Help on Monarch Level

[Yzman]

I've just started playing on monarch about 2 games ago and I'm having some trouble with it. My first game on it I won but only becuase I just built tons of military and destroyed everyone. My question is how to keep up with them. They build and tech so much faster than me. In my last game I manages just teching regularly but in this one they trade too quick and I'm left like 5 techs behind. Their empired grow way bigger than mine as well. My question is should I just buy the tech from them? I tried but I run out of money buying all the techs becuase they do "per turn deals and I just can't keep up. They build wonders and their empires way faster than me as well. Can anyone give me some tips on how to keep up tech and civilization wise? I really don't wanna have to go back to regent level.

 

[JFL_Dragon]

The jump from Regent - Monarch is quite a big one. There are still 2 ways in keeping up with tech on this level.

I tend to buy all my tech at that level and you can keep up quite easily and get ahead in the late ind age / modern age. So to your first question, I recommend you do buy tech from them. If you are finding it difficult keeping up with them doing this I would have another look at my economy & govt as its not that difficult.

You can research tech to keep up to date, just read Sir Plebs GOTM 8 spoiler which was a Monarch Game, but I dont tend to
research much at Monarch level.

Cheers

 

[BiatchGuy]

I haven't been around here in awhile..


but I'm bumping this up to the top, since I was also playing a bit on Monarch recently, and having no luck at all!

tips for Monarch?

 

[jshelr]

My answer to competing on higher levels would be:

1. Grovel -- when they demand furs and gold, pay up, every time. You can't afford to bog down in fighting until you are ready.

2. Don't build any buildings but barracks -- follow Dr Fell's expansion strat until it's time for war

3. Set science to zero after iron and horses -- you can buy it at half price and get it for nothing after conquest. (You have to keep only one level behind on the tree to make the conquest idea pay off optimally.)

4. Expect a good game. Don't expect to dominate from the start. Your advantages are in the fighting, where you will be much smarter, and in the late stage building, where I don't understand why the AI lags so badly, but they do, and in research strategy in the late game, where the AI doesn't get the power of MA.

5. I noticed last night that AI civs were building factories and power plants on the new patch -- you may be in for a tougher late game than before.

But -- after 30 hours or so, you will win!!

 

[Higher Game]

You can't really buy techs from the AI if they don't like you. If you are the war loving barbarian I think most people are, then you will have a hard time trading with the AI. Aim for military techs and beat the peace time techs out of the AI.

Also, make plenty of units to fight. You will need 3x what an AI has if you want a guaranteed victory. When you hit the industrial ages, make factories and coal plants, then use mobilization. You should be able to run over the AI from that point on.

Good luck with monarch!

 

[alexander dumas]

I'm playing my second game on Monarch and I'd like to say that I finally understand what everyone means by waiting between turns. It takes minutes for the AI to move their hundred or so units during war time. I also like artillery a lot more. I've repelled over a hundred infantry with my rail-connected artillery.

It seems to me that Monarch is the first level where the human (if not an expansionist) needs to accept being behind in technology until the late middle ages or industrial age. It's also where you'll have to capture GWs instead of building them.

In my game I set my science to 10% so that I would get a tech every 40 turns. Then I'd quickly sell it to the AI for other ones.

The Great Library is worth a few thousand gold. Capture it if you can.

Trading is worth more to the AI than it is to you. Don't trade unless you can really use what it is you are trading for. The AI negotiates trades unequally, so if you are trade happy, you'll only make the AI stronger.

 

[Yzman]

Thats probably my biggest problem. I'm used to being ahead so much in regent, and when I am behind in Monarch I get mad. I went back to regent for now. I guess my 2 wins on monarch will be enough for now. I'm sure I'll try again in a week or so to trully master the level.

 

[Lkysam]

In my game I set my science to 10% so that I would get a tech every 40 turns

Just a hint but if you just make on of your guys a scientist you get the samr result cheaper

 

[Higher Game]

Actually, I just beat my first monarch game![dance]

It was with the Chinese, and it was hard getting used to playing as a non religious civ. My archer rush helped with the Romans, and I got riders in time to stop a German sneak attack. I took around 6 minor German cities, and sued for peace. Then I used my riders to wipe out the Iroquios, then upgraded them to cavalry and eliminated the main German cities.

I caught up in tech from then on, and destroyed around 1/3 of the Americans before winning by space race. Monarch really isn't that hard, and I didn't even have a good starting location!

If I played differently, I would have rushed a little harder in the beginning and I would have chosen Japan instead for the religious/militaristic combo. I didn't take advantage of my industrious trait early enough to do well enough later on. I regret I didn't win by domination or conquering. After I beat a few more on monarch, I will move on to emperor if I think I can handle it.

 

[Yzman]

I'm starting to do really well in Monarch. I'm keeping up with the civs tech wise researching by myself and trading. I also just took out my neighbor. Looks like I'll win this one.