Grigor, I agree. I finished last night, my typical last minute with a couple more turns would add to the picture finish. I ended in the 1900s, so no prize to me, faced off vs Carthage -- we both had all the techs (they finally stole Theology from me) and significant war chests (both over $20K). First advanced battle Ive had in a looooong time. Made my first carrier ever.
I changed to Democracy in 1871 (Republic was fine for the most part) and went Fundy in 1899. Exercised some new tactics -- My purchase of expensive Viking cities was predicated by the fact that Carthage (my primary customer for goods & services) declared war just as I was moving many trucks in their direction (only delivering a few per turn to maintain a stream of future techs). Since my commodities were en prise, I decided to cash them in rather than pull them back, so I went on a spending spree for Viking cities. Spent $13K for 5 Viking cities, and the following turn, took two cities, and bought 8 more (for about $1K each), but at the same time, delivered freight to the tune of $1.5K per truck, say $6-7K per turn so the Viking effort was cheaper with purchase (cost to rush build a truck for delivery was less than two or three howies, even with their reuse).
Since most of my military force was in Europe at the time, I wanted to go for the Spanish cities in Africa before the push on Carthage. In 1908, Spain had 18 cities, Carthage had 19 cities, & Russia had 78 cities. Spent a turn or two moving forces to Africa & baited Spain with little effort (they contacted me for a free tech, I said no, alliance over. A purchased city & demand for tribute later and were at war.) Picked up a couple of Spanish cities a year for a couple of years, then arrived in force -- in one turn we took 3 and bought 7 more after the capital fell. A few turns to travel to the fringes picked up the rest.
The invasion of Fortress America (yes I play that game as well from time to time) began ahead of schedule. While the Spanish adventure was underway, we received a diplomatic message that Carthage had started the last Wonder -- the Manhattan Project, followed immediately by a message that they were almost finished with it. Luckily for us, the effort was contained in only one city, and further, it was an accessible city on the Florida gulf coast -- only a bit away from our new city, Havana. One boat of Howies, Tanks and Jeeps later, the city was ours (with $2.4K to boot) and thanks to the UN in their hands, were at a cease-fire. Hmmmm we have a new target in the near future.
Unfortunately, we fumble our next chance -- We demand tribute, get war, take Tingus & get a cease-fire. Oops. Next turn, Carthage begins Manhattan again -- this time we do it better (more forces are ashore ) and we drop the flag in 4 cities before entry is pushed into the first -- four cities conquered and a dozen Wonders of the World exchange hands. (The UN was the first city, natch.) Huh? Our rep improved from Questionable to Excellent??! Maybe there is some sort of immediate effect for Eiffel Tower (not that we care too much). And with the UN, we decide to exploit it (since we have a number of Howies en prise -- another CF is in place (our doing).
Carthage starts Manhatten again, (we move our guns to heal), theyre almost finished (we dont care, our guns are now ready), and they sneak attack (were soooo surprised!). They have 13 cities. My next turn, we take 11 of those and buy a twelfth. Time to say thanks Duke & mail the game away.
