Help beating emperor

[Gumbolt]

If you're planning an elepult war, stop building infrastructure and focus on units because as soon as Joao gets Engineering, it's going to take forever to bring down the defenses. Make sure that if you choose this path to bring enough catapults, he has Longbows.
Personally, I don't think your production is that great since you have a lot of cottages and not the right techs to make them powerful yet, so I wouldn't go down that road just yet. Not to say that you can't take him out this way but I don't like fair fights

My Sury game showed just how weak phants are vs pikemen. That being said catapults/ trebs should be able to weaken these units before an assault. Just leave a strong axe/mace to defend stack.

 

[mjg5591]

Played 'til 1450AD.

AC declared on Joao before I could this round. I was building up cats and phants.

1140AD I just got my troops in position to attack Joao next turn when AC asks to join in. I accept for the diplo bonus.

1150AD First to LIB. I forgot to stop 1 turn before completion. AC request distracted me i guess. I took nationalism. Started Teching GP.

1180AD Capture Evora.

1190AD Capture Baraga.

1240AD I make few trades. paper and music to HC for Guilds. Paper and music to AC for ENG. AT some point i used a GS to bulb most of PP. I did this because my bpt is not great and looking for more trade pieces done the line.

1255AD Peace with Joao. I got gold and gpt. Needed to send reinforcements and heal troops.

1290AD I settle Chicago. Fur and fish city.

1300AD Hindu finally spreads and I switch to hindu.

1310AD I switch to Buro and pacism. Pacism not realizing Washington didn't have hindu spread there yet. So this was mistake.

1320AD I redeclare on Joao. Made no difference next turn AP vote made HC declare on Joao aswell.

1330AD I trade education to AC as HC learned it. I was afraid he would trade so I did first. Education for 430 gold, compass, and banking. GS aslo pops and I bulb part of SM.

1340AD Capture Oporoto. GG pops settle in Barcelona.

1370AD Capture Lisbon. Nice city. 5 settled GG's and AW and SP. Also going to make this GT city.

1390AD Capture Lagos. Also this turn Joao capitulates to AC.

1440AD HC declares on AC. No idea why except maybe he hates Joao that much.

I stopped here for some advice going forward. No doubt I'll get asked to join the war and I am friendly with both.

Also forgot to mention I met Zara at some point and made few backfill trades with him. Also since he traded me his map I notice England is last civ. Think it's Liz due to GS popping.

I just got done teching steel. Started on MT. Wanted to cav war with either HC or AC but they both have RP already.

I haven't got OU up yet due to war but my last University is being built in 5 turns I think.

VC can go few ways. Culture still option, but I rarely win that way and find somewhat boring. Dom or conquest maybe. Maybe even diplo. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Also Joao got some of my workers during war. Me being lazy. So have 5 in build orders in different cities.

Again any tips or suggestions would be apprieciated. Also trade suggestions welcome. This point in game on monarch I usually stop trading. I'm usually ahead at this point on monarch.

Screenshots.

Save

 

[kossin]

Some pointers...

You have a lot of surplus, but not much surplus. You're still at 7 workers so crank out a few and put up some farms/windmills (after RP).

I know you were in Caste for GS's, but still not having Oxford by 1450AD is killing you and the reason why the AI will have rifling soon making any soon war a very costly one.

You can still use binary research at this point in the game, sometimes getting a tech 1 turn sooner is the difference between trading it around for 3 more techs or getting nothing at all.

Civics need to change, you're the only person besides Joao not in Mercantilism. Theocracy also isn't great when you're building mostly infrastructure. It does give you a favorite civic bonus with Zara though, but your religion is going to piss him off. Maybe consider Free Religion?

You can save some gold by deleting obsolete units that aren't useful anymore.

I would head to Democracy for Emancipation/US, you have quite a few towns, several villages and a lot of growing hamlets/cottages. With 13 cities, you have enough to win space if you want an easy end. Or rush buy an army and take over the world.

Don't forget to trade techs here and there.

 

[mjg5591]

Some pointers...

You have a lot of surplus, but not much surplus. You're still at 7 workers so crank out a few and put up some farms/windmills (after RP).

I know you were in Caste for GS's, but still not having Oxford by 1450AD is killing you and the reason why the AI will have rifling soon making any soon war a very costly one.

You can still use binary research at this point in the game, sometimes getting a tech 1 turn sooner is the difference between trading it around for 3 more techs or getting nothing at all.

