Isolation Strategy?

[Xiao Xiong]

Hi all,

What's the best strategy for coping with isolation? In a recent game I found myself on severe isolation, although it seemed my island had some pretty reasonable land. Even after building a trireme and circling the island, even after +1 across water, still could not find any sign of anyone. Eventually it took caravels to end my isolation.

It seems to me in this case there are two basic strategies:

1. Beeline to caravels to make contact ASAP

2. Ignore the rest of the world and concentrate on building out the island

And two further alternatives with either of those:

a) Grow 4-6 cities "normally"

b) REX the island, given that you don't need much military, maybe plan never to expand off the island

In my case I tried 1b and it didn't work well. I had really bad luck with the barbs: lion ate my scout, had to scramble to beat back the vedic horde, and I lost *two* escorted settlers (and associated warrior). On top of all that the barbs got axes before I did, but that might be because I didn't rush to develop my iron given the isolation I was in.

Maybe that was bad luck.

Anyway, I'm curious what you think the most appropriate strategy is?

I've posted a save. Unfortunately I didn't save at the point I realized I was isolated so if you want to try to be fair play "normally" until you hit the point you realize you are actually isolated.

 

[BigTime]

If you want some good advice, I would look at the Lonely Hearts Club series. It has many strategies for coping with isolation. There are 50+ games which you can see many different strategies people use.

Here is the link to the bullpen: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=250960

 

[CLST]

You generally want something between 1 and 2.

 

[Groogaroo]

If you want some good advice, I would look at the Lonely Hearts Club series. It has many strategies for coping with isolation. There are 50+ games which you can see many different strategies people use.

Here is the link to the bullpen: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=250960

and the host for lonley hearts series has also written a strategy article on isolated starts,

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=268883

 

[BigTime]

and the host for lonley hearts series has also written a strategy article on isolated starts,

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=268883

Thanks sorry I missed that.

 

[Xiao Xiong]

Thanks guys I hadn't noticed the LHC before, I'm going to read through and then retry my game, see how much better I do this time!

I read the first bit and some of the problems mentioned are exactly what happened to me: All I had to trade when i made contact was optics and astronomy, and I got nailed hard by barbs.

I'll try and do better fog busting and maybe research something different, and I'll read through that thread and see what other ideas there are. I kind of am looking forward to this because it's a chance to practice optimizing my cottaging or GP strategy, something I never really do well because I usually get locked into wars with the AI so early that I have to neglect that aspect a bit.

 

[Gliese 581]

My strategy on deity is to give up.

On lower difficulties it gets more detailed.

 

[TheMeInTeam]

My strategy on deity is to give up.

On lower difficulties it gets more detailed.

I actually won a deity iso game ---> LHC Stalin .

 

[Infantry#14]

another strategy is select no barbarians

 

[Xiao Xiong]

another strategy is select no barbarians

Assuming you know in advance you're playing an isolation match? I found out I was isolated only after my scout mapped out my island.

 

[TheMeInTeam]

Spawnbusting > barbs, even in isolation.