How does the AI expand so fast?

[jpinard]

In each game I play on regent level I'm always awed (actually frustrated) at how fast the AI builds new cities and expands. How are they doing it so quickly? Is it possible they're cheating?



And I apologize profusely if this has been covered before.

 

[cymru_man]

???? I sometimes get frustrated at how slow the AI expands.

Before corruption hits really badly (i.e. 1 shield per turn) you should be aiming to build a settler on or around the turn the city hits size 3. Do this about 4-5 times for each main city ( maybe less) and you will outexpand the AI.

I agree, sometimes it is difficult to believe the AI especially on high difficulty levels, but remember, especially for expansionist civs, they may have found a settler in a hut on their second turn or something dumb. (You can find out at the end game by watching the VCR).

Also the AI civs capital may be in a prime position for early growth and production (cows are very good for this).

 

[SirJethro]

Originally posted by jpinard
In each game I play on regent level I'm always awed (actually frustrated) at how fast the AI builds new cities and expands. How are they doing it so quickly? Is it possible they're cheating?



And I apologize profusely if this has been covered before.

The AI doesn't get advantages at Regent. Techncially you should be able to expand every bit as fast, assuming your terrain is equivalent. You may want to take a look at some of the strategy articles regarding early expansion. Many of them are very good.

At Monarch, the AI starts getting production bonuses (things become cheaper), and and Emperor and Diety they get bigger bonuses as well as extra settlers and military at the beginning.

 

[cracker]

At regent level the AI has no speed advantage over you as teh human player. If the AI is out expanding you and out building you it is because you aren ot yet making the right early build and worker task choices.

You can use the AI automated worker function as a good example of why you should be able to spank the AI easily. The automated worker functions waste 1 out of every 6 to 8 moves for each worker. This translates into a 15 to 20% advantage for you the human player if you learn to play the opening sequences well.

The article on:

Improving Your Opening Play Sequences

will help you get a better handle on these tasks and will let you enjoy the game more regardless of why you play or what level you play on.

Terrain power in your start position does have an effect, but in general after the first 10 to 20 turns you have either followed the processes outlined in the IYOPS article and are in control of the game or you have done something else and the AI is muddling along ahead of you. Bad decisions with workers and bad build decisions do more to cripple your early play success that any crappy terrain position (with the exception perhaps of solid tundra and solid jungle.)

Good luck,