though. He also beat me to the Parthenon by 2 trurns (should have whipped it). He beat me in the liberalism race so I teched Printing Press instead, a good move got me education (from Mansa) and Liberalism (from Asoka, turn after) in trades.

Kublai really likes me to, but Asoka has "enough on his hands", I think he will go for Kublai (hopefully not me, although am going to increase my defences a bit). If Asoka and Mansa attack me I am finished. If they attack Kublai I'll keep getting asked to help though

Izzy is 1 Cyrus away so she hasn't been a problem.

EDIT: After our early war, Hatty now likes me and has been a great Monty checker. She turned Jewish like me, Asoka and Mansa (now both Free religion though). Every time I saw some of Monty's stacks on my borders and he had "enough on our hands" I bribed her to DoW Monty, very handy.

EDIT: Teching, OK. Have lots of money for deficit research. Teching Nationalism now. I think I'll need rifling for this game, so next plan is banking/replaceable parts/gunpowder/rifling.

Building my 3rd cathedral so far, had to trade my stone for rice (only Kublai would trade, need the granary health bonus items), and Mansa nicked my marble with his Islamic holy city (although I'm fighting back a bit now, although my city with the marble isn't one of the big 3).

You have to love the Sistine Chapel on BtS with +5 culture for a temple and a mnastery, that doubles to +10 after 1000 years!!! The pavillion is quite nice too.

I built the Pyramids so may do some rush buying later.

 

[billybgame]

I know I have a ways to go on learning how to compete at Monarch, but with the tech/building disadvantage, it amazes me how you can get any wonders. Higher difficulties....forget it.

I wanted Stonehenge and/or the Oracle, but didn't even get close on either.

I've got some things going for me, still, though. I was amazed to see a Great Prophet appear. A city had self chosen to put two specialists at work(scientest and prophet). So, I lucked out when I got the Prophet. That sure helped my tech rate, which was struggling at 40% prior to that. Now we're at 70%.

Edit: So, where do you find this info on cultural victories? Why does this seem so vague? Is it just me, or is this info only learned through osmosis?

 

[ajw2255]

http://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/strategy/cultural_victory_notes.php

Get most my info here. Not doing this gauntlet though, too tough for me

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Played to 1240AD. My good pal Kublai had a look at my lands and decided they weren't well defended enough so he invaded with Monty's help (well, 2 horse archers and a maceman).

Quickly got my act together and fought off his Keshiks, luckily they only pillaged my pigs and a workshop in the capital. Monty took peace after I killed his laughable invasion force, he has become Cyus' vassal now. Cyrus keeps going to war with Izzy (she's the only Buddhist).

Now have 3 religions to spread (Judaism need another couple of tmples for 3rd Cathedral, Hinduism need a couple more for a 2nd, Buddhism just starting to be spread).

Researching gunpowder, hopefully will be able to get banking for it. Then I'll switch to caste & merc and start pumping out Great Artists (already settled 3, 1 in each big city).

Then it's a stroll to Replaceable parts, rifling and then do some rush buying then go max culture I think.

Still got 400 odd turns to hold out though, I do hope Asoka doesn't decide to attack (he's +2 cautious).

EDIT: Yet again Hatty helped me out by DoW'ing Kublai when he backstabbed me (I gave her education and she gave me some cash as well).

Funniest thing so far in this game was Napoleon getting a Great Engineer, building the AP, and me razing the city the next turn

 

[Harbourboy]

This game is taking forever. I keep getting annoying Great Scientists as a result of Great Library. I wonder whether it would have been better to not build that in this game.

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Yikes, yeah, don't build the great lib, go for parthenon or pyramids instead. You only need 1 GS for an academy (maybe one more for edu bulb). I went GE (mids - bulbed machinery, I am playing as China), GS (specialist), GA (music) and if I get another engineer it's golden age time (or hermitage maybe).

This game is taking forever though. Should be done in 3-400 turns Hatty gave me banking and optics for liberalism, result. Asoka DoW'd on Kublai and he can't get to me without going through Hatty/Asoka/Mansa land, so I am keeping the war going without doing anything, so Asoka is back to pleased for mutual struggle. Cyrus is teching astro so he will have to face my rifles if he does decide to invade.

Missed the Taj, not a surprise. Still working on getting my marble back from Mansa via culture.

In merc and caste now so GA's are coming quite quickly now.

 

[jesusin]

For instance, how much culture for Legendary, per each game speed?

How many cities do you need to get each cathedral, for differing games?

F1, you can see the different numbers for each border pop, the last one meaning legendary. 25K/50K/75K/150K for Quick to Marathon.

F6, hover your mouse over the cathedral in the Music tech, it says it needs 4 temples in the biggest maps, 2 in the smallest.