I enable logging of events or write down important events on paper to see if next time I could reach targets earlier.I never play the same map twice, unless I forget that I played it before. Let alone 16 times. That doesn't sound like fun to me, and is probably part of the reason you're struggling.
Saves/single/auto
into something like Saves/single/auto-attempt-N
and then start a new game. Loading is not fast so I don't do it usually. The new game could be started from intermediate position - if you think your early turns are optimal. And refinement of saves is controlled by My Games/Beyond the Sword/CivilizationIV.ini
:[CONFIG]
autosaveinterval = 10
maxautosaves = 30
Can I say that, as a general guide, always research Monarchy in isolation? It's never a terrible choice.Here are some general pointers for isolation...
- Monarchy is around 800 beakers if you have to tech the full Myst > Med > PH > Monarchy line. This gets you +1 size in all cities, and essentially unlimited in the capitol, but you do have to pay maintenance on all of the warriors you stuff in the capitol. I think this tech path probably only pays off if you have an amazing capitol or if you also have wine so all cities get +2 happiness just from the tech and HR.
Do you want to own a religion (with all penalties in relations) or just for trade + path to Civil Service?I am still undecided about a diversion to Code of Laws. Trying to found a religion is always risky.
Monarchy probably needs to be elaborated on a little in my post. I do think there are plenty of times when I would skip it.Can I say that, as a general guide, always research Monarchy in isolation? It's never a terrible choice.
On emperor and immortal difficulty, I am still undecided about a diversion to Code of Laws. Trying to found a religion is always risky.
All fair. Thanks a lot for your input jorissimo.I think I'm beginning to understand what's hard about this map
Spoiler :
I was playing too casually because Emperor. Ended up going in with 27 badly promoted Cavalry and tried to attack Cyrus 3 times (with reloading) from different directions with different tactics (taking the northeastern city directly, waiting for the stack to come out, taking the southwestern, closest city first) and I just could not break through. He had too many Cuirassiers. Going Lib-Cav might not have been the best plan, the Chem beeline would have been better with a bulb. Alternatively, drafting could have been an option. Dropping this game now because I feel like it's served its purpose (getting a fast Astro date) and I need a lot more focus to win these late game wars and feel like I just can't really be bothered. Iso is not just about getting a fast Astro date, it's about breaking through to another continent.