Since the patch came out, I've noticed that I have had a lot of difficulty going horizontal (expanding) in the early game on immortal difficulty. Specifically, I find myself consistently falling way behind the other AI's in terms of economy and science, and having a lot difficulty catching up.
More interestingly, I've also noticed that the strongest AI's in my games are typically the ones that go hard vertical, expanding once or twice and growing their capitals to 15-20 pop by the late medieval era. They then warmonger and puppet other cities, especially taking advantage of the ICS-prone civs.
Have other immortal/deity players noticed similar trends? Is it optimal to go hard vertical now, settling only one or two extra cities to claim critical resource clumps?
More interestingly, I've also noticed that the strongest AI's in my games are typically the ones that go hard vertical, expanding once or twice and growing their capitals to 15-20 pop by the late medieval era. They then warmonger and puppet other cities, especially taking advantage of the ICS-prone civs.
Have other immortal/deity players noticed similar trends? Is it optimal to go hard vertical now, settling only one or two extra cities to claim critical resource clumps?