In need of input after ancient warfare

[TheArchduke]

Starting a game up as Mehmet on Monarch

with a nice, but tundra starting position I saw the game through. My start wasn´t that bad but I was boxed in, so after some intial luck (Judaism founded, Oracle built early(used for Monarchy. ), I was in dire need of more land (founded Ankara out of sheer desperation). After some beating off Monty with warriors I began to mass built chariots to have 8-9 have a lucky takeover of protectionist York, but got unlucky and a spearman was built in time.

I redirected my thrust at Louis XIV who luckily based half his army on axeman and only spearman in Lyon, thus it is still standing. The question is, what now?

Should I have razed more cities that I have taken? They all seemed in a good position and I think with a new palace I could afford the country. Is Alphabet the right joice or code of laws? I have some money left for deficit research but not much.

Should I raise a bigger army and try to beat monty before he can become a threat and attack me another time? And how do I get rid of Churchill which has so nicely boxed me in? Or shall I let culture(Thanks Judaism and Oracle take care of that?

I am grateful for any input or advice really, because I got like 5 monarchs win under my belt, but this is the first really crappy, now straight forward position. Screenie attached.

 

[TheArchduke]

And the save of course.

 

[futurehermit]

See Snaaty's thread on moving the capital when coastal to avoid precisely being boxed-in. Try and keep Monty as your attack dog and then attack him when he's backwards in tech. Churchhill is protective, but attack him once you have enough siege (conquers all). You need to take him out to get breathing room. Oracle-Monarchy is a waste imo although some think it is good (if you do take it make sure to use it!!! get units in your cities and grow to larger pop!). I would prefer to take CoL (courthouses and CS prereq, not to mention caste system). The french are further away so I wouldn't worry about them. The concern is that the french and aztec are not reliable allies whereas Churchill would be. However, you need to clear out Churchill to get breathing room. I would say try and bribe the Aztec and/or French to go to war with you against Churchill (keep them off of your back). Then get a tech lead (preferably cavalry) and mop up your continent.

 

[Galileo44]

I say go for Code of Laws. This will greatly increase your research by allowing you to build courthouses everywhere. Those courthouses are the key to rebuilding after an early war. Second, did you have any metals? Because if you did, then axemen would have been much better than chariots for a rush. However, if you only had horses, then you made the right decision. I support futurehermit's naming of Snaaty's strategy as one that would have helped you here. I have been trying it, and in this game it would have helped you a lot, making early warmongering not a necessity.

 

[Jet]

I think Alphabet was a good choice, with Literature next (Marble). It looks like you're at 40% at 0. I think that's strong for being #1 land in 370 BC, and with your Palace move you'll be in even better shape (also a good call).

That's assuming you have gotten a level 4 unit. Although from the log it looks like you might have accidentally lost your GG in the field? I can't tell.

I would probably build the Great Library, then the Heroic Epic in Istanbul. That is an odd combination, but Istanbul has the hammers, so I suggest just getting it done.

I think Monty is too far behind to become a serious threat. If he attacks you, you should be able to fight him off. I think the main reason to attack him would be to get the Copper from Calixlahuaca. On the other hand you probably have Iron somewhere, and Calixlahuaca will eventually flip.

I agree with others that you can take out Churchill with siege units. For geographic reasons I would make that my next large war (maybe after Calixlahuaca). After that you can steamroll Monty.

 

[TheArchduke]

Thanks for the advice.

I ended up researching CoL and then Alphabet and then Literature.

I made Istanbul my Heroic Epic city and my new capital Orleans my science city with the GL. My first capital move ever in CiV, but the move alone gave me +12 GPT!!

Will look for Snaaty´s Thread. And who would have known it, Monty attacked me again, so I traded horses for ivory and smashed him with Elephants.

 

[cabert]

You should have bribed him vs England!
Now you have a target, at least.
Take down Monte, then finish france, then go for england, then win

 

[futurehermit]

Yes, definitely don't forget to win

 

[TheArchduke]

Ended the game with my best score so far, with a domination win when I vassalized Qin/Fredrick on the northern Island.

Perhaps the first time, taking vassals actually paid off.

I used Jannisaries for my first english offense, but nothing beats Cavalry. I used those guys to kill France, England and Egypt in 10-15 years and they compromised my main force when going after the german/mongol Island north of me.

 

[CivCorpse]

You should have attacked Monty before france. I always attack monty. Even if he isn't in the game. I go into the kitchen, make a sandwich and name it Monty...then I take big sloppy bites and finish him off. Occasionally I will following this with some potato chips named Alex.

 

[Evanesce]

You should have attacked Monty before france. I always attack monty. Even if he isn't in the game. I go into the kitchen, make a sandwich and name it Monty...then I take big sloppy bites and finish him off. Occasionally I will following this with some potato chips named Alex.

Monty certainly is an unpredictable sandwich~