Large SID domination, is it possible?

[Moonsinger]

If you just want a quick domination, may be you should try something easier. Take the Celts for example, you just need to research Iron Working, since you could easily trade for Bronze Working dirt cheap (assuming you have pre-selected more than one civs that begin with Bronze Working). The Gallic Swordman is far more fun than horseman, IMO.

 

[osi]

After those three maps, I'll try something else... perhaps those Celts?

I also start to think that it might be easier to win on bigger land mass, as with 80% water maps there is so little land (expansionist AI will find each other instantly). And because of the insane tech pace I'm usually learning Rebublic when AI comes to visit me with cavalry ...

 

[denyd]

Or try Persia on a Panagea map.

You can go IW and start pumping out Immortals right away. Pick no SCI & IND opponents (and no Greece, Carthage & Rome) and you should have a big head start towards the GL as well, plus no defenders above a 2 which will help offset the AI unit quantity advantage. On that type map, I'd select seafaring opponents and no barbarians. That would somewhat reduce the power of the AI a little more. Of course, you're still dealing with a SID AI and a big research and unit disadvantage.

 

[osi]

Tried Maya.... next Celts as Maya's agricultural trait is waisted on this setup.

Below is a couple of Maya starts, it's quite crowded as you can see from the pictures.

2_crowded.jpg is from 3200BC where my first setler is produced.
3_crowded.jpg is from 3650BC!!!

 

[osi]

Almost managed to win with Celts, which is a shame because the map was really nice. I've learned couple of things along the way and soon should be able to win.

Below is a picture of my "scientists" taking a leap in science (London has Great Library). Altough I managed to get and hold that city, it was not enough. France was way too powerfull...

 

[Own]

Shouldn't be in monarchy. You need more money for tech steals. Republic all the way. Just keep your wars short and to the point (like getting a strategic resource or luxury) to avoid war wariness. When you don't need to steal anymore, and are ready for an all out war to try to take out a civ, switch to monarchy or commie (ah, the power of religious).

 

[osi]

I did change to rebublic as soon as I got it from the GL.

btw. I have almost never used technology stealing as it seems to be too expensive and the result is always war.

 

[Own]

When compared to costs of trading, it's dirt cheap. Just steal from a civ far away from you, and if need be, defend yourself with an MA.

 

[osi]

I already tought that I was going to win.... how wrong I was.

Anyway, below (or above) is a save from 1190. At this point I did think that I could finally win on SID level. But two turns later the hitties attacked (they had MPP with england) and the poor human player did not have any change of surviving.

 

[osi]

Changed to Ottomans as the celts were no good. Also changed from pangage map to continets, this way I need to deal with only 3-4 civs on my continent. Also I think that ottoman siphai is quite usefull with 8.3.3, at least it has a bit better possibilities to take infantry than ordinary cavalry.

Current game is progressing really well...

 

[Dianthus]

Good luck with that OSI! Have you tried the Chinese Rider? That's what Moonsinger used for her 400AD Huge Sid Conquest game. I've used these on lower levels and they're pretty cool. Of course, Sid is a different matter .

 

[osi]

Yep, on lower levels the chinese rider might work nicely. Perhaps I try to improve some of my large domination dates...

 

[osi]

Just to let you know.... I finally did beat the SID AI!!! Altough the result of domination @ 1600AD and score of ~10K is not great, it's still a victory

 

[Pentium]

Congratulations, osi!

Every sid victory is great, I believe. Good work!

 

[Own]

Man I'm sick with envy. Congrats!

 

[Mistfit]

Very Nice Game osi I've not ever even attempted SID... I may just have to try it out before cIV comes out

 

[osi]

And here is a short "writeup".