Interesting Problem

[timerover51]

I enjoy playing on the Ptolemy Map (see thumbnail), which is based on Ptolemy's map of the world. It is not at all accurate, except for the Mediterranean, but it is a fun map, and definitely different. It is also large at 250 by 218. I normally play Byzantines or Carthaginian, so I start in the Med, with 3 or so opponents, normally those that are comfortably far away, since I relocated the Inca. The problem is that on Ptolemy's map, the Indian Ocean is a totally enclosed sea with no outlet. Ships from the Med cannot get there. I am playing Civ3C, and used the Conquest editor for the scenario modifications. I have made a fair number of modifications to units, buildings, terrain, and resources.

The problem that has developed is that I am playing Byzantine, verses the Aztec, Inca, and Maya, all far out so that I can develop for a while without headaches from the AI. The situation is shown in the world map thumbnail, with the Inca on the center bottom, the Aztec furthest to the right, and the Maya to the left of the Aztec. My cities are in the upper left corner. The Aztec have reached the Atlantic (no Pacific in this game), and I have contacted them. However, the Maya and the Inca are on the Indian Ocean, and I have no port as yet on the Indian, and no good spot to put one in with high production for modern ships. One purpose for the scenario was to test out some ship modifications that I have made. I can go after the Aztecs, but the Inca and the Maya are right now out of reach. I am presently building Ironclads, and just researched refining, so I have oil that I can get too. Rubber is right now a problem, with 2 locations in Africa that I am building roads too, but it is going to be a while yet. Otherwise, the rubber is all in the Indian Ocean area. I do not remember how I am going to be with respect to aluminum later on.

Couple of notes. One, my style of play is to develop cities slowly, so no need to berate me for having so few cities. Second, ships upgrades go Dromon to Frigate to Cruiser, and Ironclad to Battleship, with the Battleships having a lot more firepower than the standard game. Ironclads and cash give me a fleet of BB real fast, ditto on the Cruisers. The rest of the modern ships have been uprated as well. Since any attacker coming overland has a long way to go, navies are the critical element. Hence, the need for a port on the Indian Ocean. If wanted, I will post a save on the board for interested parties to play with. It is heavily modified. You have been warned.

 

[Theov]

Ok.
I think you mean that the problem is that you can not contact/attack the Maya and the Inca because you have no cities at the indian ocean.
- I should trade contacts with the Aztec, or build a city in 'east africa' or Saudi Arabia.
- You can also expand all over Russia and Rail everything - but you said that I shouldn't advice about your (lack of) cities.
But from your story it is very very very hard to figure out what the actual 'problem' is. Could as wel be the recourses you need for the ships you want to test or maybe you want to know who to attack first?

 

[timerover51]

Ok.
I think you mean that the problem is that you can not contact/attack the Maya and the Inca because you have no cities at the indian ocean.
- I should trade contacts with the Aztec, or build a city in 'east africa' or Saudi Arabia.
- You can also expand all over Russia and Rail everything - but you said that I shouldn't advice about your (lack of) cities.
But from your story it is very very very hard to figure out what the actual 'problem' is. Could as wel be the recourses you need for the ships you want to test or maybe you want to know who to attack first?

I could have been clearer. The problem is getting enough military force into the Indian Ocean to tackle the Maya and Inca. I figure that the Aztecs are going to take some time, but I can hit them effectively. I could keep running an Explorer to contact the Maya and the Inca, but building the necessary military base is the problem. With the map, civilizations on the Indian Ocean are quite isolated from those on the Atlantic and Med, giving them more time to develop. The other option is to start building in the area of China and try to move south from there against the Aztecs. I do have coal and therefore railroads, but rail cannot move ships. I am more curious as to how others would approach the map.

 

[TheOverseer714]

Problem solved. You can't move ships, but you can move shields and cash. Build a railroad to a coastal spot on the Indian Ocean. Build a city. Build a harbor in said city by cash-rushing, short-rushing, or a combo of those two methods. Then start building a fleet there the same way. Short rushing means dumping shields into a build by whipping if you have the right government or better, dumping shields from high production cities via disbanding units to push a project along. Finish by cash rushing at a discounted rate. You'll need lots of money and waste lots of good units, but it can be done. The other option is even more wasteful, so I won't even discuss it. Whispers "Palace Jump".

 

[Mursi lives]

The thumbs are small, but it looks like there is a single tile betwenn Mediterranean and Red Seas. Why dont you settle here?