how often do u go to war?

[anarres]

Unless an AI attacks me first, I have a war with my mass chariot -> horseman upgrade, then another after my horseman -> knight upgrade, then another with my knight -> cav upgrade.

There usually isn't an AI left after that.

Oh, and of course I attack at other times: any AI that looks weaker then me and is a neighbour, or if there is a lux I want, etc, etc...

 

[Bilko]

I'm usually always at war with someone, but I tend to not actually invade them until I get an advance like knights, cavs or tanks. And if I'm at peace, I'll generally try to stay at peace at least until my biggest cities have built every possible improvement and can fully commit to building units.

 

[SolarFlare]

I tried playing a peaceful game and it was the most boring thing ever... everyone was gracious to me, none of them went to war with each other either, I had tech lead and 4 turn science (so a permanent tech lead). Made me insane and I attacked Korea, the basis being that he had irrigated a square I had mined - RoP abuse! Isn't that right, guys?

 

[The Last Conformist]

It depends, but usually pretty often. Except for isolated starts (lone on a continent), I've never left the Ancient Times withour war. I sometimes go for an Archer Rush, but usually start my first war with Swordsmen. I'll then fight a series of wars, broken by periods of peaceful manufacturing of arms, till I'm sole master of my home continent - how long this takes of course depends on how big it is and on how many civs there on it.

After that, I'll either go for a peaceful win (usually SS), in which case any further wars are likely to be minor ones, chiefly naval action and the capturing of outlaying islands, or go for world conquest, in which case the the rest of the game is pretty much a bloodbath.

 

[sysyphus]

My every effort to win the game with a "war only when necessary" attitude has failed. Now I spend most of the game in war.

In life, building yourself up by thrashing others down is a bad idea.

In Civ, it's the only way!

I tend to chase a rival civ and cut through the heart of his territory, taking out his capital and major cities, hopefully other rivals come to build in his place leaving him with a geographically split civ and corruption through the roof.

Repeat with other civs, who eventually have empires as big as mine, but thanks to corruption are behind me in stature.

 

[SolarFlare]

I usually build improvements early (temple to secure territory, granary for growth, etc., marketplace etc. later on), which means I skimp on the military. Sure, I could switch over quickly to fight a war (especially after Sun Tzu's), but the cost of slowing city improvement seems high. In fact, I usually have such a lousy military I can't tell the AI to get out when they tramp through my territory like they own the place. Unless a need arises, I don't build military units in a city unless it already has all beneficial improvements.

 

[Runited]

i have figured out a nice way to do wars.. it works early on, and it works even when you have tanks.

I attack their resources first thing after delaring war. I take control of the iron, saltpepper, horses, anything that they can use to create armies better or equal to my troops..

it works like magic! the only tough armies you'll be fighting are the ones they already have before you delcared war.. because after taking their strategic cities, they can no longer produce fearsome army...

unfortunatley this only works perfect on smaller land mass maps and with more civilizations (so no one gets too much of anything unless they're super big).

now that i've chosen this tactic to work with, i go to war twice every era.. never destroying anyone, just cripple them and watch them tumble down.. after the war i keep trading them with tech for their small money so they have absolutely nothing to trade for strategic resources from anyone else..

 

[SolarFlare]

That assumes their resources are within reach, but yes, good strategy. Why does everyone say saltpepper? We're not making eggs here. It's saltpeter, guys.

 

[nalves]

Originally posted by Runited
i have figured out a nice way to do wars.. it works early on, and it works even when you have tanks.

I attack their resources first thing after delaring war. I take control of the iron, saltpepper, horses, anything that they can use to create armies better or equal to my troops..

it works like magic! the only tough armies you'll be fighting are the ones they already have before you delcared war.. because after taking their strategic cities, they can no longer produce fearsome army...

unfortunatley this only works perfect on smaller land mass maps and with more civilizations (so no one gets too much of anything unless they're super big).

now that i've chosen this tactic to work with, i go to war twice every era.. never destroying anyone, just cripple them and watch them tumble down.. after the war i keep trading them with tech for their small money so they have absolutely nothing to trade for strategic resources from anyone else..

That's a good one, and spying their capital you can see the amount of each resources that they have, just to see if you miss one.

 

[Norlamand]

I play it by ear so to speak. Generally I am non-warlike and like to build an empire by peaceful expansion. Of late I have been playing at higher levels (emperor and occasionally deity) and find that I get attacked without provocation frequently. Once attacked I look at it as a fight to the death and don't give the AI any quarter..........occasionally I get my ass handed to me, especially when they all gang up on me. More often than not I have established good relations and trade with most civs and can easily get them to help me crush the aggressor. It often costs me a good deal of money or lux but it is worth it. If I prevail against the aggressor I almost always win in the end. The added land and developments(maybe a wonder) give me an edge (not to mention great leaders which give me my only chance of building a wonder or two). And usually I can extort some tech for peace knowing full well that the AI will soon attack me again or can be goaded into attacking. The brief interlude of peace is helpful for letting me build and place my forces for the second phase.

 

[Leeblan3]

I usually try to avoid war early on, at least until Military Tradition comes along. Even, then I let the AI declare almost all of the time. I really like to wait until I'm pumping out Mech Infantry. Then I use the higher movement values of the modern units to pillage the roads leading to as many resources, then luxuries as possible. There are exceptions, however. In my current game, the Babylonians were on a Florida-like peninsula, and they kept sending units through my territory (it was their only way out). I warned them a few times, then, after discovering Chivalry and building 2 or 3 knights, I went at them with those knights and about 30 immortals. I took thier 10 cities so fast that my second wave had to turn around and reinforce my border with the Zulu (I never trust them) Oh yeah, did I mention that this Peninsula was mostly Tundra, and therefore would someday be rich with oil?[dance]

 

[Factor-X]

1. I allways go to war as soon as I find another civilization early in the game. The Less Civilizations in the game the easier it is to win. I allways use my first warrior to fortify my first city, when I get my 2nd warrior I use it to seek out any civilizations, once I spot another civ or civs I focus on the weakeast one and take all their cities and territory.
2. As soon as you get Knights, Knights are incredible in the offense, better yet if you have Chinese Riders (extra movement points).

After this 2 early wars, I sit tight and develop my empire and wait for tanks, mech infantry modern armor and nukes.


Extras: I allways make Millitary alliance with some other civs against the civ I want taken out, that way the AI weakens itself.