Civics need to change, you're the only person besides Joao not in Mercantilism. Theocracy also isn't great when you're building mostly infrastructure. It does give you a favorite civic bonus with Zara though, but your religion is going to piss him off. Maybe consider Free Religion?

You can save some gold by deleting obsolete units that aren't useful anymore.

I would head to Democracy for Emancipation/US, you have quite a few towns, several villages and a lot of growing hamlets/cottages. With 13 cities, you have enough to win space if you want an easy end. Or rush buy an army and take over the world.

Don't forget to trade techs here and there.

Thanks for the pointers Kossin.

About going free religion. If I do this I lose friendly status with AC and HC. Is going free religion still good idea?

Thanks for the tech tips. I didn't know what to research at the time. I decided on MT to go for currassirs and cav's, but then realized other ci's are 1 tech away from rifling. I will take you tech path. I plan on playing tonight. I'm either going to play this first or vote on the EC game.

About rush buying, I have never rush bought an army before. Any pointer's in this department or a link? I lurk reading forum games talking about the kremlin for rush buying. But have never done so.

Off topic question. Are you in any SG games at emperor? I would like to get into a SG game. I think this would help me out alot. I know your an Immortal player, but that's way beyond my play level.

Thanks again

Mike

 

[Silu]

You need to go meet England ASAP. Also take OB with ZY.

For trades, I'd start trading the now monopoly-useless Lib and Nat to ZY for Astro+cash and to AC for Econo+RP+cash (idiot HC is only Cautious towards him so no worst enemy crap even though they're at war ).

Comfortable amount of land and your 2 biggest rivals are locked at war with equal power - a position like this is usually very easily convertable to a big lead by going for vertical growth through stopping military buildup and going Democracy (with your improvements). I'd forget about military techs and go for Const->Demo->Corpo->SP->AL, with Rifling somewhere in between if you feel insecure.

I wouldn't change away from Hindu. Both your neighbors declare at Pleased and you don't really need to fear intercontinental invasions. By locking your mates to Friendly you're basically invulnerable. Anyway you badly need to spread Hindu around to all of your cities if you want to stay in it.

Too bad you don't have a GA in the horizon, a massive civic switch is imminent, to US/FS/Emanci/FM/OR most likely. You could already change to FM/FS(/OR) if you want since you're at the cutoff point for FS to be viable (31 from bureu, 30 from FS Towns + you could use the culture to cement your holdings).

I don't agree with the need for more Workers, IMO the improvements are good. Then again I'm a cottage lover who also neglects worker #.

Usual musings: Oxford should be a #1 priority ASAP. Unhooked resources, including a singleton Deer.

EDIT: Were you in Mercantilism? Then deffo FM/FS(/OR) ASAP.

 

[mjg5591]

You need to go meet England ASAP. Also take OB with ZY.

For trades, I'd start trading the now monopoly-useless Lib and Nat to ZY for Astro+cash and to AC for Econo+RP+cash (idiot HC is only Cautious towards him so no worst enemy crap even though they're at war ).

Comfortable amount of land and your 2 biggest rivals are locked at war with equal power - a position like this is usually very easily convertable to a big lead by going for vertical growth through stopping military buildup and going Democracy (with your improvements). I'd forget about military techs and go for Const->Demo->Corpo->SP->AL, with Rifling somewhere in between if you feel insecure.

I wouldn't change away from Hindu. Both your neighbors declare at Pleased and you don't really need to fear intercontinental invasions. By locking your mates to Friendly you're basically invulnerable. Anyway you badly need to spread Hindu around to all of your cities if you want to stay in it.

Too bad you don't have a GA in the horizon, a massive civic switch is imminent, to US/FS/Emanci/FM/OR most likely. You could already change to FM/FS(/OR) if you want since you're at the cutoff point for FS to be viable (31 from bureu, 30 from FS Towns + you could use the culture to cement your holdings).

I don't agree with the need for more Workers, IMO the improvements are good. Then again I'm a cottage lover who also neglects worker #.

Usual musings: Oxford should be a #1 priority ASAP. Unhooked resources, including a singleton Deer.

EDIT: Were you in Mercantilism? Then deffo FM/FS(/OR) ASAP.

I just finished the game and doing writeup.

I didn't open borders with Zara because I didn't have astro. As far as I know you need astro to open trade routes with civ's on another continent. I could be wrong here. Please let me know if I am.

I also made a bunch of trades. I also switched to constitution to go towards democracy.

I switched civic's when demo came in. I went US/FS/EM/FM/Theo. I stayed in theo to build up some troops. Which when see writeup didn't pan out.

