Gross isolation games

[sampsa]

T82

Spoiler :

Got GLH this turn, probably a few turns later as I should've (1-pop whipped at size 4). Turning tech on now or waiting for copper-city, straight to optics (no alpha, math, monarchy etc). Running scientists in cap and pig. Should be relatively smooth win from here.

Switched to slavery and whipped libraries (no granaries), not sure if that was necessary. Maybe should just chop to fail Mids even with 1:1 ratio. Don't really have a good spot to fail Colossus, but I'll try.

 

[Tecumseh1]

Oh wow I like how you can declare a smooth win at turn 82. Seems disciplined tech path is most important here and GLH is very powerful which I probably underrate since AI goes merc later on. But it definitely helps a lot early and if astronomy is early enough. Got some new perspective on city placement but less critical than teching detours which slowed me down a lot.

 

[sampsa]

T115

Spoiler :

So there is access to an island which makes it even easier. Not typical to have 8 cities isolated, but at least I'm ORG. Working on Colossus failgold, have the GS (the 3rd will likely be a golden age a bit later). Just keep growing into unhappiness and slow build granaries, both will be useful later while close to nothing is useful right now. Probably 3-popping two settlers a bit before optics.

 

[sampsa]

astro

Spoiler :

10 cities with GLH, 450AD astro. The rest is very easy. Even the barb city will flip in a few turns. Probably should whip a worker or two.

edit: save is BUFFY

 

[antimony]

My T82 for contrast

Spoiler :

T77 GLH. Made a 1 turn mistake by revolting to Slavery even though I haven't whipped yet (chopped libraries instead) and could have waited for double switch.

I'm happy about my 4 fogbusting warriors though, got the whole island under control facing only 2 enemy warriors (but that was also good RNG with no archers).

 

[sampsa]

T160 (1000AD)

Spoiler :

Running away with the game. Just started the GA to switch to confu, bureau+caste+paci. Getting some GMs for treb->cannon upgrade. After chem go liberalism which is not threatened by anyone. Cannons+oromos should be easily enough to capitulate everyone.

Unlikely to finish. If you are interested in earlier details check the autosaves.

 

[Tecumseh1]

astro

Spoiler :

10 cities with GLH, 450AD astro. The rest is very easy. Even the barb city will flip in a few turns. Probably should whip a worker or two.

View attachment 699360

edit: save is BUFFY

Took a look at the save. You got alpha really late after optics. How do you find enough useful stuff to build? I'm finding it a struggle on isolation without ability to build research I have to build some useless stuff. But also seems you barely whipped and didn't whip any buildings? Otherwise not sure how you put the hammers into. I guess you mentioned Colosses gold?

 

[sampsa]

I'm finding it a struggle on isolation without ability to build research I have to build some useless stuff. But also seems you barely whipped and didn't whip any buildings?

You are correct, most buildings don't do much when isolated. Even granary does close to nothing when you don't want to whip anything and have a low -cap. You need to maximize ! Mines are horrible because you have no use for (beyond fail gold).

I slow built granaries, barracks if nothing to do. The most important thing is to work max amount of tiles at all times. Whipping means you are not doing that.

 

[antimony]

T115

Spoiler :

6 cities, ended up being health capped (no Agri resources makes a difference here), which limited chopping and should have made me settle for sheep / crab earlier. My commerce per turn is a bit higher than @sampsa's checkpoint, but still haven't caught up from the Monarchy detour. Not sure how much of that is due to not settling on plains hill, the extra turn of anarchy I mentioned before, as well as missing the offshore island that must be pretty good with GLH.

Astro - T137

Spoiler :

Main issue with my plan though is that I did not start the scientists early enough, and despite T127 optics and having all prereqs on T131, I had to wait 6 more turns to bulb Astro (T137 below).

My playthrough in NC 348 (https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/nobles-club-348-roosevelt-of-america.688082/page-3) with a different leader and strategy also ended with around T130 Astro, and Steel not long after 1000 AD (couldn't win the ensuring war on deity but should be much more manageable on immortal). It helps to know the approximate timing of Optics in a "typical" (not overly generous) iso start so you can plan backwards from that target date for the great people generation, or to figure out if certain techs / wonders are worth it.

 

[sampsa]

It seems like there is no big difference either way, but honestly looking at your astro screenshot it feels like going monarchy is a bit better. Should be ~1400AD win anyway.

 

[antimony]

I think so, but now after spending 500+ beakers, maybe around 150 production on warriors and 10 gold maintenance per turn on them, I wonder if Pyramids was a viable option, maybe with math chops?

 

[Tecumseh1]

@antimony @sampsa do either of you have any screen recordings of your play? I would like to study them!

 

[sampsa]

Nope, but you can go through the autosaves I posted turn by turn to get an idea of what was done.

 

[Tecumseh1]

Back to my favorite topic. Drew this isolation map with de Gaulle. I waited a long time to get my 3rd city because it required a monument. Got the GLH and lost the pyramids but got 350 gold out of it. So expansion feels slow but I'm trying to beeline optics on this map. Also not sure what do with GLH merchant. I decided to settle him and allow myself to research longer. I wasn't ready for a golden age yet and hoping settling has some compounding benefits (what can you do for me NOW!). Just got the Colosses as well at 1AD which should help a bit.

Sharing the worldbuilder saves for 4000 BC and 1 AD. My play is far from optimal I'm sure. Play along if you like!

 

[sampsa]

I can try the map in a few days.

 

[sampsa]

~T75

Spoiler :

I think you should just found the 3rd asap, even if you need to work a weak tile it's still not costing you anything really and it can pump out warriors. Or work the coast and it even gains some .

You can see the island in the north immediately upon settling so I think GLH is an absolute no-brainer. Mids maybe, but CHA already gives some . Had two fog busters in the south, but maybe I placed them a bit late. Got unlucky and lost both fights (at 89% and 70%) which led to some barb trouble.

Having the 2nd island in the north is great and you should settle these asap. I went with one worker and minimal chops but could make a case for 2nd worker and chopping all quickly. I think if you can reach a position like this the game is not very hard.

On : you should try to get out a GS or two before the GM, for astro bulbs. That GM will be valuable later, but if you get it out first I guess you need to settle which is underwhelming.

 

[Tecumseh1]

Thanks for playing! I'm going to replay this map. Two things I didn't have a feel for were 1) when to settle future cities and 2) how far to fogbust to the south. Looks like you didn't fogbust too far

 

[sampsa]

I think you can try to fog bust more, but not sure how useful it is? You can't fog bust the entire island anyway. I think just fog bust some, take some fights (probably you need to be ready to double warrior at least one spot) and eventually barb cities will start to spawn bust.

 

[sylvanllewelyn]

Oh wow I like how you can declare a smooth win at turn 82. Seems disciplined tech path is most important here and GLH is very powerful which I probably underrate since AI goes merc later on. But it definitely helps a lot early and if astronomy is early enough. Got some new perspective on city placement but less critical than teching detours which slowed me down a lot.

I might have built the Colossus. I am hesitant about The Great Lighthouse because I don't need sailing and masonry early.

 

[sampsa]

I might have built the Colossus. I am hesitant about The Great Lighthouse because I don't need sailing and masonry early.

Interesting. GLH is just so much earlier and the immediate pay is great. Why can't you get both?