Getting back to the Basics. Your first moves?

[Quagga]

I never ever build warriors. I go:

1. worker (or workboat, ideally)
2. Barracks
3. Archer

In contrast, I only build archers if I find out I don't have any nearby copper. That means I won't even start Archery (and Hunting if needed) until I've found this out.

One thing to consider is that two warriors in a city is safer than having a single archer garrison. In my mind, the only plusses of archers are to stop pillaging by barbarian archers and then later to resist barbarian axemen. But if I'm still relying on archers to stop barb axemen, that means I didn't find copper, horses or iron. In other words, a lost game.

Another thing that can go wrong is the barbarian uprising resulting in a nearby stack of barbarian spearmen. It's a hoot when you have the Great Wall. Otherwise, you'd better hope you have axemen!

 

[jray]

Another thing that can go wrong is the barbarian uprising resulting in a nearby stack of barbarian spearmen. It's a hoot when you have the Great Wall. Otherwise, you'd better hope you have axemen!

FYI, the uprising event can generate any type of barbs appropriate for the time period. For example, I had four barb Horse Archers spawn outside my border .

 

[Arlborn]

But if I'm still relying on archers to stop barb axemen, that means I didn't find copper, horses or iron. In other words, a lost game.

That is so not true. Ah well, it is your opinion.

 

[mrt144]

1. worker/workboat
2. barracks
3. first military unit that I can build that is better than warrior
4. worker/workboat
5. second military unit
6. worker
7. settler

i also work my tiles in a very micromanaging way when I start out. that way I can switch off production and grow the city if i havent found a valuable building/military resource (iron, copper, horses).

playing on noble, marathon, huge allows me to do this because you arent attacked right away, but you cant just sit around lollygagging forever.

 

[.Shane.]

I typically find that there's not much for a worker to do off the bat, so I tend to go for a worker 2nd or 3rd.

1. Scout/Warrior
2. If I'm working on BW and pop is at least 2, worker, else Scout/Warrior
3. Worker by now, if not sooner. Slave him if close to next population level

 

[nbcman]

If I have a resource that my worker/workboat can immediately improve or I will have the tech that will allow the worker/workboat to improve, I start with:
1. Worker/Workboat
2. Warrior to size 2
3. Worker (possibly chop rushed if BW available)
4. Warrior to size 3
5. Settler (chop rushed-I definitely have BW by this time)