I also stayed Hindu to keep neighbor's friendly.

Oxford was really late. With the rush and warring with Joao, I just got it out late. I also was in CS whole time. I should have switched to slavery to whip them out. As for the deer, just plain overlooked. Good catch. BTW I never got him hooked up.

 

[Silu]

I didn't open borders with Zara because I didn't have astro. As far as I know you need astro to open trade routes with civ's on another continent. I could be wrong here. Please let me know if I am.

Sure you do (if the other continent is behind a real ocean and not just a narrow strait), but you don't need Astro to get free diplo. Also you were in a position to get Astro on the same turn anyway Though the Mercantilism prevented immediate benefits of course.

 

[mjg5591]

Played til then end,

Started off by switching to constitution to go to democracy. Made few trades also to backfill. Picked up astro, eco, RP, and cash.

I then started specializing cities. Cottaged newly conquered Joao lands. Built the GT in Lisbon. Ironic as I never drafted 1 unit the whole game. But it helped with motherland unhappiness.

After Democracy, I beelined AL. Figured I would build up an army and go after AC. As he switched to FR. Him and HC were at war off and on til end of game. I then noticed that AC had AL already. I still don't have rifling at this point. I traded for it soona fter though.

On the other continent Zara was teching away with the game. I'm sure this is where AC got AL. I then decided to beeline internet and go for space. But funny thing happened on the way. I checked VC screen and noticed I have 3 cities over 10000 culture. Having 4 religion's I decided to go culture. I then started spreading religions to every city, building the temples to open up cathedrals. Built these in Washington, Barcelona, and Madrid.

Was beat to broadway by Zara. But got lucky he never teched radio. I then win Rock and roll and hollywood in washington and madrid. Switched to CS and ran artists. Built ET for the broadcast towers. Then when I hit Computers turned the culture up to 100%. Running Culture in the 2 cities and wealth everywhere else. Internet in Barcelona then went to culture. Got 11 tech from internet. Took screenshot at end of game of the tech's as I forgot when I built it. I did culture bomb barcleona once or twice also from GA's.

Then was just hitting enter til win. Zara was building engine's to launch. But I had him beat as I knew it would be 15 turns after he launched.

1949AD Culture win.

Kind of boring ending to my FIRST EMPEROR WIN , but I'll take it. I couldn't have won without the advice from this thread. Kossin, Gumbolt, DaveMc, City raider, Gliese, Dualmaster, Kelo, Bruinbound, Vicawoo, and Silu. Sorry if I missed anyone. Thanks for helping me win my first emperor game.

Special Thanks to Kossin and Gumbolt for helping me along with the whole game. Really don't think I win without it.

I plan on making another thread to help my game on emperor soon. Any suggestions on leader choice is weclome.

Screenshots of win.

Low score but I'll take.

Thanks again

Mike.

 

[Gumbolt]

Congrats. A win is a win and cultural wins are not always easy!

 

[Gumbolt]

You could try the Spanish next?

 

[Gumbolt]

Just for comparison really.

I was think of a phant rush but joaII now has LB. I might switch cities back to wealth and chop out GL. Up to about 9/10 cities. Got around 9-10 workers or so. Not counted!

Overall i have HBR, Aesth and currency over Ai. they seem to have monarchy Feudalism, Theology, monarchy and maybe a few other techs between them.

If i tech COL I can bulb philosophy but I really need a GP farm.


Any thoughts???

 

[kossin]

A win is a win, no matter how 'ugly' it is. Win a few more games and you'll get comfortable with the level and see it really isn't that much different from Monarch, you just need a well formulated plan.

As for a SG,we have one running that just started. I had kept the possibility of an extra spot wanting a 6 or 7 roster.
You can check it here if you want. It does feature a few small variants but they aren't game-breaking

 

[mjg5591]

Just for comparison really.

I was think of a phant rush but joaII now has LB. I might switch cities back to wealth and chop out GL. Up to about 9/10 cities. Got around 9-10 workers or so. Not counted!

Overall i have HBR, Aesth and currency over Ai. they seem to have monarchy Feudalism, Theology, monarchy and maybe a few other techs between them.

If i tech COL I can bulb philosophy but I really need a GP farm.


Any thoughts???

Wow like how you expanded north. Way better then I did.

Phant rush could still work. Joao had LB when I attacked. Just glad he didn't have pikes.

Like how your land is improved. You have 12 workers.

Couple questions though.

