Hello, fairly new here

[silverwolf]

Hello again everyone. I joined shortly after Civ 4 came out and didn't have much time for the computer anymore due to work, ect. Now things have slacked up a bit and I find myself wanting to play!

From what I can see there are 2 expansions out now? Warlord and Beyond the Sword? Would I need these expansions to truly enjoy the game, by way of fixing bugs making the game more fun?

Also, how does one not feel so over whelmed playing this game. I find myself just clicking on what ever looks best in the way of units, buildings, ect. I guess I have not gotten to the point where you know, "Okay I don't need this structure but if I train in this one in a few turns Ill have X uber structure" There's just so much to keep track of!

Any help for a returning Civ player is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can give.

 

[IAM]

You don't need the expansions to enjoy the game. Warlords expounds upon stuff in CIV and BTS ads stuff like espionage so it's a new level of thinking. More stuff. You can download any patches needed. I enjoyed each one more than the last.

 

[CivAgamemnon]

Hello again everyone. I joined shortly after Civ 4 came out and didn't have much time for the computer anymore due to work, ect. Now things have slacked up a bit and I find myself wanting to play!

From what I can see there are 2 expansions out now? Warlord and Beyond the Sword? Would I need these expansions to truly enjoy the game, by way of fixing bugs making the game more fun?

Also, how does one not feel so over whelmed playing this game. I find myself just clicking on what ever looks best in the way of units, buildings, ect. I guess I have not gotten to the point where you know, "Okay I don't need this structure but if I train in this one in a few turns Ill have X uber structure" There's just so much to keep track of!

Any help for a returning Civ player is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can give.

1. Try playing the tutorial.
2. Read the War Academy (accessible from the front page) for tips on how to play.
3. Read the cIV strategy forums and ask questions. Most importantly, play, and observe results of your choices. It's a bit overwhelming, I know, , but start on the lowest level, settler, and work your way up, observing the results of your choices, as I stated.

Hope this helps! And IAM is right, you don't need the expansions to enjoy the game fully, they add content and gametweaks. The latest patch, 1.74 (for standard cIV) is available at the front page as well. Good luck!

 

[silverwolf]

Thanks everyone Ill check out what you suggested and play some games and just see what happens.

As for the expansions my thinking (although not stated in my first post) was mainly for online play. Those that do not have the expansion will not be able to play with those that do, right? Or can people still join just not control the civilizations new to the expansions?

Thanks again, Ill start reading right away!

 

[CivAgamemnon]

Thanks everyone Ill check out what you suggested and play some games and just see what happens.

As for the expansions my thinking (although not stated in my first post) was mainly for online play. Those that do not have the expansion will not be able to play with those that do, right? Or can people still join just not control the civilizations new to the expansions?

Thanks again, Ill start reading right away!

No, the expansions are not just for online play; they add many elements and civilizations to the game, and are very enjoyable in Single Player. You may wish to get them after you become familiar with Civilization vanilla (The basic game, which you have).

You would not be able to play with those that have the expansion pack unless you already have the same expansions and patches. You can, however, play multiplayer with anyone that has Vanilla (basic cIV) with the same patch number you have, since Vanilla is MP (Multiplayer) right out of the box.

Enjoy!

 

[Axel40]

Hi,
I'm in the same boat as you (pretty much) Your story echo's mine. Check my join date

What I've done is basically read everything here

Then buy the BTS expansion, although not vital yet.
It adds more to an already daunting game but for me Civ wasn't complete without it.

This is a really good thread for some basic tips http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=236235

I've been playing custom games on Warlord, I set up a Pangea map with 2 AI (enough for now, believe me.) I always attack them or try to instigate war as that's the way I like to learn.

I'm getting better but I still come here every day to read.

Also, you could get this PDF reference guide from this thread.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=236346

Absolutely awesome work by dj_anion

We'll get there in the end (I hope)

 

[IAM]

One more thought. Play a single player game and in the customize section put an AI on your team. You and the AI will play as a single civilization. For example you play as Washington and the AI runs Catherine on it's own. This allows you to watch everything the AI does while still giving you ultimate control. For instance the AI won't declare a war and you can let the AI select techs to research or you can pick.

Remember the AI is predictable and that is death but it will help you learn the game and see an AI civ from the inside.

 

[Sisiutil]

Regarding the expansion packs, the only Warlords elements missing from Beyond the Sword are the scenarios. If you play a lot of scenarios, therefore, you'll want both packs. If you don't like scenarios, skipping the purchase of Warlords is an option.

Then again, there's something to be said for gradually learning things. I progressed pretty much as the games were released. Going from vanilla and then having to learn all the new stuff from both Warlords and BtS might be a little bit overwhelmy.