Latest IGN preview (July 11)

[Watiggi]

I used Frederick, for an early advantage by culture and Great Persons, but they gave him Organized, and especially Creative was the trait I used. I think I'm not going to buy Warlords, cause I am a builder, not a warrior and now they also have changed almost all of the traits, so I think to think of a new strategy. Thanks, Sid!

Yeah, I'm with you on this one. I rather enjoyed the Philosophical/Creative combination. Pitty it's gone.

I do like it that it has become a game now which essentially requires us to relearn everything. I like that

I ahve a vague memory of the stable being mentioned somewhere as giving free Sentry or Movement bonus to horse units. I may be misremembering this though.

If that were true, that would fit in with the normal game. So the Stables would be more of a bonus to mounted units, instead of essential.

 

[Lars_Domus]

Holy Carnaging Crossbowmen, Batman!
The reshufling of the traits of Ghengis, Tokugawa, Mao and Qin Shi Huang will give a whole new meaning to the tip "Never fight a land war in Asia."

And Huayna Capac? We may not get the Maya, but at least they have finally given us a native American builder. And a super-builder at that! (Yes, I know that was Qin's old traits.) I am actually considering to forgo any of the brand new leaders or traits to play my first Warlords game as this guy. The hit to the Quechua's usefulness is a pity though, nothing beats a good Combat I stoneage city raider!

Also, many will be happy to see they nerfed charismatic (see the Churchill screenshot). I'm a bit dissapointed protective no longer benefits artillery, though (at least with the presumtion that "artillery" meant all siege units). I'd rather have drill siege than drill gunpowder.

All in all I'm impressed. I was expecting a few of the old leaders getting their traits changed (in particular those that were "overwritten" by new leaders), but now it's almost like a completely new game. Firaxis, consider yourself forgiven for making a war-themed expansion!

 

[Truronian]

If that were true, that would fit in with the normal game. So the Stables would be more of a bonus to mounted units, instead of essential.

It does seem to fit well, which is why I mentioned it without being able to find where I read it (or if I even read it ). Having a prerequisit building for mounted units seems a bit daft when you already have a prerequisit tech and a prerequisit resource.

I imagine the early game reshuffle is in part an attempt to shy players away from the axeman army. The Carthaginian UU looks like it going to be the axeman killer, while itself being vulnerable to other horsemen.

 

[AndreasS]

Oh'yeah, and thats definitly a great thing for gameplay!

Yes! This legendary game is going to raise to the heavens! God damn, I'm looking forward to this expansion. To bad it seems like we will have to wait until the 28th of july in Europe.....

 

[Watiggi]

Having a prerequisit building for mounted units seems a bit daft when you already have a prerequisit tech and a prerequisit resource.

Good point. The idea jumped into my head when I thought about Isabella having to build the Walls so she could build her UB (citadel, which replaces the Castle).

 

[icemanjsg]

dude how can mongols specail structure replace stables ? what is stables?

and julius ceaser was never creative, organsied?

 

[AndreasS]

dude how can mongols specail structure replace stables ? what is stables?

and julius ceaser was never creative, organsied?

Well, a couple of traits would perhaps be better, such as charismatic, imperialistic, expansive and aggressive, but you can look at it this way:

He was creative on the battlefield and in an military manner, he also was a great organizer, both military and society speaking....

 

[icemanjsg]

Also some peoples special structures seem amazing(looking at you England and Korea) whilst others seem TOTALY pathetic and useless Celtics (in general are just soo circumstantial) and Egypt

I hope someone else other than Genghis has my favourite two combo traits, I just don't like playing as him his colour is just ugly looks like poo is just spreading over the Map.

 

[marioflag]

Russian research institute seems too much unbalanced to be true it's like having a great library in every city!!!
If it's true Firaxis would have totally broken the balance of the game.

 

[icemanjsg]

When you capture a city with another civs specail structure does it revert back to its normal structure or does it stay as a ub?

 

[Watiggi]

Well, was Financial ever balanced when compared to Expansive? I don't think balance is what they are after. Maybe they are after making a range of leaders with various difficulties, some with obvious strategies (like Catherine now) and others not so obvious (like the Aztec UU).

and julius ceaser was never creative, organsied?

He was creative on the battlefield and in an military manner, he also was a great organizer, both military and society speaking....

I think he was refering to a statement in a review that Julius is Creative/Organised now, where in fact he is Expansive/Organised.

Oh, and icemanjsg, the Stables appear to be a new improvement that everyone can build.

 

[icemanjsg]

Oh, and icemanjsg, the Stables appear to be a new improvement that everyone can build.

