How do you deal with early Zulu?

[cinattra]

I have not had the opportunity to play against them yet. I look forward to the challenge!

 

[Murrica]

Hope he wants to go after other civs. Denounce the guys he denounces. Give him good deals on trade. Be BFFs until he gets to an age where he can no longer benefit from the unique promotions. That might be too much work. Could be easier to get other friends and gang up on him.

 

[Asgrahim]

The same way I dealt with Attila in G&K. Ragequit and respin.

 

[alpaca]

The best approach is to throw other civs into his way by bribing him to attack them, I guess. It usually works to get warmongers off your back as long as you need to get a science advantage and have a chance against them. Alternatively, go for an early CB rush. If you can get him before he researches civil service, you got him (won't work on deity).

 

[Novalia]

you just need to prepare.. you cant be bob builder anymore.. you have to stop what you WANTED to do.. and deal with him.. build walls.. reset your tech tree for crossbows, trebs, and longswords-->muskets.. defend while you're researching.. build barracks.. enhance production and gold.. prepare for war.

early on build an additional scout to track where his army is going.. when he turns his army towards you.. if you arent ready.. bribe him to fight someone else while you prepare.. if you're ready let him in.. position your ranged appropriately.. let him beat his face against your walls while you pick off a unit or two every turn.

ultimately you WANT him to DOW you.. its your best chance at taking puppets and eliminating an opponent without the diplo hit.

 

[Buccaneer]

you just need to prepare.. you cant be bob builder anymore.. you have to stop what you WANTED to do.. and deal with him.. build walls.. reset your tech tree for crossbows, trebs, and longswords-->muskets.. defend while you're researching.. build barracks.. enhance production and gold.. prepare for war.

early on build an additional scout to track where his army is going.. when he turns his army towards you.. if you arent ready.. bribe him to fight someone else while you prepare.. if you're ready let him in.. position your ranged appropriately.. let him beat his face against your walls while you pick off a unit or two every turn.

ultimately you WANT him to DOW you.. its your best chance at taking puppets and eliminating an opponent without the diplo hit.

Best summary. I finally got tired of those saying the game is broken because it would not let you play the way you wanted. Insomuch I was wrong about the so-called passive AI, I am coming to grips with the need of doing an early CB rush if I don't find myself isolated or next to malleable partner. This is what the game is all about - a puzzle that makes you stop and think of the various solutions to a challenge.

 

[Moriarte]

This is how i dealt with early Zulu on deity:

Spoiler :

I couldn't take his cities with xbows, so i held the line until artilleries arrived, and then with great trouble (to be honest) i was able to erase him from the game. t.210 now, i have 570 bpt and on par with France (tech).

I had a spy in his cap and saw him (literally) produce a impi a turn for a very long time.

Nothing left to fear in civ after killing Shaka

 

[playshogi]

I was ready with 6 CB's and when I saw the attack force coming, I retreated to a defensive line. When the Zulu force reached my line, it turned around and attacked France! While they were away in France, I took the Zulu capital which was undefended.
(immortal level).