1. Any reason alot of your citizens are angry? Looks like monarchy needed.

2. Settler between NY and seaville, where is he headed to settle?

3. Why is seaville size 1? Just want the commerece from gold?

4. The GS in barcelona. Saving him to bulb Philo?

As for the GP farm. I had same problem. Why my GS came real late. Also why I ran Caste. I made washington my gpfarm. Not greatest site, but couyldn't find better spot. I moved palace to madrid though. Earlier posts on this thread asked why i got my great people out slow.

Still like your position in this game. AC and HC aren't going to be as big in your game as they were in mine, because of your expantion north.

Mike

 

[mjg5591]

A win is a win, no matter how 'ugly' it is. Win a few more games and you'll get comfortable with the level and see it really isn't that much different from Monarch, you just need a well formulated plan.

As for a SG,we have one running that just started. I had kept the possibility of an extra spot wanting a 6 or 7 roster.
You can check it here if you want. It does feature a few small variants but they aren't game-breaking

I'll check it out. I am interested in joining if your team is willing. I'll post on that thread also.

Thanks for the encouragement, I just won an offline game as victoria on emperor. Another culture win. Think I will post another game on the forums. Gumbolt suggested Spanish Empire. I have never played them before, so think I'll use them. Adivce from the forums will help alot, and honestly will be needed. Although would like to try another VC then culture.

 

[Gumbolt]

Wow like how you expanded north. Way better then I did.

Phant rush could still work. Joao had LB when I attacked. Just glad he didn't have pikes.

Like how your land is improved. You have 12 workers.

Couple questions though.

1. Any reason alot of your citizens are angry? Looks like monarchy needed.

2. Settler between NY and seaville, where is he headed to settle?

3. Why is seaville size 1? Just want the commerece from gold?

4. The GS in barcelona. Saving him to bulb Philo?

As for the GP farm. I had same problem. Why my GS came real late. Also why I ran Caste. I made washington my gpfarm. Not greatest site, but couyldn't find better spot. I moved palace to madrid though. Earlier posts on this thread asked why i got my great people out slow.

Still like your position in this game. AC and HC aren't going to be as big in your game as they were in mine, because of your expantion north.

Mike

I have played on a bit.

You pose some good questions and points.

1. In terms of happiness I was lacking monarchy and resources such as fur and silver. My economy has struggled a bit due to number of cities and lack of a good science base. it may have also been due to some whipping.

2. I have since laid a few more cities. I held back a settler due to costs and 10% science slider.

3. I need to switch seaville to food to grow. I couldnt afford to take off the gold as I was on the brink really.

4. I held off the scientist to bulb philosophy.

I am looking to do a dual GP farm using Madrid as a Priest farm and Barcelona as a science farm with Glib. I built Sistine? for 3 priests.

I am well on course to bub liberalism. I have just part bulb edu and have a spare scientist but i need compass too. I dont think I will be able to match your science due to number of cities.

I messed up not getting marble city near JoaII so laid a city on the ice to gain silver and fur. Wasteful but useful in terms of chopping.

 

[Gumbolt]

Still playing.

Just taken steel from liberalism. Need to decide where to go from here!

I think possible rifles and GT to whip units. At present empire is a bit small.

Any thoughts?

 

[kossin]

Get about 10~15 cannons and keep building them. Tag along 10~15 mace/Muskets and take out your continent with reinforcements. You don't have to wait for Rifling, cannons can defend themselves pretty well. Most likely they won't even attack your stack, so just find a way to crush their SoDs and then take cities.

You also need more farms. Building all cottages and workshops is pointless if you don't have to feed them.

 

[Gumbolt]

One down. I think I went in with too few troops. JC stack is looking bad news.

 

[Gumbolt]

I think this game is almost won really. Just dow the Romans and like fools they sent their entire stack one step into my land. 17 cannons later and the 30 units were all about 80% weaker. Only had 13-15 other units to destroy them though.

2 turns later and their stack city is mine. my power rating against everyone is now 1.1 or better. no one has rifles yet. might as well play it out. 1530ad currently.

It does amaze me how poor the Ai is at war at times. Would you send a stack of units towards a large stack of cannons if you knew they would be destroyed the next turn? Ho hum!

Okay Romans down. Incas next and they dont have rifles or cannons yet. Hmmm I have rifles and 10-15 cannons. Should be a quick death. His stack is weak. looks like I will have to take out the dated English too. need to start building galleons. might as well set science to 0%.

 

[Gumbolt]

Played to a lazy 1738 win. Messed up the naval invasion on the English. Should of waited 3-4 turns for 12 more units. Got a mid 157k score.