Kewl thanks, i thought he could of meant to put barracks or something

 

[Panda]

Also some peoples special structures seem amazing(looking at you England and Korea) whilst others seem TOTALY pathetic and useless Celtics (in general are just soo circumstantial) and Egypt

I hope someone else other than Genghis has my favourite two combo traits, I just don't like playing as him his colour is just ugly looks like poo is just spreading over the Map.

Statement #1 is true.
Statement #2 is bizarre.

 

[AndreasS]

When you capture a city with another civs specail structure does it revert back to its normal structure or does it stay as a ub?

It was stated in another review (from IGN I guess) that captured cities will revert to the buildings the conquerrer can build himself. You can not undertake other Civs Unique buildings.......

 

[The Q-Meister]

A little concerned over some of the changes that have been made to the existing leaders.

Mao goes from Philosophical/Organized to Expansive/Protective?!? OK, I can live with the Protective part but Mao was FAR more philosophical than Expansive!! Jeez, it is somewhat incredible that none of the 5 English and French leaders, who remember have or had empires that expanded the entire globe and numerous continents don't have the "Expansive" trait but a modern Chinese leader, whose country traditionally has not been nearly as expansive or war-mongering, at least compared with Euro civs, gets the trait.

I find this change to be very bizarre, does anyone have any other changes they find dubious??

EDIT: Just saw Napoleon; how in the world do you not give a guy who conquered virtually all of continental Europe a Aggressive, Expansive, or Imperialistic trait?? How can someone who is known primarily for being a great general not be given any militaristic traits??? I don't get it. Does Firaxis seriously argue that Mao was MORE expansive than Napoleon?!?

 

[Shigga]

+2 Science per state religion building, am I the only one that thinks that this is a little over the top?

 

[AndreasS]

+2 Science per state religion building, am I the only one that thinks that this is a little over the top?

Yeah, it has been discussed. It also seems bizarre that the review further says: The University can only be built on Renaissance and later starts and becomes obsolete with the discovery of Computers...

Why do they make a wonder so overpowered it cant be built in normal games? Couldnt they just adjust it to 1 science extra per building, or making it obsolete much earlier?

 

[ChrTh]

Yeah, it has been discussed. It also seems bizarre that the review further says: The University can only be built on Renaissance and later starts and becomes obsolete with the discovery of Computers...

Why do they make a wonder so overpowered it cant be built in normal games? Couldnt they just adjust it to 1 science extra per building, or making it obsolete much earlier?

I think that's a typo. It can only be built on Renaissance and EARLIER starts.

I don't think +2 per building is really that big of a deal. Although combined with Spiral Minaret

 

[Watiggi]

Mao goes from Philosophical/Organized to Expansive/Protective?!? OK, I can live with the Protective part but Mao was FAR more philosophical than Expansive!! Jeez, it is somewhat incredible that none of the 5 English and French leaders, who remember have or had empires that expanded the entire globe and numerous continents don't have the "Expansive" trait but a modern Chinese leader, whose country traditionally has not been nearly as expansive or war-mongering, at least compared with Euro civs, gets the trait.

Good points. I don't know why they made it that way though. I could justify to myself why he got Expansive considering the size of China, but I don't know. Protective though does work for both the Chinese and that is going to make them rather tough I think. Philosophical/Protective would be a pretty good combination.

EDIT: Just saw Napoleon; how in the world do you not give a guy who conquered virtually all of continental Europe a Aggressive, Expansive, or Imperialistic trait?? How can someone who is known primarily for being a great general not be given any militaristic traits??? I don't get it. Does Firaxis seriously argue that Mao was MORE expansive than Napoleon?!?

Yeah, this one has me floored. First things first though, the Protective, Charismatic and Imperialistic traits are all militaristic traits. So after a while it isn't that big a thing. The charismatic trait will promote faster. The Organised trait will allow for bigger empires. But how on earth Cyrus got Imperialistic/Charismatic over Napoleon is beyond me.

I don't think +2 per building is really that big of a deal. Although combined with Spiral Minaret

I'm thinking that it is for every state religion building in your empire (like temples, monastaries, etc). That would be - I think - a total of 6 per city...possibly 8 beakers per city. Plus it would accumulate in the city with the University. Combine that with the Oxford University and what not and I think you'll have a research super city. I think it will become the "Shrine of Research" personally.

Why do they make a wonder so overpowered it cant be built in normal games? Couldnt they just adjust it to 1 science extra per building, or making it obsolete much earlier?

I think the University is fine. There was a time when the Great Library gave quite a bit. Now I think this one will. I like it. It will create some distinct diversity in each game.

Watiggi

 

[AndreasS]

Eureka! Now I think I know what this means, and its not that overpowered anymore: Russian Research Institute, replaces Library
+2 free Scientists.

I think they mean the building adds 2 more to the Great Person growth, towards Great Scientist. That would make sense, and dont make it too good, compared to the other UB......

Agree?