Initially I wanted a relaxing Monarch game after the recent tough Saladin NC, so I chose a civ with good starting techs and above-average leader (more important reason: I don't want to start next to AI Nappy). The starting position looked relaxing, but after 30 turns, I only saw Monty's units, barbs, and coast line. Monty put all his
on me. This could only be semi-isolation. Fortunately Monty's capital had Horse but no Copper, which gave me some time to build units. When I saw Monty's worker started building a mine in a 2
1
flat grassland tile, I couldn't delay my attack any longer
.
Economy was garbage after the attack. Unit cost was high. Barbs everywhere. Lost a Combat 3 HA to a barb Axe in an unforested flat land
. Parthenon and GLib was built before I got Aesthetics
. Lack of early happiness was also an issue, as gold, gem, silver, fur, and Ivory were all in the other continent.
Semi-isolation with a psycho was indeed tougher than just isolation. Managed to get 1200AD Astronomy
, much later than my isolation games. Luckily there were many nice spots on my continent to backfill after Astro. Dawdling with ~350
towards Steel because the other continent adopted Mercantilism
. The opponents had high Military flavor. An AI beeline Rifling. Another AI went straight for Grens and his favourite civic is Nationhood
. Managed to get a very late win as Monarch level is forgiving, although the whole game is not relaxing at all.
Maybe I made some wrong decisions - for example maybe I should have choked Monty? or I shouldn't have delayed Monarchy? or I should have whipped more when I prepared for the overseas warfare? ...