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Getting out of Despotism should be an obsession. Imagine a demonic voice saying "Get out! Get Out!" until you succeed. As a side note, I have played entire games in despotism on Regent just for a vairant and it can be done. Not recommended for fast, easy, stellar play, though.
Spearmen. I read this somewhere - take the challenge - never build another spearmen and watch your game improve dramatically. You can build 2 warriors for every 1 spear. I'm not saying spears don't have their place, but until you figure it out, stop building them. Period. I usually don't build defensive units until Infantry are available.
There are exceptions to every rule.
Regarding city builds - make sure to weigh each build carefully. Civ3 is a game of alternate choices. If I build this, I must forgo build that (at least for now). And once built, (almost) everything costs money in upkeep which means you must forgo paying for something else.
General thoughts (and note that there are lots of differing opinions, many of them more valuable than mine):
Avoid Colosseums. They cost 120 shields to make 2 people happy (and 2 culture). Build 2 warriors for 20 shields and with MPs you get the same happiness (if you can use MPs). If you can't use MPs because you are in republic, use the luxury slider.
Temples - You'll get mixed reviews. If you are a religious civ, they can be cheap and useful in the beginning. May not be worth it in the later game. I personally don't use them. Make a warrior for MP duty, use the luxury slider, or find/trade for another luxury.
Cathedrals - same as temples but can be a better investment in the late game, particularly if you capture/build the Sistine Chapel. 2 gold for 3 happiness is good, 2 gold of 6 happiness (cat + sistines) is a good deal.
The main problem with religious buildings is that they supply happiness and culture. Since there are other ways to get both, I tend to avoid building them and compensate somewhere else. Since I usually build libraries/universities, I receive my culture from them. I pick up happiness from marketplaces, luxuries and the luxury slider. But that is just MY playing style.
Libraries - Build these in productive cities - it multiples gold AFTER corruption (applies to all multiplier buildings). Build only if you intend to do research - if you intend to trade/buy all your techs - or conquer the world before the end of the AA, you may wish to forgo. Add benefit of culture on top of being a multiplier.
Universities/Research Labs - Same as libraries.
Granaries - this reduces the amount of food you need for growth by half. Vital for settler/worker factories. Limited use in the late game after cities have his size 12. Pick and chose the locations for granaries. Not needed in every city but I tend to overbuild here. I can't really be the voice of reason.
Aqueducts - settle on fresh water whenever possible and you don't need them. If that is not possible, then build this in all core cities if there are the food and tiles to use more than 6 citizens.
Barracks - Build these in productive cities that will produce your military or in cities were troops will retreat to heal. So, if you plan for a city to produce only settlers, workers and galleys, there's no need for a barracks (unless units are retreating there to heal). If you plan to build a barracks, marketplace, library and university in a city, don't build the barracks first - build it in anticipation of its new military role.
As a side note, if you have a city without a barracks and you want to build military, build a catapult, cannon or artillery there - since they don't have hit points, you don't need a barracks (it doesn't help). Build units with hit points in cities with barracks only whenever possible - you get a veteran unit for the same price!
Harbors - Build in cities to connect to the resource/luxury network and to increase food in coastal cities. They also produce veteran navy. I tend to overbuild here too, but mostly need just in the core cities that can gain a benefit from coast tiles, fish or whales. Not needed in corrupt cities. Use to connect to the network.
Banks/Stock markets - I forgo these a lot because if I am at 80-100% research - or I leave them to build last. They will usually pay for themselves. If you are not researching, these are a great investment. If you have captured Smith's (pays for marketplace, bank, stock market, harbor, etc. upkeep) then I will build them everywhere if I have access capacity.
Courthouses/Police Stations - build these in areas where they can actually help - many will suggest a 'sweet spot' around 30-60% corrupt. I overbuild here too. I'll build in cities up to 80% corrupt. Not saying that's a good idea, but I do it.
Factories/Power Plants/Hospitals - build them where they can do good in your productive cities. They will bring pollution with them, though. If you have tight spacing, they may have limited use. If you pick up Hoover's then factories are more attractive.
