Just got it!

[unionguy]

I just recently aquired the game and I must say this game was shocking in its complexity. Maybe Im just too new at this to say so but even on the eaistist difficulty the game is really fustrating.

Even with a trainer - my gun man still get their ass's kicked by knightmen, how can that be!?!

I city with 10 garrisons of warriors and spearmen still get over run by 3 or less enemy units, but I guess thats where shields come into play.

Keeping civil order in the game is hard. I would really like some tips how to keep people happy, because I loose half the time because of it.

I like the game - a complex stratedgy game not of this world. Just at times fustrating.

 

[Rooker]

You need to read the manual.

You've made some wrong assumptions, that is what is killing you. The shields for instance hasn't anything to do with defence. They meassure the current production of the city.

I'm sorry to send you running for your manual, but I don't see how anyone could possible post a reply better than the maual.

Try checking out the screen charts they are really good.

Good news is the game is well worth the effort.

Happy gaming, and welcome to the experience

 

[Mr Spice]

Civ 3 is a completely different game from the two previous ones, so one advice is to instantly forget everything you learned about them and begin from scratch. Some keys are:

Large military
Buying technologies
Expansion to get luxuries and resources
Conquest
Build mines on grasslands to increase production

The strategy-forum might also be a good place for you to search for hints and advice.

 

[Jason Fox]

And use the game itself. I had never played any turn based strategy game before Civ3 (and very few games overall) and I looked up anything I didn't already know and rarely used the manual after the first day or so. Everything is there (read the definition for shields, as an example, and you'll know instantly they are simply a way to measure production ability) and I think it's about the easiest and most useful "help" tool I've ever encounter (again, though, with limited experience.)

Keep reading the posts here, too. Many people have a lot of experience and are genuinely helpful.

 

[Lefty Scaevola]

Much of the built in base for the games, the previous civ2 players, had been demanding a more challenging game. Civ3 was more challenging than many of them were expecting. And as you can tell from many of the complaints posted here, the new challenges were often in unexpected and unwanted areas.

 

[eyrei]

Originally posted by Lefty Scaevola
Much of the built in base for the games, the previous civ2 players, had been demanding a more challenging game. Civ3 was more challenging than many of them were expecting. And as you can tell from many of the complaints posted here, the new challenges were often in unexpected and unwanted areas.

I think some of them just wanted a new level higher than deity.

 

[sealman]

Welcome aboard. It is a fun and addicting game once you get the hang of it.

The manual is the best place to start and the strategy guides, here and in the store, may be of help as well.

Don't forge us for specific problems and advice. There are some really great players in these forums with advice on all aspects of the game.

Don't be afraid to ask.

 

[Fanny Brice]

Happiness --

* build roads to "luxury" resources
* In certain governments, keep some troops in the city (Martial Law)
* Build, Temples, Collusiums, etc. Police stations later in the game at times of war.
* Build WONDERS
* use the slider bar in the domestic advisor screen (F1). You shouldn't need to overdo it through

Use the "Civolopedia" extensively. It is very helpful for the most part (although brief).


Units --

some units are better for defense than attack.

don't be afraid to disband old units in order to make up-to-date ones. A city full of warriors will not stand an attack from Knights.


play on the easier levels. I've played Civ and Civ 2 for years but had to humble myself and play on the easier levels until I got used to how the computer worked. And, maybe limit the number of other civs in the game too. Gives you a little breathing room.

Good luck

 

[erix]

And after reading the manual don't forget to read patch readme files. (If you applied the patches). :crazyeyes