Help winning at harder skill levels

[ctwink]

I am having a lot of trouble even competing, let alone winning, at the higher skill levels. I'm building spearmen and the AI already has musketmen. The AI builds every single wonder because I've got tons of entertainers keeping my people from going into anarchy. They only way I can halfway do well is to be by myself on a continent and still I get creamed.

I win all the time at the lower skill levels, so I must be doing something right. I see people say they win "all the time" at the highest skill levels - what am I doing wrong?

 

[Aabraxan]

Welcome to CFC, ctwink!

It's hard to give very good advice with so little information, so let me ask a few questions:

1) What version are you playing?
2) What levels do you mean by "higher" and "lower?"
3) By what victory condition do you want to win?

IMO, the best way to get advice on your particular game is to post a save. That way, other players can download it and get a good look at what's going on in your empire.

With all that said, here are some of the most common mistakes made by new players, IMO:
a) Too few workers;
b) Too few roads;
c) Lots of unnecessary structures;
d) Too many defensive units;
e) Not enough tech trading.

 

[lordmacroer]

Here is one thing to keep in mind; The AI never realy gets any better at building it civilzation at higher levels, it just gets bonuses, extra starting units, and trades with the other computers more. People are able to beat the AI consitantly at higher levels because the AI is just as bad at managing its empire as it is at the lower levels. The biggest hints i could give is to trade with the AI as much as you can for technology, and use as little entertainers as possible. Instead raise your culture slider (not sure what it is exactly called, but it is the other slider along with the science one)

 

[Spoonwood]

I think you mean luxury slider... not culutre slider lordmacroer.

 

[Sweetchuck]

What skill level are you trying to play at?

Also, what setup are you playing (map, size, age)?

There are little nuances that mean worlds considering the elements of the game.

 

[lordmacroer]

I think you mean luxury slider... not culutre slider lordmacroer.

yes that would be the one