Is there any 1 civ better than the rest

[Agni Neres]

Several posters have noted there is not one best civ, and that playing style and intended method of victory dictate which civs make the best choices for a given game. Agree 100%

A slightly different question may actually have an answer, however: What is the best civ for a beginner to learn with? Here is my shot at it:

Given how important culture is in the new Civ3, one of the best traits for a beginner to have is Religious. Commercial and Industious require a good bit of skill to milk thoroughly. Did I just read somewhere that the Romans keep getting wasted? There's why. That leaves Military and Science, both of which are the traditional keys to Civ. Looking for only these three traits narrows the beginner civ list to:

Germany (Sci + Mil)
Japan (Rel + Mil)
Aztec (Rel + Mil)
Babs (Rel + Sci)

I have not tried the Aztecs yet, but the Japanese Samurai is a fantastic unit bringing a Golden Age at a great time, early middle ages when you are big enough to get a serious bonus and not so big that its unnoticeable. From what I read, the Aztec might make a good civ for beginner trying to learn the rush strategy with Jag Warrior. The Babs have always been superior for infrastructure. And the Germans offer a late-game special unit to practice with, as well as 'historical enemies' England and France who also have a while to wait for their GA.

Would like to hear what others may think on this?

Cheers,
Agni

 

[Grendel]

I agree 95% that the best civ depends on your strategy. Why not 100%? One word: Persia.

At first glance it seems you'd like Persia if you were the technologically-oriented type, because one of their attributes is scientific.

But look again: If you're militaristic, the Persian Immortal is huge. With the same attack value as the knight, they're an entire era ahead of the spearman. And since scientific civs start with bronze working, your first advance can be iron working. Having discovered that, you can seek out the sources of iron and begin producing Immortals and then proceed to systematically wipe out your neighbors. It's easily within reach to clear off your entire continent before the middle ages even start.

Now, if you're the culture-oriented type, note that the Persians aren't too shabby there, either, because they're scientific. Cheap libraries mean lots of culture. And, having a continent to yourself means lots and lots of culture.

If you like to build infrastructure, the Persains are great again because they're industrious, and workers are twice as fast. Add that to the fact that you'll literally have swarms of captured workers thanks to your aggressive military campaign. Before Railroad, in my last game I had dozens of workers sitting around doing nothing because I had improved every single tile on my continent. After Railroad they went back to work for a brief frenzy, then had nothing to do again. Add those excess workers to your cities and reap the benefits of a good infrastructure!

As for commercial benefits, having such a well-developed infrastructure and a continent to yourself really brings in the $$$.

In short, the Persians are Scientific and Industrious. Use their overwhelming early Militaristic tendency to be aggressively Expansionist, and you'll soon reap the benefits of a Commercial civ. The only thing you're missing, I guess, is Religious (though as I pointed out, you're not likely to suffer culture-wise).

 

[Daaraa]

I've only really played one civ. The Germans.
So I am biased in thinking they are the best.
My reasoning?

Commercial - I can simulate this by being picky in city placements and developing the land well.
Industrious - Same as Commercial.
Expansionist - I don't care much for what they get.
Religious - I don't switch goverments much so not a big deal.
Scientific - Cheap libraries make great cultural expansion early. Random tech is well, too random but nice anyway.
Militarialistic - Barracks are cheap = Veteren Units. Promotions come quick so I've got a lot of elite units. Other than that no big deal

Also, Panzers come later on so the Golden Age is likely to happen when most of the empire is developed.

But I want to try the rest in my next game whenever that will be.

 

[adarel]

#1 - French ... I like fast workers and the commercial aspect helps to slow down corruption a bit.. and i like the French


#2 - Persia ... Scientific.. cheap libraries.. good for culture and science.
Industrious... again.. fast settlers


#3 - Babylonia .. if i'm in a conquering mood.. i go for babylon.. always had
great luck with the red..





-ada

 

[Sixchan]

I agree with the above post. The French kick ass! Not to mention having the best-looking leader too. And when I put the low corruption mod on, I was ruling my own continent, and suffering little corruption, so I put my money into science, and had Democracy very early! Which means...

¥¥¥¥!!

 

[DavesWorld]

The question is innane; there is no "best". There are only qualities that combine with your prefered play personality and/or playstyle. Seek out within yourself how you play and approach games like this and then decide what will combine best with your personal strengths.

I told a friend of mine, who was not getting along very well with CivilizationIII at all (and who normally doesn't play these types of games), that Civ is more like a discipline than it is a game. By that I meant, and mean, playing Civilization is like Kata for strategy gamers. It flexes and strengthens your strategic mind.

 

[knowltok]

While there may be no one BEST civ, there are certain civs that will better in certain situations. A tiny Pangea cries out for the Persians. If you can survive the Aztecs that is. Despite everyone's love of the french, I wouldn't take them unless I had some room to grow.
I am trying the Babylonians right now going for a cultural victory. I have bypassed my golden age and have never been at war. I am even with the best in Tech, and have started to assimilate a few cities. I have about as much land as everyone else. Time will tell, but it is hard to argue with scientific and religious if you are looking for a cultural win.