Having trouble expanding early game

[futurehermit]

on topic: i started a game last night with gandhi. had a bunch of forests in my capital. started worker-worker-settler-settler-worker. everything except the first and last worker was chopped out. had 3 cities being developed very early and added a fourth as soon as the capital grew to size 4 so i could whip the settler.

it put me in strong position. i had a short war on hannibal to nab one city and raze 2 (too far from capital). then i settled down to settle my chunk of the landmass (i think i counted around a dozen cities). then i am going to finish hannibal with cav, which should give me around 15-20 cities. i'm friendly with louis and pleased with whoever the other guy is on the island (i forget atm). i've been running pure FE/SE. planning on transitioning to cottage spam after the war.

 

[DragonHawk]

What I usually do:
-build: warrior/scout -> worker -> warrior/settler(chopd) -> barrack/warrior -> best millitary unit (granary somewhere) -> library
-2nd city found by copper/horse -> create best unit
-tech (Depend on resources around+leader): farm/mining/bw(either 1st or 2nd) -> AH (if need horse) -> (wheel) -> pottery -> writing -> Alphabet -> trade/extort the rest
- scout/warrior identify target (non protective)
- Have 5 axe/chariot (whip/chop as necessary) capture AI city (either closest to you or capitol)
- Reinforcement/rest (1 medic1 unit is a must!)
- Capture capitol
- Peace
- Buildings as necessary, repair econ, get cats
- prepare to finish off target or acquire new one
- repeat

After capturing 1st AI's capitol, I usually have 3-4 cities total, but 2 are guaranteed great sites (my own and former capitol).

Admitedly, I would be screwed royally if I do not have either copper/horse within 6/7 tiles from my capitol, but that has not happened yet.

I play huge, 16 civs continents so its a bit crowded and less barb around. But when they arrive they are strong (i.e. having killed the other civs' scouts/warriors)

 

[frob2900]

worker-worker-settler-settler-worker. everything except the first and last worker was chopped out.

Add some settler-escort warriors to that, and intermittant whipping with the chopping and that is pretty much my favorite opening

Tech research to go with this is BW+worker techs+mysticism(if BFC pop is needed).

Anyone one else doing this: When is your axestack ready to go? I generally get mine between 1000 BC - 500 BC (mostly around ca 600 BC)