G-Minor 36

[Methos]

While the general Hall of Fame is an ongoing competition, we like to run time-definite competitions between updates that we call Gauntlets. Standard Hall of Fame rules (*) still apply, but any games meeting the settings will be counted towards the Gauntlet.

[size=+1](*) Please read the >> HOF rules << BEFORE playing!
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Settings:

• Victory Condition: Conquest (though all victory conditions must be enabled)
• Difficulty: Prince
• Starting Era: Ancient
• Map Size: Standard
• Map Type: Continents
• Speed: Normal
• Civ: Any
• Opponents: Any
• Version: 1.74.002, 2.13.002 or 3.13.001
• Date: 26th February to 10th March 2008

Must not play as Inca.
The earliest finish date wins, with score as a tiebreaker.

 

[BLubmuz]

I've seen Lexad's comment on the major, and i think also that Portugal or Nederlans can be the choice.
Not sure about Portugal, 2 space in a caravel requires an impressive fleet to sail an invasion force.
But since i need both for my EQM i can try both.
And i need also to improve my minor score...

 

[Lexad]

On the other side, it's prince - you would not need much troops, so I'd go for Portugal. And you can pre-chop/pop-rush as much carracks as you want once you lightbulb Optics.

 

[BLubmuz]

Hmm... you need also to conquer your continent, before start with the other.
Also i got the impression that archers/longbows are in some way overpowered in BtS, i noticed that under the same conditions it's harder to beat them than in V/W, unless you have knights.

 

[VirusMonster]

I think you are facing the psychological illision of sheer numbers BTS poprushes more archers, that is all

 

[BLubmuz]

I think you are facing the psychological illision of sheer numbers BTS poprushes more archers, that is all

No, i can be wrong, it's not a question of quantity, but of single combat results.

 

[Mistfit]

I've not played a continents game to it's completion so I may try this one.

Portugal is the civ of choice here? Hmm interesting.. will have to read up on that one.

Edit:
Hmm.. both of those are BTS civs.. any suggestions for Vanilla?

Edit #2: We need to get to Astronomy to travel in ocean? IIRC that means getting calender and optics?

 

[Andrei_V]

Edit:
Hmm.. both of those are BTS civs.. any suggestions for Vanilla?

Russians. Peter, perhaps. I think Astronomy is not a major problem here.

In BtS they have a big disadvantage as Cavs need Rifling.

 

[Lexad]

Hmm... you need also to conquer your continent, before start with the other

If you have enough living space at your home continent - as you should, being the one who chooses the map - you should focus on getting Astro/Optics for Portu and strong production base ASAP. The most efficient strat would involve trading with you future victims for side-tracker techs and finishing them all in one turn. You can reach enemy cities at your home continent faster than on the other one.

 

[Mistfit]

I think I might try Romans once or twice in Vanilla just to see how they compare to the BTS crew

 

[dutchfire]

For Vanilla, the classic Astronomy lightbulb might be handy. Don't research Civil Service or Theology, get 3 Great Scientists, and use them to bulb Optics - Astronomy (2 scientists). (IIRC you need to make sure not get the pre-reqs for philosophy too).

Focus on getting Astronomy and an army to conquer the other continent first. You can always conquer your own continent quickly later.

 

[Mistfit]

what is the best way to insure getting 3 great scientist?

 

[dutchfire]

Build a library in a city, and run 2 scientists there. Don't build any wonder there. (Or build the Great Library). For 3 GSs, do this in 3 cities.

Good articles:
http://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/strategy/gp_points.php
http://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/strategy/gp_tech_pref.php

 

[Mistfit]

OK.. if I am understanding things correctly I would need

Wheel
Ag
Animal H.
BW
IW (for Preats)
Writing
Math
Calendar
Metal Casting
Machinery
Compass (oops missed this one)
Optics (1 GS to bulb)
Astro (2GS to bulb)

Likely I should not deviate from this except maybe to pick up Alphabet to fill in some of the blanks?

 

[RobertTheBruce]

what is the best way to insure getting 3 great scientist?

Caste System works well for pumping great scientists. Run a huge number of scientists in 2 or 3 high food cities to quickly generate the great scientists.

Philosophical isn't really necessary because you need to research Machinery and Compass while generating the great people. The Pyramids (for Representation) are worth building or capturing to get extra beakers from the specialists.

I might give this gauntlet a run with Stalin for something different. Grab metal casting or code of laws with the Oracle; conquer the nearby AI; build the Pyramids; and try to get swords to the other continent before longbows appear.

Ramesses might be a better choice at normal speed. Rush the nearby AIs with fast war chariots and the spiritual trait will make it easier to swap between caste system for scientists and bouts of whipping. It can be an anachronistic galleon full of chariots attack.

I don't think I will be able to trade for many techs so I will probably skip Alphabet and just rush the nearby AIs for their capitals.

 

[Mistfit]

you need compass to get to Optics?

Yup.. missed that one.. will need to add it to the list

 

[ParadigmShifter]

You need: optics, maths, calendar and compass.
You need to avoid: meditation, civil service, theology.

Rome seems quite a good choice since you don't need civil service for maces with praets.

 

[Mistfit]

what are you guys thinking a good finish date will be?

 

[RobertTheBruce]

what are you guys thinking a good finish date will be?

I would guess it will finish in the very early ADs if you start with 4 or 5 AIs on your continent. You can fund most of your research by conquering the local AIs, the 2 AIs on the small continent won't trade techs so there won't be many cities or advanced units to attack in the final rush.

 

[WastinTime]

@Methos: How about some map flexibility? Like Continents or Hemispheres. It'd be nice to hit a new map.