How can I create a difficulty level that's somewhere between Prince and Monarch?

[Bursk]

I'm using the current build (16th Jan) of Better AI, and I'm finding Monarch just too difficult, but Prince continues to be a bit too easy.

I've taken a look at the CIV4HandicapInfo.xml, but don't really know what values to best change to get a difficulty that's roughly half-way between the two. I am prepared to experiment with different settings, but I thought it would make sense to ask on here first.

While I think of it, is it also possible for me to create a map size that's larger than 'Large', to the extent that it's capable of supporting one more civ (so I'd have 10 civs on a large map instead of 9) without being excessively huge?

 

[Elandal]

I used to use remove the starting worker from AI, otherwise normal Monarch settings.
Haven't decided on difficulty level yet with BetterAI, as I'm using blake's handicap file with it.

 

[Breunor]

I know the feeling of being 'stuck' between levels.

One simple idea if you aren't a modder is to start with the best advantages at the new level, don't think of them as 'cheating'.

For instance, when you comfortable at a level, you may try random maps, random civ, etc. When starting a new level though, pick the map and the CIV to match. Also, try with smaller maps, I find them much easier than larger maps.

So, if you want to conquer, play Gengis on Pangaea on a small or tiny map, Try the Romans, etc. If you can win them, go to harder settings. Play a creative Civ on a Plains map. Play Financial CIV's on islands.

I also 'actively' cheated when I mved up, I allowed myself to reload a few times. It worked, then start cutting it out.


Best wishes,

Bruenor

 

[Godel]

Another way is to go into world builder and give a gems mine (or whatever) to your capital city. It will give you extra happiness and power up your research a bit while you get your civ established. The only tricky part is doing it without noticing other feature of the map, hidden resources etc.

 

[Elandal]

You don't really need to WB a happy resource for yourself. Just reroll the start a couple of times - they aren't THAT rare.

 

[gdgrimm]

I'm using the current build (16th Jan) of Better AI, and I'm finding Monarch just too difficult, but Prince continues to be a bit too easy.

I've taken a look at the CIV4HandicapInfo.xml, but don't really know what values to best change to get a difficulty that's roughly half-way between the two. I am prepared to experiment with different settings, but I thought it would make sense to ask on here first.

While I think of it, is it also possible for me to create a map size that's larger than 'Large', to the extent that it's capable of supporting one more civ (so I'd have 10 civs on a large map instead of 9) without being excessively huge?

Well, if you looked in that XML file, you can just compare the values under the Prince section with the values under the Monarch setting, and make them more alike.

The changes I've made to try to get a middle level.....

1) make the "iStartingLocPercent" variable something like 30. That gives you a consistently good capital location, and takes out what is probably the biggest wild card in the whole RNG situation.
2) remove the free worker unit (set "iAIStartingWorkerUnits" to 0).
3) look at the variables named like "iAI________Percent" and change some (or all) of them from their Monarch level values to their Prince level values.

This will give you a Monarch game that has increased difficulty to your play strategies (i.e. dealing with Barbarians will be Monarch difficulty rather than Prince difficulty, your unit/civic costs will be Monarch difficulty rather than Prince, etc., etc., etc.), but keeps the AI playing at a similar level as it does on Prince.

Once that becomes consistently easy, you can give the AI it's normal Monarch values again, and get back to a normal Monarch level of competition.