GOTM77 - Spoiler #2

[civ_steve]

GOTM 77 - second spoiler, The Middle Ages

Reading Requirements:

1. Must have contact with All remaining Civs.
2. Must be able to research an Industrial Age Technology.

Posting restrictions

1. No maps showing Industrial or Modern resources.
2. No discussion of Industrial Age (or later).
3. Absolutely NO Discussion of any other active 'X'OTM contest!

There's more civs on the 2nd continent, but they don't have a lot of space. How did you handle diplomacy with the 2nd continent? There is a galley crossing to the 2nd continent; did you make first contact, or did the AI come calling? And if so, did they cause any problems with your core? And have you been able to use your fast Riders to good effect?

 

[Lanzelot]

No one here yet??

Well, I didn't expect to post in the second spoiler either: after a strong start I expected the game to be over before reaching the industrial age, but it was not to be... All military campaigns dragged on longer than expected. The Indian campaign from 490BC to around 250AD. It was never a difficult war, but it just took its time to produce all the necessary units and overcome the stubborn resistence. I had one or two flips, but was always able to retake the city immediately.

After India was gone, I rushed the FP in Delhi using an MGL that had emerged sometime in the fighting. I did not dare to rush it immediately, as I did not want to risk loosing the FP in case Delhi flipped back. Does anyone have experiences with this? Can a city, that has build the FP, culture-flip back to its original nation?

Anyway, I rushed a couple of settlers, to set up a perfect RCP3 around Delhi, and then my second core went productive around 350 AD. I spent a couple of turns consolidation, upgrading Horses to Riders and producing 10 Galleys and then started the Persian campaign around 500AD.

This looked like easy going at first. My intelligence had told me that no one except the Celts had hooked up salpeter. The Pikes were no match for my Riders, and I took three size 12 cities in the first two turns (including 4 great wonders). The Great Library of Persepolis immediately catapulted me into the industrial age (unfortunately without Military Tradition). I had stopped my own research after Chivalry, expecting that this time I wouldn't need anything else to finish the game... My Riders would slice through Persia, France and Mongolia, and that would be enough for domination...

But the next turn I was apruptly woken up from my sweet dream: Riflemen everywhere!! One of Celtia, Persia or France must have invented Nationalism and traded it around to the other two. Mongolia fortunately was still a bit backward. I tried to continue with Riders for one turn, but the losses were too higher, so I was forced to make peace and research Military Tradition. That took 4 turns and 2 more turns for upgrading my remaining Riders. In that time all cities except Persepolis flipped back to Persia, so I had to start at the beginning again... Lesson learned: when I take on France, I will raze&rebuild... But I didn't want to forego all those nice wonders, especially Smith's Trading Company!

When I resumed the campaign, progress was still very slow. High losses (once a simple conscript Rifleman killed four veteran Cavalry!) and frequent culture flips made this war a nightmare, and it took until after 900AD before Persia was finally worn down.

The final phase will now take place in the industrial age, so I will sum it up in the final spoiler. At the moment I think: after a strong opening I somehow misplayed the middle game. Let's see how the ending is going to turn out!

Lanzelot

 

[ignas]

Republic researched and MA entered in 800 BC.

Republic established in 710 BC. In 670 BC start war vs Indians (at this moment i have 12 swordsmen and 6 horsemen but more horses are being built or rushed every turn). War goes well and Indian capital Delhi is capured in 450 BC. End war in 370 BC because of war wearrines leaving Indians with 3 towns.

In 410 BC get first leader and rush palace in Delhi. In 390 BC have RCP at 5 around Delhi and RCP at 3 and 5 around FP city (Forbidden Palace was built in 950 BC 3 tiles away from original capital).

Goal was to get Chivalry ASAP for building riders and Golden Age. Researched Monotheism and traded for Feudalism, then Chivalry at max which was learned in 430 BC. GA entered in 410BC.

After Chivalry is learned turn off research and use horse->rider upgrade via connecting/disconnecting iron.

In 210 BC start on Persia with the help of Celts. Everything goes well as I produced HUGE amount of riders. I think in 10 AD I had 70+ Riders.

Few nasty ROP rapes and in 210 AD trigger domination victory, Jason score a bit over 12000.

Razed no AI cities I captured. Although I had non existent culture (2 libs built to learn chivalry faster, Forbidden Palaca, Palace) suffered just 2 flips.
Rider is an awesome fast moving unit, almost as good as cavalry.

 

[I. Larkin]

At 775 BC new government was established, Barbarians done in first approximation,
3 Techs was trade to Republic from France and Monotheism at Sci 70% with 38 gpt deficit begins.
The Persians picked Feudalism.

At 730 BC Celts demand Republic and declare. With 3 Lux and 2 happy war it was possible to stay 0% Lux, but negative 71 gpt income force to find some finances. Both, France and India could give 18 for 1 gpt, but they also run out of money. At the same time Persia paid good gpt for MA vs Celts and peace treaty, so I took this deal with 10% lux. France agreed to go for war just for 3 gpt and the rest of the game was like “world vs Gaelic swordsmen”. The only my success at long period was occupation of small Celtic Island, I destroy 1 City there and them Celts send 1 by 1 few settlers that my swords also turned to 2 workers each. Since Persia constantly stays at war X man did not build up any cultures, had poor road network. Iron was not connected and Jungle at France – Persia - Celts border was bloody fight of Persias archers.
At 550 BC Monotheism come that gives some Money from France and Persia.
Celts brings Mongols to MA vs France at 490 BC and, as a result France stays with 3 Cities only. To help my friends I protect their Iron, and Celts swords did not have any chase vs Paris Pickmen. It was several IBT fun to observe this fights, note that Paris on Hill with river around… Result of this help gives first Leader at 390 BC, that was used for FP at East Conner. (At that time I thought that Persia will be my soon and Percipolis with Colosus will mean something&#8230, Forgot to say, that War with India (I declare) starts at 430 BC and Chivalry come at 410 BC. Since then it was single scientist research for engeneering. India was almost done at 190 BC, 2 Leaders produced TGL and HG… After that Army switch to Mongols to get Lighthouse… It took longer, then I thought, Karakarum captured at 30 AD , and Mongols was over at 90 AD. Probably better to deal with Xerks, but he paid gpt and help with Celts… Mongol’s end automatically switch me to war vs France, also it causes lost of RoP reputation. It took 3 turns to finish France and some time to deal with Celts. Fortunately they got feudalism thts ends up terrible GS. Near Celt’s end massive troops landed near Persipolis. It takes 2 turns to capture it with 10 Riders, so walls have a huge effects. But after things was over easily.
Conquest was at 320 AD.
Software Version: PtW 1.27f for Windows
Entry class: Predator
Game status: Conquest Victory for China
Game date: 330 AD
Firaxis score: 11881
Jason score: 11829
Time played: 43:14:59