Just got Conquests - What to try first?

[Xerol]

(It should be noted that I haven't actually installed it yet. I want to finish GOTM44 first in case it somehow messes up my vanilla installation.)

Ok, this isn't a "what's different in conquests" thing. I know about the additional traits, leaders, a little about the terrain, and that radio is removed and ironclads require an optional tech. Enough to get me started at least. What I AM looking for is some advice on where to start.

I'm a solid Monarch and average Emperor player on Vanilla. I generally prefer a very peaceful game, only warring against weak civs early to increase territory with little risk.

So, a few questions:

1) Which difficulty and map settings should I try first?
2) Should I dive in with a civ with the new traits in my first game, or should I use an "old" civ to get used to the new mechanics first?
3) Depending on your answer to #3, which civs SHOULD I start with?

Also, there's apparently scenarios that come with the game as well. Are these any good for learning the game?

Keep in mind it'll probably be a week or so before I even install it, so I've got time to figure some things out before then.

 

[vmxa]

I have not played any of the scenarios, so I cannot answer that question. If you do play them, check to see if any updated versions exist.

I would say the mechanics are not going to be much of a factor, so you can try a new civ or a familiar one. Do note if its traits have been changed and if it is industrial, that trait has been toned down.

I would say if you find emperor to not always be a lock, play Monarch first. Of course patch to 1.22F. Remember the FP is no longer as strong as it was and armies are much stronger.

 

[bingen]

1) Same or 1 level above. Archipelago.
2) Try the new traits
3) Dutch

 

[CoolioVonHoolio]

i like the rise of rome scienario. since your good on monarch in vanilla try rise of rome on demi-god (its quite easy with your legionarys)

and try the new difficulty settings to see where you stand with the new ones.

 

[Xerol]

Gah, I had the intro movie disabled for vanilla but how do I get rid of it for Conquests? It COMPLETELY messes up my desktop and start menu even after I exit(the entire screen area is 640x480, but the screen is set to 1280x800, and it won't go back until I reboot).

EDIT: I tried to download the 1.22 patch for conquests from civ3.com but it says the download file is unavailable. Anyone else encountered this problem?

EDIT2: Here's the page: http://www.firaxis.com/downloads_detail.cfm?file_id=74

 

[HellboundHeathcliff]

Add PlayIntro=0 to the conquests.ini file (created when 1st game started.)

The 1.22 patch is available here at civfanatics somewhere.

The conquests themselves have many different rule changes from the epic game but are a lot of fun to play.

 

[Xerol]

Ok, that works, thanks.

Now I've got tons of issues with missing sound files...I'm just replacing them with a 1 second blank mp3 as I find them. Does anyone have a list of all of the mp3 files in their install? I'm not asking for the files themselves, just the list.

 

[HellboundHeathcliff]

Unless your installation is screwed up, there shouldn't be any sound file issues.

 

[vmxa]

C3C has 50 wav files in the sound folder. The subs have at least a dozen more and about that many mp3 files.

That does not count any that may be in use from the C3 files.

 

[Xerol]

I've got the wavs, but not a single mp3. I've just been using a 1 second mp3 file and replacing them as I find missing files. It's getting really annoying though. The Conquests and PTW directories seem to be having all of the files, so it's probably from my vanilla installation(which was done about 5 years ago, and 3 PCs ago, and copied about 9 times). I probably deleted them to save disk space at one point or another.

 

[HellboundHeathcliff]

It'd be alot easier just to reinstall.

 

[vmxa]

Compare the Sounds folder in C3C to C3 and see what is missing. Actually only the subdirectories in the sound folder.

 

[Xerol]

The subfolders in the conquests sound folder are completely different. And I haven't seen my Vanilla CD for about 2 1/2 years. I had to add another set of files for diplomacy(it kept crashing on meeting somebody) and another set when I tried to make peace. I'm surprised it hasn't crashed due to middle age background music yet.

I'm playing the Dutch, as suggested, and hot damn agricultural is overpowered. Went straight out for Philosophy, grabbed Map Making as free tech and got a SGL. Rushed pyramids, and Amsterdam was growing every 2 turns and making 11spt. I then grabbed the Colossus which triggered my GA(one turn after switching to republic, too) and I used that time to build up on techs(I've got a 7-tech lead over everyone but India, who is only 2 behind) and infrastructure. I just did random everything on the map and got a TON of jungle and marsh, but lots of workers are working on that now. My first suicide curragh made it across and made contacts with the other two civs(I had Celts, America, and China on my home continent, and Zulu and India on the other.) The extra movement point from seafaring is really helping out in the war against the chinese, I took two galleys with medieval infantry around and slammed their iron city(unfortunately it was autorazed, I was looking to keep it so I could build more. China had the only surplus and I attacked them right after the deal expired.) The map's on Monarch by the way. Swiss Mercenaries are just 200% awesome, it's like having half-priced muskets at the beginning of the Middle Ages. I tried a Treb/Swiss Merc/Longbow combo after the Iron dried up but it doesn't seem to be very effective. Trebs seem to miss about 75% of the time. (Question: When bombarding, does the river bonus apply to the defending unit?)

Anyway, this game looks to be a lock(not sure what victory I'll go for, but I'm far enough ahead to take my pick) so I'll try emperor next. How much of a jump is it from Emperor to Diety? I'm thinking of maybe putting my feet into the water with the COTM.

 

[Himalia]

I dont think the jump is all that big. If you can take the AI on Emperor you can probably take it on Deity.

 

[Xerol]

Well, I'm talking about Vanilla Emperor to Conquests Diety. C3C Demigod is the same as Vanilla Diety, right? I've never won a vanilla Diety game that wasn't heavily stacked in my favor. And this COTM...doesn't look easy.

 

[Doc Tsiolkovski]

Yes, Vanilla Deity is pretty much C3C DG in many ways, especially the not-so-obvious ones (like Goody Hut outcomes).
But, I do not think the jump is that huge - if you can really beat Emperor. Any start, not thoese 2 Cows ones only.
Otherwise, DG will be challenging enough.

Another good approach for C3C is the Mesopotamia Conquest, with Phoenicia. Most of the Conquests are fun; except for RoR, which is more tedious than a regular game (you may enjoy it nevertheless if you enjoy the theme - but as a short scenario, it's a failure).

 

[P32zz]

One civ that's got a LOT more powerful in C3C is England. In Vanilla they were one of the worst including the most useless unique unit but in C3C Man-Of-War is incredibly powerful. Play a medium or large archi map with at least 70% water and you'll be able to give all your opponents hell. If you want to do it even earlier then go for Byzantines, their UU can halt the AI's development to a standstill.

If you play achipelagos the best trait is seafaring. Overall though the strongest one is without a doubt agricultural - it's like having a slightly scaled down version of the Pyramids for free! If you play it right you grow way faster than the AI (not talking about the crazy difficulty levels though ).

One thing that's changed I believe is that you can't rush large wonders with military great leaders so keep that in mind.

Have fun... it's not perfect but I have never touched Vanilla since I got C3C.