Keeping up with AI in resersh (Warlord)

[Aramda Master]

I started playing Warlord a few weeks ago (I played Cheiftain for most of 2003 and 2004), and I am having a bit of trouble keeping up with the AI resersh. Every single time I switch to Moarchy I have to keep disbanding my army just to get a good balance for the national budget. How do I keep up with the AI in resesh on Warlord and above?

 

[Dida]

I am playing Monarch, I feel it is too easy, cus I am twice as powerful as the next 2 most powerful civ combined. Now to address your question, I would say, build mroe cities. Cites are the fundamental of everything, the more the better, keep pumping out those holy settlers. Build cities closer together in the early stage if you find lands to be in short supply.

 

[Tomoyo]

You are probably doing something basic wrong. Are you expanding enough? ARe you building enough workers? Are you building enough roads? Did you select Sid instead of Warlord?

 

[North King]

I started playing Warlord a few weeks ago (I played Cheiftain for most of 2003 and 2004), and I am having a bit of trouble keeping up with the AI resersh. Every single time I switch to Moarchy I have to keep disbanding my army just to get a good balance for the national budget. How do I keep up with the AI in resesh on Warlord and above?

Well, I coincidentally play Warlord.

The problem seems to be that you are losing a considerable amount of money and yet still not getting anywhere in research.

The first thing that comes to mind, that has been said before: Are you expanding enough? I would generally expand as fast as you can, take up as much land as you want. You don't even need to escort your settlers (unless there is a barbarian nearby), just send them out and settle. Build a spearmen, perhaps something inbetween, then a settler. Build another city. Rinse, repeat. You'll have a massive empire. And oddly, the AI will rarely, if ever declare war, and even if it does, the most you will lose is the outer ring of cities, the inner ones will be defended and will have enough time to build up to kill them. Seriously, someone raiding your cities is a VERY minor problem on Warlord (which is why I'm considering moving up).

Second biggest thing: Build workers. Dozens of them. This is probably your second biggest priority early on after settlers. Road every single tile in your empire. Either mine or irrigate the tiles after they have been roaded. You MUST NOT just build these slowly with a few. Massive amounts of workers are key, that way you can get your infrastructure up quickly. Lots of roads means a lot more cash.

Third Biggest thing: Improvements. Build more markets for money. Build libraries, these will immensely help in both culture and getting more science.

Also, remember, you don't need that big of a military. Early on, I'd say two defenders in every city, and when you plan on attacking someone in the ancient age, a force of 10-20 will do. That's pretty easily supported by Monarchy.

 

[Tomoyo]

I would like to add that defenders suck and should only be stationed in border cities since fast offensive troops can kill any invaders immediately and defensive troops where you don't want to be defending take up a lot of unit support. Republic is better for gold/research, but has less unit support, so you need to know what you need and what you don't.

 

[Zelda's Man]

Also remember that trade in the AA is the best way to stay even. The AI are trading their techs so make sure you are in the mix. You can't outresearch 7 civs on a standard map, even on warlord. Typically, if you go straight for republic, you will be the first to learn it and can trade it to the other civs for all the other techs in the AA. This strategy actually works really well all the way to Emporer. You have to be lucky to get it on any higher level. Of course, as the others have mentioned, you need several cities and tiles improved by workers to accomplish this.

 

[tR1cKy]

I suggest you to post a save. In warlord you should be ok in budget and research. There must be something very wrong in the way you're playing.

 

[BlackJAC]

Did you select Sid instead of Warlord?

I've just spat my water over the keyboard after reading that.

 

[Aramda Master]

I suggest you to post a save. In warlord you should be ok in budget and research. There must be something very wrong in the way you're playing.

Umm.. The city governors are responibal for building infasturture when I am playing a game.

 

[microbe]

Umm.. The city governors are responibal for building infasturture when I am playing a game.

Yeah, now we see what's fundamentally wrong with your game play. Do not use governors.

 

[Total War]

Yup, never use governors. Taking control of your city production is the first thing you need to do.

Roads are also essencial in the early parts of the game. Connect all your cities together with roads and luxuries within your borders. Early on, I always make sure luxuries are connected to cities before resources. Also, if you are still under despotism, try mining grassland tiles and other tiles that normally give you 2 food becuase they will not produce more food until you change your government, even if you irrigate them.

Really, unless you have a poor starting location, you should be able to keep up with the AI in just about every regard in Regent and Warlord. Once you get to Monarch and Emperor, things start getting a little more challenging!

 

[El Dorko Grande]

My advice ALWAYS is: Start micromanaging everything, don't automate anything.

That's the simplest way to get your Civ near perfection

 

[Chazbagel]

You are probably doing something basic wrong. Are you expanding enough? ARe you building enough workers? Are you building enough roads? Did you select Sid instead of Warlord?

LOL did you select sid instead of warlord. I love you Tomoyo. lol. thats hilarious.

 

[citizen001]

Post a save so we can see your progress.

 

[Blackbird_SR-71]

try to get research a tech the other AIs don't have. then use that as a bargining chip to push yourself in the lead. get deals that will give you gpt. that will slow down the Ais research

 

[Trotskij]

Trade much

 

[Daghdha]

Amen to that . At the end of each turn press F4 and see what your "friends" have to offer. Make deals, buy a tech that only one civ has and sell it pronto (same turn) to all the others. Start selling to the richest since techs become cheaper when they're known by many
Hook up lux fast so you can keep lux slider low. A nice claret is always appreciated by your humble servants
Most of all: Sack the Gov!

 

[Admiral8Q]

My advice would be to continue practicing until you feel comfortable on Warlord.

Did you select Sid instead of Warlord?

Good one!

 

[Tycoon101]

Be The First To Get Philosophy! If You Already have Mathematics and Ironworking you could get Construction, But I Usually go for Mapmaking. Also, fight your way! Use spies are declare war and capture more cities to bring them down and you up!

 

[dresdor]

To Reinterate what's been said:

1. Keep popping out cities. You can never have too many cities. Well you can, but you don't need to worry about it. Just keep building settlers and founding cities. Rarely will you get one city working an entire 21-square spread, so don't worry about that. Pack them in.

2. Build a lot of workers. An army of workers can improve every square around a city in a few turns. You want to concentrate efforts as much as possible. Workers are weak, and a liability, and by having them together you can defend them easier as well.

3. Never let the governers or automatic movement or anything AI touch your game. You're the one playing, you do it.

4. Take your time. Never rush a turn. This is true in Civ 3 and in Chess. You move too fast, you make a blunder. (Like using a leader to rush a harbor, tR1cKy ). Always make sure the AI doesn't have anything you'd like to buy or is wanting to buy something you can sell.

5. Never expect the AI to keep their word. Or rather, don't rely on it.