LowtherCastle
Deity
- Joined
- May 18, 2005
- Messages
- 23,750
I remember someone - maybe it was LC talk about quick challenges from Civ 3. I don't know exactly what they are but the idea of running some faster games with non-standard objectives, maps, etc. appeals to me.
The Quick Start Challenge is included in CivIII GOTMs:As I recall, LC was talking about games that were played up to 0 AD or 1000 AD and whoever had the highest score at that point won.
The QSC seeks to compare players' performance as they reach 1000 BC, giving scope for contrasts between play styles to be highlighted, and for lessons to be learnt about early game development. To help with comparisons, we ask for a 1000 BC save file which we parse to extract useful data, and you should also submit a timeline in the relevant first spoiler thread for the game, describing your actions and decisions.
Originally, people kept and submitted a log of their first 80 turns. After the GOTM, if you found a game you were really interested in learning from, you could study how that person started the game. Here's an example of SirPleb's log from his GOTM19 game where he phenomenally completed EVERY victory condition on the final turn of the game!!! First his General Pre-game Strategy:
Spoiler :
Preliminary notes: We had some advance information about this map and a screenshot of the start position. My thinking in advance is that:
1) I'll move the worker NE to the hills to look around. If I don't see bonus food anywhere I'll settle in the start position.
2) I'll try for a multi victory milked game with a diplomatic win included. To do this I'd have to avoid taking many permanent AI attitude hits. This will mean:
a) Break no deals.
b) Raze no cities, not when asked and not by auto-razing.
c) Declare war a minimal number of times.
d) Pick one Civ who would be my "friend" and get that Civ down to one city without fighting them.
3) I'll use Gallic Swordsmen to the max. So:
a) I'll slow research as much as possible.
b) Use warrior upgrades heavily as well as building GS's.
1) I'll move the worker NE to the hills to look around. If I don't see bonus food anywhere I'll settle in the start position.
2) I'll try for a multi victory milked game with a diplomatic win included. To do this I'd have to avoid taking many permanent AI attitude hits. This will mean:
a) Break no deals.
b) Raze no cities, not when asked and not by auto-razing.
c) Declare war a minimal number of times.
d) Pick one Civ who would be my "friend" and get that Civ down to one city without fighting them.
3) I'll use Gallic Swordsmen to the max. So:
a) I'll slow research as much as possible.
b) Use warrior upgrades heavily as well as building GS's.
Spoiler :
4000, ... Research Bronze Working at zero rate. It sure looks like we'll want a granary but I'm going to hope to trade for Pottery instead of learning it. Or if lucky, pop it from a hut.
...
3400, Entremont produces warrior3. Set it to produce settler. It will finish the settler at the same date as it next grows (8 turns) if I don't change it to build granary before then. Should I do that if I learn pottery and get the choice? No, I think I should produce the settler in any case. My reasoning:
Soonest I can build granary is after Entremont's next growth. If I produce settler first then granary, soonest I can have granary is after Entremont's next 3 growths. So I'd lose 20 food by deferring the granary. But by producing settler first, he can begin working the fish at least 8 turns sooner than if I delay the settler for a granary first. Working the fish for 8 turns is 23 food gained. (1 will be lost due to overrun.) And I'll get some extra shields as well. So settler first it is!
And given that decision, I'll have the worker road first then mine. Better to prepare the road asap, mining first won't get the settler produced any faster.
...
3400, Entremont produces warrior3. Set it to produce settler. It will finish the settler at the same date as it next grows (8 turns) if I don't change it to build granary before then. Should I do that if I learn pottery and get the choice? No, I think I should produce the settler in any case. My reasoning:
Soonest I can build granary is after Entremont's next growth. If I produce settler first then granary, soonest I can have granary is after Entremont's next 3 growths. So I'd lose 20 food by deferring the granary. But by producing settler first, he can begin working the fish at least 8 turns sooner than if I delay the settler for a granary first. Working the fish for 8 turns is 23 food gained. (1 will be lost due to overrun.) And I'll get some extra shields as well. So settler first it is!
And given that decision, I'll have the worker road first then mine. Better to prepare the road asap, mining first won't get the settler produced any faster.