Getting out of Despotism should be an obsession. Imagine a demonic voice saying "Get out! Get Out!" until you succeed. As a side note, I have played entire games in despotism on Regent just for a vairant and it can be done. Not recommended for fast, easy, stellar play, though.
Spearmen. I read this somewhere - take the challenge - never build another spearmen and watch your game improve dramatically. You can build 2 warriors for every 1 spear. I'm not saying spears don't have their place, but until you figure it out, stop building them. Period. I usually don't build defensive units until Infantry are available.
There are exceptions to every rule.
Regarding city builds - make sure to weigh each build carefully. Civ3 is a game of alternate choices. If I build this, I must forgo build that (at least for now). And once built, (almost) everything costs money in upkeep which means you must forgo paying for something else.
General thoughts (and note that there are lots of differing opinions, many of them more valuable than mine):
Avoid Colosseums. They cost 120 shields to make 2 people happy (and 2 culture). Build 2 warriors for 20 shields and with MPs you get the same happiness (if you can use MPs). If you can't use MPs because you are in republic, use the luxury slider.
Temples - You'll get mixed reviews. If you are a religious civ, they can be cheap and useful in the beginning. May not be worth it in the later game. I personally don't use them. Make a warrior for MP duty, use the luxury slider, or find/trade for another luxury.
Cathedrals - same as temples but can be a better investment in the late game, particularly if you capture/build the Sistine Chapel. 2 gold for 3 happiness is good, 2 gold of 6 happiness (cat + sistines) is a good deal.
The main problem with religious buildings is that they supply happiness and culture. Since there are other ways to get both, I tend to avoid building them and compensate somewhere else. Since I usually build libraries/universities, I receive my culture from them. I pick up happiness from marketplaces, luxuries and the luxury slider. But that is just MY playing style.
Libraries - Build these in productive cities - it multiples gold AFTER corruption (applies to all multiplier buildings). Build only if you intend to do research - if you intend to trade/buy all your techs - or conquer the world before the end of the AA, you may wish to forgo. Add benefit of culture on top of being a multiplier.
Universities/Research Labs - Same as libraries.
Granaries - this reduces the amount of food you need for growth by half. Vital for settler/worker factories. Limited use in the late game after cities have his size 12. Pick and chose the locations for granaries. Not needed in every city but I tend to overbuild here. I can't really be the voice of reason.
Aqueducts - settle on fresh water whenever possible and you don't need them. If that is not possible, then build this in all core cities if there are the food and tiles to use more than 6 citizens.
Barracks - Build these in productive cities that will produce your military or in cities were troops will retreat to heal. So, if you plan for a city to produce only settlers, workers and galleys, there's no need for a barracks (unless units are retreating there to heal). If you plan to build a barracks, marketplace, library and university in a city, don't build the barracks first - build it in anticipation of its new military role.
As a side note, if you have a city without a barracks and you want to build military, build a catapult, cannon or artillery there - since they don't have hit points, you don't need a barracks (it doesn't help). Build units with hit points in cities with barracks only whenever possible - you get a veteran unit for the same price!
Harbors - Build in cities to connect to the resource/luxury network and to increase food in coastal cities. They also produce veteran navy. I tend to overbuild here too, but mostly need just in the core cities that can gain a benefit from coast tiles, fish or whales. Not needed in corrupt cities. Use to connect to the network.
Banks/Stock markets - I forgo these a lot because if I am at 80-100% research - or I leave them to build last. They will usually pay for themselves. If you are not researching, these are a great investment. If you have captured Smith's (pays for marketplace, bank, stock market, harbor, etc. upkeep) then I will build them everywhere if I have access capacity.
Courthouses/Police Stations - build these in areas where they can actually help - many will suggest a 'sweet spot' around 30-60% corrupt. I overbuild here too. I'll build in cities up to 80% corrupt. Not saying that's a good idea, but I do it.
Factories/Power Plants/Hospitals - build them where they can do good in your productive cities. They will bring pollution with them, though. If you have tight spacing, they may have limited use. If you pick up Hoover's then factories are more attractive.
