How many people choose their civ by random?

[Lochlann]

I am curious about this. I have posted it in the strategy forum because I am wondering if using many different civ types helps you to become a better player, thus acting as a macro-strategy in its own right. I am the sort of player who prefers to find the civilization/empire/character/whatever that suits my playing style best, and then to concentrate exclusively on that while playing. Have others here found experimenting with different civ strengths useful in understanding the game better? Does this have a measurable impact on understanding how the AI plays the game, or does it only help with understanding how human opponents might play? Any and all thoughts are welcome.

 

[Mariusz]

I play with all civs one by one in sequence in which they are presented on the screen where I choose them (Rome first, then Greece, Germany, China etc.). After England I start from begining.

 

[Spike59]

I am about 50-50 on using the random setting. Sometimes after reading something here in a post, I might want to try using a specific civ. Other times, I like to just be suprised. Also; I just stepped up a notch in difficulty, so I went with the civ that I felt most comfortable with - the Iriquois. My next game will probably be random civ again.

 

[Frenetic_Saxon]

I always select "Random." I'm hoping that, as you suggest, I'll become a better all-around player because of it.

Or maybe that's why I always feel like a newbie.

 

[dowski]

I got pretty comfortable playing a few Civs (China, France, Egypt) and have now decided to play random. I moved up to regent my last game and had a good game with the Iriqouis. This time around I got the Zulus. I am doing decent, but I still play as a conservative builder most of the time, rarely intitiating a war. Playing a random Civ does spice things up though, and forces different strategies.

dowski

 

[wilbill]

Originally posted by Lochlann
Have others here found experimenting with different civ strengths useful in understanding the game better? Does this have a measurable impact on understanding how the AI plays the game, or does it only help with understanding how human opponents might play? Any and all thoughts are welcome.

Yes to both your questions. At least regarding the AI - I only play SP. Since I started playing random civs, I've learned to use the various attributes more effectively and I understand more about what to expect from the AI civs.
I take a random civ about 95% of the time.

 

[Thrawn]

I usually pick one at random. Occassionally I let the game do that for me though.

 

[Hygro]

Hm, shoulda just said yes, no, noth, but since your poll states:

depends, random, or favorite, then I can't answer. I pick the civ, but it's not my favorite, just one I want to play.

 

[Ville]

Random!!!

 

[Brewster]

I decide which civ I get to play and never choose the same one for two games. I like to try out the different attributes and UU's. Sometimes I pick a civ based purely on colour alone (sometimes you need to be red).

I've found that by mixing things up, I've become a better player and can adapt well to different situations.

 

[Lochlann]

Cool, thanks for the replies. That's pretty much what I expected, I just wanted to see how many people actively sought randomness in their playing experiences. I am more of a tried-and-true player, sticking to my favorite style, but I have been trying to branch out to different civs. I find that I just cannot tolerate non-Industrious civs, though; it's just too painful to see my Workers take 200 years or so to build a road.

 

[bru]

I like to choose. I choose the style of play I want then pick the best civ to match!!

 

[Kemal]

I always pick random civs, as it doesn't really matter to me which traits I get to play with, all of them have their advantages. Due to a strange coincidence, I have yet to play with the conquistador, as the game has never let me play the Spanish so far, even though I own PTW since it hit the shelves in november.

 

[RegentMan]

I've never picked random. I pick a civ which just seems 'cool' at the moment.

 

[warmonger]

Random everything except map size.

map size governs the length of the game

random everything else makes it more "real" as you really don't know what's out there. Also means that you have to adapt to the strengths of the civ assigned. I've played them all now at regent level and I still can only win by conquest/domination. Just don't have the patience to be at peace.

 

[Darkness]

I'll take a random civ if I'm just playing a game for fun, but if I'm playing a game to get into the HoF, I usually have some strategy in mind, which works better with one civ, so then I'll pick that civ myself....

 

[ststeven11]

I like to try all of the Civs. I don't really have a favorite. I am currently playing a game as the Spanish simply because I wanted to build Conquistadores. Cool--but ultimately a weak--unit!

 

[Bouchehog]

I have to be honest and say that I used to do two horrible things. Firstly I used to select whichever civ I felt like playing - usually because I thought that it would give me an advantage on the map; secondly I used to reload the map if I didn't like the starting position (I hate jungle).

I've now seen the light thanks to the gotm. I shall be playing on random maps with random civs from now on, unless I want to try something specific.

 

[ipris]

I generally have a plan or a theme or an idea that depends on a civ style.... none of your poll answers work.

 

[Matt_G]

I choose my Civ, but that's because I want to win a game with every Civ, so I am just going down the line........