First off, what great work by the GOTM leadership. The new units look terrific and the new scenario they present is a very thought provoking one.
My first thoughts on the starting location, is lots of food but not many shields. This may be the case for a couple of small cities, without granaries replacing a single 4-turn settler factory.
I think Ill move the worker SE to start and the scout W-W to see whats about. Ill probably settle my first city NE of starting tile. My initial goal will be to build a couple more scouts to get a quick understanding of the surrounding terrain and who my neighbors are. Trying hard to find as many huts as possible to push my minimally funded science. Ill probably go for The Wheel first as it should be the cheapest available tech. If I can get the Alphabet either through trade or hut, then Writing will be tech # 2. Between building settlers, Ill try for a barracks in each city followed by veteran archers for MP duty. My initial expansion goals will be on a north-south axis, hopefully finding a coastline to form a solid defensive rear position for my expansions. The exception to this will be in trying to claim horses and iron as soon as possible. My only AA Wonder target will be the Great Library. If I get it, Ill turn off science to build an upgrade bank account. If I find myself crowded for either space or resources, an early archer/horse based war is very possible. This should be the third game in a row with less than three naval units
Government wise, I see a get to monarchy and ride it a long way. With the despotism penalties gone, our starting point will probably produce settlers to the end of the game. An early FP near the core is a good probability, with a GL induced capital move happening to create the second core. This is probably not an RCP game.
My probable war strategy, will be to raze opponents smaller cities to remove the culture flip possibilities and to increase the slave population Ill need to connect my soon to be vast empire. Once the satellite cites are gone encircle the core and quickly reduce its production capabilities and take away one large city at time until the are gone, then move on to the next target. Ill try to stay on honorable footing with the other AI and maybe enlist an ally or to reduce their science pace. Depending on the layout, it might be possible to remove an AI or two before they meet anyone else.
For my attack plans, probably use 2/3 Turghaut Cavalry for stack protection and 6/8 Ordu Archers bombarding to soften up the target, followed by either Korchin or Bagatur attacks to complete the conquest.
Of course, we could end up on a 12 x 12 island with no iron or horses, then it all changes!!! Somebody (besides Cracker), will know in about 8 hours.
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