Get a grip

[WetWarev7]

I've allways been very good at diplomacy and waging war, but I can't seem to get a grip on wonders, culture, research and growth. I know how to do these things, but I can never seem to keep my perspective long enough make these work.

I feel like I'm missing out not being able to play different styles - I start out making a production center, but lose my nerve when my treasury drops too low, or when I try to create a research center, I can't help but feel naked without the barracks, fortifications, cottages, etc.

I even shudder at the length of time it takes to make a wonder, anguishing over it till I can start producing military units again. I just can't seem to stick to any strategy that does not involve oppressing the rest of the world.

I am doomed to playing the warmonger.

Those that play for other victory conditions, how do you do it? How do you stick to culture, or research, or growth, when the barbs come knocking at your door? When neighboring civ goes off to war with another civ, leaving his flank exposed with nice fat cities calling to you "come and take me...come and take me..."? Never knowing when someones going to beat you to that wonder you've been building for years and are only two turns away from? How do you do it?

 

[Gato Loco]

Play a level lower than usual to take the pressure off, and limit yourself to never declaring war. Once you've gotten used to the idea of spceialist centers and research centers then go back up to your normal difficulty. Myself, I haven't decided whether wonders are worth it. Semms like too much of a risk, but if you're planning on GP-farming you may need them.

 

[Shillen]

That is good advice. Play a game where you can't go to war.

I have the opposite problem. I tend to be a builder and delay wars forever and ever because I just have to have libraries and universities everywhere. So the way I'm working on that is by removing the space, diplomacy and culture victory conditions. So if I want to win I have to conquer or dominate everyone.

 

[vinstafresh]

I'm more of a builder kind of guy and I only wage easy wars (or at least wars I know I'll win eventually). I always try to build a barracks in each city early on for the free promotion. I'll wage a little ancient war for horses, since they are excellent pillagers during wars (pillaging generates gold). I'll try to get copper and iron as well. I'm researching all kinds of tech first (early religion if possible, alphabet to trade techs, currency to sell techs, priesthood for the oracle to get another free tech, metal casting to make forges). While researching and producing buildings, I am aware that I'm neglecting my defenses a little, so I pop out an occasional unit. I give in to every demand that is made, especially from neighbours. When I can get guilds to build knights, I'll go after the weakest civ neighbour, if there is one or take a city with a lot of luxuries or other resources that might pose a threat to me.

I'll pop out more defensive units when my cottages are developing into villages and when the trait of one of my neighbours is aggressive. They'll attack you when they smell blood.

Hope this helps...

 

[vinstafresh]

To add some more info (edit didn't work):

If you are having trouble building wonders, try playing as an industrious civ (forges cost 50% and wonders cost 66% production). Look for marble and stone, since they cut production by 50% (oracle, stonehenge, great library)

 

[Vizzini]

I just set the victory conditions to whatever I'm in the mood for. If I'm feeling in a Warmongering Mood, Domination and Conquest are the only possible victory conditions. Dittos for Space Race, or Culture.

Of course, it's real easy to win a Space Race... if you're the only Civ left in the race. ]