Keeping up with tech

[Ruffin]

So far I've played a half dozen short games (to about 1AD on Prince and King) and have had my head handed to me each time. The reason is that I can't keep up with tech. Whether I concentrate in a few cities or spread out, there's never enough commerce to both pay for granaries, temples, etc. and research both. So by 1000BC I'm at a distinct disadvantage and by 1AD I'm being buried by my neighbors.

I've tried gold, setting cities to produce cash, not building improvements (just settlers), buying tech every chance I get, and keeping my military small. Nothing seems to work. Improving the government is hopeless as each advance is 30+ turns at that level. The AI doesn't seem to have this problem.

Any suggestions?

 

[Dearmad]

What level of gameplay you're at would help a lot...



I not only kept up but in 1820 when the Zulu declared war on me I had 2 mutual protection pacts activated on them, plus I bribed two other civs into allying with, and they bribed the two others into allying and now it's WWI!!! weeehoooo- landed marines and infantry, obliterated a Zulu city on the beach, bombed the F out of four others, and loved watching the world's greatest democracy crumble literally into anarchy!

What a game!!!

level 2 difficulty- warlord?

Can't wait to up the diff. a notch and have my ass handed to me.

 

[Ruffin]

Difficulty level is Prince and King (or Regent and...? Whatever the new ones are. Thought I mentioned that). I started on King since that's where I usually play (and rule) on all the previous incarnations of Civ. The first game was over QUICK - run down the first time I tried to fight. It got progressively better with the only recurring problems being tech and the AI infiltrating settlers through my lines and building cities in my territory.

 

[Dearmad]

The "secret" I found to advancing in tech is to realize the new paradigm ruling over the entire game...

-ahem-


TRADE!

Yes, it now important to realize that your enemies are trading techs all over the place behind your back... so get in on that game and play it hard core. Don't research waht you can trade and don't be afraid to trade a tech+$ to get only a tech back- at least it keeps you in the game... And in some cases will help you win it.

 

[miradus]

Tech trading is indeed a key element. The AI is rarely more than a few techs far behind, and when you see that horde of spearmen it isn't usually because they don't know how to build something better ... they either dont have the resources or don't have the money to upgrade. AI seems to be usually broke.

I hold on to a tech just long enough to get a good head start on a wonder and then trade it away. The only thing I really wish you could trade for was units. I'd like to be able to trade a couple of my musketeers for luxuries to that civ who has everything but can't seem to research its way out of the stone age.

 

[Diety]

Even trading 1 science for 2 sciences is still good, because they trade all their science behind your back ! they will get that second science anyway, so why not give it to them and get something out of it ?

I always have "trade turns" : one turn where I trade with everyone. That way I can get the most out of it because I give the same sciences to everyone in return for something (anything really). No need to give it to only one civ because he will give it to the others anyway.

 

[miradus]

I use the really beefy techs to trade for ones I don't have or my particular favorite ... MONEY. In Civ 3, the key to everything seems to be money. You need it for everything from troop support to adding a little extra incentive in your trade deals.

 

[catmandu]

Originally posted by miradus
AI seems to be usually broke.

Actually, I was wondering how the AI ever gets any FOOD, since it seems to build mines on EVERY AVAILABLE SQUARE.
Is this actually a viable strategy? Or is the AI cheating food? I assume he'd get a ton of shields...