PTW, Conquest class (my first GOTM)
Let's see here... so in 330 BC we plunged into anarchy after reaching the Middle Ages. In 250 BC we become a monarchy. I begin building marketplaces to increase cash flow and begin researching engineering.
We meet the Aztecs who are 6 techs behind
. We sell them some techs and even give them code of laws as a freebie. It's at this point that I really decide on my game goals. I've only tried a diplomatic victory on warlord level, so I'm going to try for it here. My plan is to trade, trade, trade and see how many other civs I can keep good relations with and for how long. And as soon as th UN becomes available I will go for it.
The Iroquois complete the Hanging Gardens, the English complete the Great Wall, and we make contact with Greece around 10 AD. Orleans switches to the Great Library, though I know we'll never finish it in time. I don't know why I'm even trying. All the games I've been playing lately I have been purposely NOT building wonders... trying to get over "wonder addiction". Well, I'm throwing that out the window this game and going for it.
In 30 AD we secure the horses on the SW tip of the island. I notice that some of the other civs have feudalism, engineering and monotheism. No point in me trying to research them now. I realize that I sold the Greeks and the Germans their last techs for reaching the MA's so they got a freebie each and probably traded them around. So I push the science slider down to make some money to buy tech and rush some city improvements.
Then, in 150 AD... Orleans completes the Great Library!!! I can't believe it. So our free techs start rolling in, and we start selling them to the civ's that don't have them yet. We get our first gold per turn deals and luxuries... from here on out, not a turn goes by when we aren't making gold per turn from other civs. The Aztecs are still way behind. I want them to be nice, but I don't want to catch them up completely. They have the most land and are the top spot in the histograph by a good margin. They're broke too, so I give them 100 gold and sell Feudalism to them for it.
I've never had much luck with Republic but I decide to try it. What usually kills me is the lack of unit support, but since we do have some minor unit support with GOTM rules I decide to go for it. I'm also not building much military at all; defensive units mostly, so I should be in good shape.
France becomes a Republic in 270 AD. Paris is pumping out workers like crazy now since we've no more room to expand and need to get all our tiles improved and ready for railroads later. Shaka demands 20 gold. Ok I thought we were friends but whatever. I give it to him and laugh as I'm making 100 per turn. We get Monotheism and Invention from the Library and start selling it around. The Iroquois and the English REALLY like this. I'm pretty sure they haven't made contact with the other civs yet. Actually I don't think they do until navigation or magnetism... so I'm in a good trading position.
Now the Aztecs get uppity. They demand Invention. I would have sold it if they asked nicely. I've been giving them stuff for free even. Not this time. I refuse and they declare war. I remain at war with the Aztecs almost continuously for the rest of the game, but in a diplomatic way only. I have no intention of invading them. Carthage surprises me. They are the richest of all of us, but they go to war with me for just 90 gold. They bring the Germans in as as well.
After getiing gunpowder in 430 AD and chivalry in 450 AD from the Library, I pump research back up to get Theology in 11 turns. We get chemistry from the library and notice the English have researched theology. So some more trades all around and we're making good money and have some nice luxuries coming in. Push science back to 0 for +220 gold per turn and begin work on the Sistine Chapel. I suddenly realize that this is the perfect time for a Golden Age! And what luck! We just happen to be at war. I load a couple musketeers into a galley and send em over to the Aztecs.
We research education in 590 AD and trade it around for lots of gold plus printing press and metallurgy. 620 AD: 2 musketeers land in aztec territory and are attacked by a swordsman. We enter our Golden AGE!
By 630 AD my land is nearly all improved so I join some of the workers to cities. With Navigation coming up in a few turns I decide to sell my communications with the other civ's. Sure enough, the Iroquois and the English never made contact with any of the others. Make peace with the Aztecs for 60 gold.
660 AD: we research astronomy and switch to music theory.
680 AD: Aztecs demand astronomy - we refuse- they declare war. Whatever, Monty. We pay Greece and Carthage for a military alliance against the Aztecs. They seem eager to jump in.
710 AD: Orleans completes the Sistine Chapel! I've been struggling with what to do about the forbidden Palace. My territory is so small I haven't been able to decide where to put it. Usually I try to build it early and jump my palace to an enemy city I've taken. So I begin building in Avignon, on the west coast of our little nation.
The German's complete Bach's Cathedral and Carthage gets the Observatory in 770AD. We research Democracy and trade around for gold, economic, and military tradition. Paris begin's building Smith's Trading Co. and Orleans is pre-building a palace.
Our Golden Age ends in 830 AD. It's timing helped immensely. We research Free Artistry in 850 AD and head towards physics. In 860 the Greeks and the Aztecs sign a peace treaty 4 turns before our alliance was to expire! From this point to the end of the game the other civ's break TONS of treaties with me. Hopefully this will help me in my diplomatic victory plans. In 900 AD Orleans switches to Shakespeare's theater, we research physics, the FP is complete in Avignon, and the Aztecs land 2 knights in our territory. Is that the best you can do Monty?
I think Alexander gave the Aztecs navigation in their peace deal. I make peace with the Aztecs and get navigation from the deal. And this buys me time to rush a couple cavalry to take on these knights.
In 940 AD we get Theory of Gravity. I'm tired of being beaten to the wonders, but I'm going to sell all of these techs around anyway to launch into the industrial age. I botch the job a little. I trade with Carthage last and should have traded with them first. They have magnetism and want a ridicluous amount for it. I decide to research it myself. Only four turns for it. I make some good deals with the others though, except the English. Is Liz always so cheap?! I'm selling TOG to these other guys for gold per turn and Liz just gives me 5 gold and a map. I sell anyway.
970 AD:I tell the Aztec knights to get out. They declare war. My cavalry pounds them. Silly Monty. I make an alliance with every other civ against the Aztecs. I know it's a bit overboard but I do it anyway. Everyone likes me... well except old Monty.
Paris switches to Newton's University which will be done in 1 turn. 6 turns to go on Shakespeare's in Orleans. In 980 AD we reach the Industrial Age. Going for Steam Power in 7 turns. Several cities pumping out workers now to get ready for railroads. And soon after... a major disappointment. But that's a tale for another spoiler.