Invading Another Continent Before Galleons

[civverguy]

I am currently playing an always-war game and there is one civ left on my continent but I haven't contacted any other civs on the other continent. There will probably be a lot of ocean between the two continents so it would be hard to launch an invasion before I can build galleons since most of my boats would sink. Should I invade before I get galleons or will it be too risky. The reason I want to invade before I get galleons is because I don't want the AI to build a decent infrastructure and have a big military and also they can attack my own continent with units from their galleons.

 

[psweetman1590]

If you can find a safe passage to the other continent, then go ahead and invade with caravels. If you don't have safe passage, don't risk it. It truly sucks to lose caravels full of troops.

 

[WackenOpenAir]

Just use your time until you can sail the oceans properly to build a better infrastructure

 

[wntrmute]

I like letting the AI build up what will shortly be my infrastructure.
Also, getting 10-15 free workers from those big cities rocks.

 

[Son_Of_Dido]

I think you can go from Astronomy to Navigation directly, which is quicker than going through the path to Magnetism (which requires at least physics as a prerequisite and I think maybe something else, too), and I belive Navigation will allow you to safely cross ocean tiles.

Don't worry about a counterattack via their galleons though: the AI is notoriously bad at naval invasions. If they do have galleons and come after you, they'll come in small, manageable spurts, sometimes even just unloading ONE invading unit.

 

[Aceman101]

...sometimes even just unloading ONE invading unit.

In my current game America unloaded one unit every time.

 

[Aabraxan]

. . . . If they do have galleons and come after you, they'll come in small, manageable spurts, sometimes even just unloading ONE invading unit.

My quick 2¢ on the AI's handling of naval invasions: it seems like the AI always tries to land at the same spot over and over. That spot usually becomes known as "the kill zone." I'd say invading with caravels ought to be fine. If you beeline to galleons, you won't have many caravels on the water, anyway.

 

[Desertsnow]

In my current game America unloaded one unit every time.

In my current game Zulu--Shaka, no less--was unloading in ones and twos. Sakes.

 

[civverguy]

My quick 2¢ on the AI's handling of naval invasions: it seems like the AI always tries to land at the same spot over and over. That spot usually becomes known as "the kill zone." I'd say invading with caravels ought to be fine. If you beeline to galleons, you won't have many caravels on the water, anyway.

Actually, the AI lands units in places where there's little to no garrison.

 

[SG-17]

but in the modern times, they unload huge amounts of units, several transports at a time

 

[Son_Of_Dido]

Something else that may be of note to the Original Poster (in re: crossing the ocean to invade the other continent):

The oft-maligned Expansionist/Seafaring Portugese and their equally maligned UU, the 2/2/4(+1 for seafaring) Carrack, which replaces the caravel, does have one advantage that would be very useful in this instance: It does NOT have the "sinks in ocean tiles" flag checked and, therefore, can safely cross ocean tiles and bring your invaders across the ocean to the other continent prior to researching Navigation OR Magnetism. (though you would still need those techs to open up trade routes over the ocean tiles).

So there is that other way over the ocean...

 

[civverguy]

Something else that may be of note to the Original Poster (in re: crossing the ocean to invade the other continent):

The oft-maligned Expansionist/Seafaring Portugese and their equally maligned UU, the 2/2/4(+1 for seafaring) Carrack, which replaces the caravel, does have one advantage that would be very useful in this instance: It does NOT have the "sinks in ocean tiles" flag checked and, therefore, can safely cross ocean tiles and bring your invaders across the ocean to the other continent prior to researching Navigation OR Magnetism. (though you would still need those techs to open up trade routes over the ocean tiles).

So there is that other way over the ocean...

I am playing as Rome not Portugal though.

 

[Sashie VII]

You should probably send some boats to bust some fog and find sea crossing paths across the ocean, if any. IMO you need more information than you have now to decide on this. In the meantime it's best to prepare your nation for the showdown.