Hypothetical CIV Wager

[Gucumatz]

In vanilla, I would go Aztecs or French, early culture can help you set your path. Aztecs have nice UB to go for culture or Diplo. French culture can pop up early cities quick and build a militaristic empire.

Both would arguably the most versatile.

 

[Camikaze]

Meh. But if you over-exercise your military, culture won't be an option.

It will be if there's no opposition left, or if you have a large puppet-empire with only a few core cities.

 

[avdale]

Mongolia

Keshiks>Everything. As has been said just leave 1 person's capital alive surrounded entirely by units while you go for science/time/space/culture/diplo/whatever.

 

[Rex_Mundi]

Mongolia

Keshiks>Everything. As has been said just leave 1 person's capital alive surrounded entirely by units while you go for science/time/space/culture/diplo/whatever.

Also Khan and march on the mele line works on any map.

For a bet I would pick Songhai or Mongolia, for fun I would pick Ottomans.
A war strategy will lead you to any victory wou want, and it will help you deal with a runaway AI.

 

[Mesix]

Meh. But if you over-exercise your military, culture won't be an option.

Not true...the easiest way to win a Culture VC is the mass puppet strategy (conquer everyone and puppet the cities). Puppets do not increase the culture of new policies the way a built city or an annexed city do. The puppet cities do produce culture though, so it becomes easier to gain new policies.