Ribannah
Fighter Druid
The game is played on the northern hemisphere, so the chance of finding jungle north of a sizeable patch of grassland is slim.
Gotm18-Celts - Pregame Discussion
- Thread starter cracker
- Start date
Hmmm. I'll either go straight for the Pyramids in my second or third city, after a temple, if I get enough room, or take it from someone as the others are hoping. 
The Great Library is nice, but not as big a deal on Monarch as it runs out much faster than you'd expect. I'd also put a high priority on acquiring or building Sistine, to enhance the cheap cathedrals.
Unless I end up forced to choose between horses and iron, I'll probably go with horsemen or knights early on to avoid triggering the GA. Remember, you can always build your UU until you have your GA, which means that if I need to trigger it and can't get the wonders, any wandering settler/spear pair in my territory will receive a warm reception.
Of course, cracker's nefarious map design could cause this plan to go out the window if I see an AI early on that I need to eliminate... although it wouldn't be historically accurate, being hemmed up to say, Carthage, or Greece, would be awful.
I'm almost tempted to experiment with Charis's 'opportunistic archer' gambit, as we get Warrior Code for free, and go on a rampage. :flamedevi
The Great Library is nice, but not as big a deal on Monarch as it runs out much faster than you'd expect. I'd also put a high priority on acquiring or building Sistine, to enhance the cheap cathedrals.Unless I end up forced to choose between horses and iron, I'll probably go with horsemen or knights early on to avoid triggering the GA. Remember, you can always build your UU until you have your GA, which means that if I need to trigger it and can't get the wonders, any wandering settler/spear pair in my territory will receive a warm reception.
Of course, cracker's nefarious map design could cause this plan to go out the window if I see an AI early on that I need to eliminate... although it wouldn't be historically accurate, being hemmed up to say, Carthage, or Greece, would be awful. I'm almost tempted to experiment with Charis's 'opportunistic archer' gambit, as we get Warrior Code for free, and go on a rampage. :flamedevi
I'm thinking of doing something completely different than I have before (or have seen done yet).
I'm thinking of waxing every scout I come across. If I concentrate on some defensive units, I should be able to fend off early retribution attacks from the expansionists, without them having writing they won't have embassies (and can't sign military alliances), in doing I will slow the tech rate by discouraging goody-hut pops by the AI and the AI establishing communications with far away civs, and I probably would be looking to take out a foe early to gain an upper hand.
I'm thinking of waxing every scout I come across. If I concentrate on some defensive units, I should be able to fend off early retribution attacks from the expansionists, without them having writing they won't have embassies (and can't sign military alliances), in doing I will slow the tech rate by discouraging goody-hut pops by the AI and the AI establishing communications with far away civs, and I probably would be looking to take out a foe early to gain an upper hand.
I've never tried a culture win before. With a religious civ and cheap temples, how early could your get a 20k culture win without pyramids, but with some other early wonder? Can you do it before the AI gets a spaceship win or diplomatic victory?
drewshark
Proud Father
I think one key fact to remember is that our UU this month, the GS, will be devestating in the mid to late ancient ages, and still effective until Cavalry. I truly believe that anyone who waits for knights and cavalry to finish cleaning up will finish way behind those that get to it early. The key, as Sir Plep points out, is to slow the tech race down if you are going for a non space victory and use these devestating units to their full advantage. The only thing, I personally worry about is the wasted GA in despotism. However, the upper hand that could be attained in the ancient ages may outweigh a golden age in Monarchy is enough gold can be amassed. I would expect to see some quick domination/cultural finishes in this one due to the UU and the many Great Leaders which could potentially be produced from anceint age war. The only question mark I can see throwing a monkey wrench in the equation are the barbs and a potential iron shortage for the celts.
I dunno about you guys, but I just started a game a week ago with the Japanese, who are also Militaristic/Religious, and I am finding it is a blast! I love that combo! Furthermore, I found that it was absolutely best for me to go to war (after becoming quasi-established) while still in the Ancient times, taking over another civ that started on my island (Archipelagos map). Anyway, I went to war 1 other time b/c there was another civ (3 total including me) on my island...but didn't do that one until I had the Samurai unit available and trounced them. Now, I have enough points in Territory alone to be the top dog. Granted, this is on Regent level, but there has been no contest! Anyway, this is my first time to go to war immediately and then ease off, and I really like the results, so I will try that in the GOTM. Any of the pros agree with this strategy? I found it was the best way to expand. (NOTE: I make peace on first contact until I am ready for the war, though, of course.)
Sam
Sam
I advise going for 80,000 or 2x as much, as that is a LOT easier to achieve--if your city with 19,999 culture points gets captured or nuked, your victory plans are over!
