Bandobras Took
Emperor
I've seen a couple of threads deploring the current level of strategy article threads and though I'd do something about it by addressing something that's always seemed a little odd to me: the idea that one can go for early wonders but in so doing can't make use of other trait X.
These ideas are based on Noble level (I'd play a higher level if I were more willing to do the math involved in Slavery/Chopping) and with Stalin (Aggressive/Industrious in BtS).
Since Stalin's Aggressive, you want to be warring, but since he's Industrious, you want to be building wonders. I've seen alternating periods of War and Peace (how appropriate) mentioned, but there are at least a few early-game wonders that really help a warmonger, and Stalin's in a position to grab them:
1) Pyramids+Police State:
+25% Unit Production in all cities and -50% War Weariness is great for a Warmonger. The price tag's the problem: High Upkeep Civics with a non-organized leader can suck. Also, at higher levels, happy caps may mean more actual production from Representation's happiness bonus. If you have readily available Happiness resources, though, give this one a try, as the happiness resources also often generate bonus Commerce which can help offset the cost of a High-Upkeep civic. Also, Stalin starts with hunting and your scouts stand a good chance of keeping your economy going from goody hut popping.
This can also be useful when you're just looking to raze another Civ that's going to be a problem in the future; the upkeep from captured cities won't be a problem when you're not trying to capture them.
2) Great Wall+Great Spy+Alphabet:
Stalin's got a decent shot at the Great Wall and an early Great Spy. Settle him or Infiltrate depending on whether you want a Long or Short-Term bonus, then use spies to drop city defenses for your aggressive Axes and Swords, obviating the need for Siege Weapons.
3) Aesthetics & Literature Beeline:
This one for 3 reasons:
A) Statue of Zeus to make sure whomever you're fighting is run into the Ground with War Weariness. Also denial: as a Warmonger, you don't want someone else building it.
B) Shwedagon Paya gives you access to Theocracy without having to research Theology. It's like an extra tech as far as Warmongering goes!
C) You get a cheaper Heroic Epic than most people; you should push this advantage.
Depending on the bonus resources any of these are worth pursuing. As an Industrious leader and with a decent focus, Stalin has a shot at any of them. His odds are improved since he starts with Mining, and so has early access to Bronze Working (for Slavery/Chopping) and Masonry. If you decide which Wonders you want and focus on them, you only really need to dedicate one city to their pursuit, which isn't too much of a crimp in unit Production.
It's worth noting that while these strategies may also be useful with DeGaulle:
1) He doesn't start with mining; and
2) DeGaulle+Stonehenge=Intense happiness and a more vigorous religious game.
Hopefully this will satisfy people's desire for a strategy article that's actually a strategy article (even if it's short). If it does not satisfy, feel free to publicly berate me.
These ideas are based on Noble level (I'd play a higher level if I were more willing to do the math involved in Slavery/Chopping) and with Stalin (Aggressive/Industrious in BtS).
Since Stalin's Aggressive, you want to be warring, but since he's Industrious, you want to be building wonders. I've seen alternating periods of War and Peace (how appropriate) mentioned, but there are at least a few early-game wonders that really help a warmonger, and Stalin's in a position to grab them:
1) Pyramids+Police State:
+25% Unit Production in all cities and -50% War Weariness is great for a Warmonger. The price tag's the problem: High Upkeep Civics with a non-organized leader can suck. Also, at higher levels, happy caps may mean more actual production from Representation's happiness bonus. If you have readily available Happiness resources, though, give this one a try, as the happiness resources also often generate bonus Commerce which can help offset the cost of a High-Upkeep civic. Also, Stalin starts with hunting and your scouts stand a good chance of keeping your economy going from goody hut popping.
This can also be useful when you're just looking to raze another Civ that's going to be a problem in the future; the upkeep from captured cities won't be a problem when you're not trying to capture them.
2) Great Wall+Great Spy+Alphabet:
Stalin's got a decent shot at the Great Wall and an early Great Spy. Settle him or Infiltrate depending on whether you want a Long or Short-Term bonus, then use spies to drop city defenses for your aggressive Axes and Swords, obviating the need for Siege Weapons.
3) Aesthetics & Literature Beeline:
This one for 3 reasons:
A) Statue of Zeus to make sure whomever you're fighting is run into the Ground with War Weariness. Also denial: as a Warmonger, you don't want someone else building it.
B) Shwedagon Paya gives you access to Theocracy without having to research Theology. It's like an extra tech as far as Warmongering goes!
C) You get a cheaper Heroic Epic than most people; you should push this advantage.
Depending on the bonus resources any of these are worth pursuing. As an Industrious leader and with a decent focus, Stalin has a shot at any of them. His odds are improved since he starts with Mining, and so has early access to Bronze Working (for Slavery/Chopping) and Masonry. If you decide which Wonders you want and focus on them, you only really need to dedicate one city to their pursuit, which isn't too much of a crimp in unit Production.
It's worth noting that while these strategies may also be useful with DeGaulle:
1) He doesn't start with mining; and
2) DeGaulle+Stonehenge=Intense happiness and a more vigorous religious game.
Hopefully this will satisfy people's desire for a strategy article that's actually a strategy article (even if it's short). If it does not satisfy, feel free to publicly berate me.
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buildings or barb defense), you will simply overwhelm the enemy.
