Having problems with low level cultural victory.

[CrimsonEdge]

I've had access to my computer for a few days and I've been playing Civ 4 off and on for a few. I've been in the mood to win by making all the silly uncultured types envious of how cultural I am. I mean, if at all possible, I'd want to be the Fonz of culture.

So I started up a Marathon game on an easier difficulty. I forgot the leader, but it was the one with 50% faster wonders and financial. My match started off great. I expanded decently and founded three great early cities. One amazingly awesome GP farm as well as a financial power house. Here was my problem.

I was in no way in bad terms with any of the AI, infact, I was being the general nice guy when all of a sudden, I get attacked by 3 AI within a span of 4 turns. I didn't have the defense for this. I have no problems winning military, diplomatic, or space race victories on higher difficulties, but cultural seems a bit rough.

Every time I get to around 1200 BC, about 2 to 3 AI declare war on me.

Maybe it's my diplomatic policies when I'm going for a cultural victory, or maybe it's because the game knows that's what I'm going for and wants to stop me at all costs. Anyone have any pointers?

 

[curtadams]

Almost certainly your army is too small. When the AI attacks you for no apparent reason it's usually because they have a much larger army.

 

[CrimsonEdge]

Almost certainly your army is too small. When the AI attacks you for no apparent reason it's usually because they have a much larger army.

So how would one go about balancing military power along with culture? I usually have enough to stop atleast one of them, but it's never just one of them.

 

[Jarred Darque]

I am new to the game, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I would suggest getting up early a small..but decent..offensive force. When a country declares war on you, attack and annihilate one of their cities right off the bat, it may take two. They will be begging for peace and throwin in gold aplenty shortly after.

I am in a game where JC declared war on me, he was the most powerful country, I think I was about number 7 of 18. I hurried up and made some macemen and cats, took two of his cities, and he emptied his entire bank account to make peace.

With three of em on you though, your just gonna have to make peace with them one at a time, or if you can afford to, pay em off for the time being, build up military in the downtime, and be ready for the next round a few hundred years down the road when they declare war again.

 

[cabert]

a few things:
- cultural wins and marathon don't go well together
- cultural wins are easier when you're big and mean = 20 cities, 3 of those care about culture, 17 care about military/science/gold

 

[Wodan]

Actually, I'd suggest build exactly 9 cities to go for your cultural win.

3 cities care about nothing but producing culture.

6 cities have priorities, in this order:
-- build all temples
-- spread all religions internally to your whole empire
-- produce military and research about evenly

There are several good threads on how to do a good culture victory.

Also, I don't think the game speed affects a cultural victory negatively.

Wodan

 

[gdgrimm]

If you can do military victories, then you certainly know how to have a large enough army to prevent being wiped out by the AI. That's really the only military key to a cultural victory -- i.e. have an above average military size.

For cultural victory, you still need a strong military, but 2 things will change considerably:
1) You'll have far fewer (maybe 0) units with CR promotions. Any "attack" unit will be promoted to attack SOD's, destroy enemy units in the field, or to pillage. You don't need city attack units.
2) Build more defensive units than you normally would. This helps your military appear as strong as the one you would build for city taking, but requires far fewer resources.

And, of course, use diplomacy effectively. You should be able to keep nearby civs friendly, or at least be able to get the nearby enemies to attack somebody besides yourself.

 

[Andorim]

Diplomacy is also important. Pick your friends early in the game and stick with them whatever happens. You will probably have some enemies, but that isn't too big of a deal if you have a couple of realy good allies.

And like several other have said already -- you need to have enough military so that won't appear too tempting to aggressive neighbours.

 

[CrimsonEdge]

I think my biggest problem is getting used to balancing it out. I've never played a game that has more win conditions than killing everyone. I either go nearly full out war or full out culture. I should try and balance the two.

About how early should I have, say, 6 towns? Generally speaking I only get around 3 towns by 1800 BC. Is this not enough by then or is it just right and I'm not building enough military?

Thanks.

 

[cabert]

Actually, I'd suggest build exactly 9 cities to go for your cultural win.

3 cities care about nothing but producing culture.

6 cities have priorities, in this order:
-- build all temples
-- spread all religions internally to your whole empire
-- produce military and research about evenly

Right, this does work, but you get 7*9 temples faster out when building them in 20 cities than building them in 9
+ you get better results spreading religions to cities with only 1 or 2 religions in them = less missionaries to build if your empire is larger.

+ you can manage some science if 17 cities do a suboptimal specialist economy, while you get nowhere if 6 cities do a suboptimal thing (1/3 research rate isn't 0, but 30 turns to research a tech is bad, and 90 turns is so close to never you feel it just doesn't happen) .

There are several good threads on how to do a good culture victory.

right
Most are about fast victories.
I advocate easy victory (= less risk of failure).

Also, I don't think the game speed affects a cultural victory negatively.

that's just your opinion.
Look at the Hall of Fame, earliest (around 1000AD) cultural victory is in a quick game.
Coincidence? No way!
Marathon favours war. cultural victory requires peace (or large empire, see above).