How Quick to 6 Cities?

[Blitzstrahl]

In my haphazard reading of various strategy articles and forum posts, I seem to be finding that between 6 and 8 cities is a fairly standard requirement for a civ, although I've certainly read about it being done with more and less. However, it seems like several national and world wonders are unlocked with around 6-8 buildings of a type.

Given this, how quickly is a standard guideline for expanding to 6 cities? I presume the standard gamut of variables exist, including map size, shape, game difficulty and proximate civilizations. However, if it were possible to generalize, would it be, for example, a good habit to try for 6 cities by 50 turns? 100 turns? In building my cities, I can emphasize worker, warrior and settler production, putting off other buildings until I've expanded (horizontal growth) or focus on limited cities with good production, and then lagging cities later?

I apologize if this topic has been discussed elsewhere, but I couldn't find the answers terribly quickly using the search function and a few browses.

 

[King Pluto]

Usually, 5-6 by 1 AD puts you in a good position. Also remember, that many cities requires 8 or so Workers, more if you're in the Jungle.

 

[gilmore606]

What settings is this rule of thumb based on? In my games with 8 civs on a standard size map I find everyone ends up with at least 10-12 cities by the renaissance. I feel squeezed out (and usually lose) if I can't settle/take that many.

 

[6K Man]

I aim for 8 cities by 1 AD.

 

[goodolarchie]

There are many influencing factors: Imperialistic, Financial Organized, early rush, high-food cap, map type, peninsula...
but I generally have 6 up by about 1500 BC in Immortal or Diety. Any slower than that and I find it hard to come back. There's usually a substantial economy hit around the time I'm finishing either Alphabet or Aesthetics as the initial trade-bit (hence why the latter seems to be a safer bet). City two is usually a "find nearest strategic city site that I can improve," while three and four are often blocking cities. Five, Six and beyond are usually ideal cites I'm backfilling, or Ctrl+S'd during exploration.

 

[Mantic0re]

Semi-related question:

Do you pass up city sites and not settle cities at some point. Say you've just finished off an AI and have plenty of blocked, open space and resources for 25-30 cities (you currently have 10 after the war). Do you fill all those in or just add the 6 more cities at quality sites and go for your VC?

 

[DampRain]

8 By 1 AD is a good rule to aim for. As the maps become smaller/game becomes more difficult, 6.
The main thing is quality, since you can always settle some trash spots.

for example, a good habit to try for 6 cities by 50 turns?

Some people might not even have 2 by 50 .

@goodolarchie
what speed do you tend to play at?