Anyway, regardless of how you go about it, I STRONGLY recommend making a bee-line for Great Library and building it right away. This gives 5 culture for awhile...then (provided you build it quickly enough) 10 culture when it is considered ancient (I THINK this is after 1000 years of existence, but I may be mistaken on that).
Sam
Anyway, regardless of how you go about it, I STRONGLY recommend making a bee-line for Great Library and building it right away. This gives 5 culture for awhile...then (provided you build it quickly enough) 10 culture when it is considered ancient (I THINK this is after 1000 years of existence, but I may be mistaken on that).
Sam
memeemeee
Chieftain
I cant get http://gotm.civfanatics.net/games/gotm18_celts.shtml to work. Im really looking forward to playing my first GOTM
also, i should note that im a mac user that is very happy to see the amout of trouble gone through starting in 17 to include us in your game. Thanks cracker :worshp:
ben
PS, it says:
Originally posted by Birdjaguar
No, it's not so hard as getting 4x20K -- it would be a total across your entire empire, for example 20 cities averaging 4000 each... Or 40 cities with 2K culture each... BTW thought it was 100K cp for the automatic win, though 2x nearest competitor might be more likely.
Singularity
Infinite Density
You may be on to something there Tex. Cattle raids of some sorts would suggest a struggle to get the cattle, either by raiding permanent barbaric encampments, or as you say within AI territory.
One question though. Is pangea one big continent? Or could it be straits seperating two or three equal landmasses?
One question though. Is pangea one big continent? Or could it be straits seperating two or three equal landmasses?
Bamspeedy
CheeseBob
Cracker has said in the past that he will make pangea maps be 'true' pangea maps, unlike the so-called pangea maps that the computer sometimes makes where it looks more like continents. I understand that as being just 1 continent.
I'm betting that we will probably have to expand in a similar direction as in the picture that Cracker posted showing the Celtic expansion (west and east basically). Cattle and good terrain will be to the east and west I'm guessing.
I'm betting that we will probably have to expand in a similar direction as in the picture that Cracker posted showing the Celtic expansion (west and east basically). Cattle and good terrain will be to the east and west I'm guessing.
RufRydyr
QSC Map Maker
I was planning to go for a diplo or culture win this game, but that was before realizing which civ we're playing as. I'm now considering conquest. That's what I'm good at. Building temples will push the borders out and help with that also. Last GOTM I went for conquest as usual and in retrospect that was the wrong way to go. The cheap barracks will come in handy. I still want to speed the tech race along. The stronger the units available the better for the human player. The AI just doesn't know how to use them effectively. I normally built a lot of arty, but I'm considering not building any and going for speed, speed, speed. The Great Pyramids was a waste on the last GOTM, but if this is a TRUE pangea it will be the single most powerful Wonder after the FP. I normally don't build a lot of courthouses and stuff like that, but I'm thinking if I stick with my new strategy of building the FP beside the Capital and move the Palace with Great Leaders to newly conquered area, that I might get some 2 or 3 shield cites left instead of 1 shield cities. That could have a big impact long-term. Also, I haven't palace jumped in a while because I get burned a while back, but since that fantastic thread on palace jumping a few weeks ago, maybe I'll try to palace jump instead of using GLs to move the palace. I didn't build a single army last game and don't plan to build any this time. Not unless I have nothing else to do with one. I'm also going to review Cracker's pages on the power start and really focus. I've been turning the governors off and winding up with riots, so I'm going to try to be more careful. I just get so excited in the beginning it's hard to slow down! In the last GOTM I lost a settler in a galley on turn 81. But even before then, I was sucking. I had only 5 cities at the end of the QSC. It was rather embarassing. Planning to rock you guys' world this time and take plenty of screenshots so you can see how it's done!!!
Yes, you do need to have 80 (or maybe it was upped to 100)K, but it's a LOT easier because libraries from all cities, temples, small wonders, large wonders, and everything else can be built at once. Also, if one city gets taken over, your victory plans are not ruined. If you have 19,999 points and your city gets nuked...well...tough luck.
Go for both goals at once, of course, but spread it out a bit between your cities. I know it SOUNDS harder, but trust me, it's a lot easier. You won't have 20K in wonders in 4 cities, but you will easily have 20K in wonders, cathedrals, small wonders, libraries, temples, etc., a lot of those being "old" (generating double culture).
The fact is it is a minimum of either 80K or 100K culture (I had won with 80K, but it may have changed since then in other patches, etc). However, you must have at least 2x as much culture as any other civ. For culture, plan on both victories, but don't put your eggs all in one basket--and don't be afraid to build wonders elsewhere...it's best that you get it before the computer!
Sam
Go for both goals at once, of course, but spread it out a bit between your cities. I know it SOUNDS harder, but trust me, it's a lot easier. You won't have 20K in wonders in 4 cities, but you will easily have 20K in wonders, cathedrals, small wonders, libraries, temples, etc., a lot of those being "old" (generating double culture).
The fact is it is a minimum of either 80K or 100K culture (I had won with 80K, but it may have changed since then in other patches, etc). However, you must have at least 2x as much culture as any other civ. For culture, plan on both victories, but don't put your eggs all in one basket--and don't be afraid to build wonders elsewhere...it's best that you get it before the computer!
Sam
Ribannah
Fighter Druid
I don't know about that. I had 17 cities on my starting island all profiting from my Kingsize Granary.
I only founded my sixth city in 1000BC, too, but caught up pretty quick after that.
However, next game's month will certainly be a lot different. Although looking at the starting position (west coast of the pangaea?) I might still be building plenty of habors.
OneFastWarrior
Asthma Hound Chihuahua
This will be my 2nd gotm. and I really have not been playing civ for too long, only about 30 games total in my life.
Anyway, I was thinking that the 2 bodies of water are both fresh water and that our settler is right in the middle of the continent.
also, the square 2 spots north, which people have said could be forest, I think that is probably true, However, since the barbs are going to be pretty evil I believe that that may be a barb camp
I will send my worker 1 to the west on the hill and check it out, But unless somethig good appears (that will be within my borders) then I am content with settling 1st city where I stand.
I played gotm16(did not submit) and gotm17(awful score) This one looks just as fun and challenging.
Great job Cracker!!
Anyway, I was thinking that the 2 bodies of water are both fresh water and that our settler is right in the middle of the continent.
also, the square 2 spots north, which people have said could be forest, I think that is probably true, However, since the barbs are going to be pretty evil I believe that that may be a barb camp
I will send my worker 1 to the west on the hill and check it out, But unless somethig good appears (that will be within my borders) then I am content with settling 1st city where I stand.
I played gotm16(did not submit) and gotm17(awful score) This one looks just as fun and challenging.
Great job Cracker!!
cracker
Gil Favor's Sidekick
To aid all you intrepid Celtic(Keltic) leaders in your pregame planning, here is a minimap view of your world as seen from the orbiting space platform of the Keltic Gods:
And just a reminder to any "laggards" who have not yet completed and submitted their current game, focus on that objective first and get Gotm17-Carthage submitted and on the record books before March 31st, on 2 1/2 days left to go.
Good luck to all of you in this month's game!
cracker
And just a reminder to any "laggards" who have not yet completed and submitted their current game, focus on that objective first and get Gotm17-Carthage submitted and on the record books before March 31st, on 2 1/2 days left to go.
Good luck to all of you in this month's game!
cracker
Xevious
1 Solvalou left
I took a shot at recreating the start position as mentioned earlier, but I was able to do a better job this morning and I can post a couple pics now. The first shot is just the start position as close as I could get with the fog covering. The one tile I couldn't get to look right is the piece of coast in the southeast corner. What follows are 2 pictures of the fog cleared, one showing the possibility of a lake and the other a possibility of a channel to the sea. I must say though, that after looking at the minimap cracker just posted that I'd be betting on a lake since this is pangea. (Unless he throws us another curve and its a few continents with land bridges which would technically still be a pangea.) Either way it's a moot point since the food in the water will answer the question before we decide what to do with the settler.
Please keep in mind, of course, that anything under the fog of war could be anything, although some things appear to be necessary to create a certain coastal outline. For instance, to get the narrow piece of coastal water in the northwest, I had to have a hill or mountain in the northern area to squeeze the land in tight. I used a hill N,3NW of the settler, but a hill 4NW of the settler works fine as well.
As for my thoughts on opening moves, I like the settler NW if the west water is a lake. If it's salty though, I might consider moving the worker sw to check on the salinity of the east water. If both are salt I will probably move my settler southwest for the harbor crossover. Although maybe better in that case would be settle in place and drop another city 2SW and have 2 harbors at the crossing point.
Please keep in mind, of course, that anything under the fog of war could be anything, although some things appear to be necessary to create a certain coastal outline. For instance, to get the narrow piece of coastal water in the northwest, I had to have a hill or mountain in the northern area to squeeze the land in tight. I used a hill N,3NW of the settler, but a hill 4NW of the settler works fine as well.
As for my thoughts on opening moves, I like the settler NW if the west water is a lake. If it's salty though, I might consider moving the worker sw to check on the salinity of the east water. If both are salt I will probably move my settler southwest for the harbor crossover. Although maybe better in that case would be settle in place and drop another city 2SW and have 2 harbors at the crossing point.
Immediate neighbors: Germans and vikings to the north, French to the west, Romans to the south, Russians to the east. Greeks, Spanish, Ottomans further afield and for flavor the Zulus and Americans.
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