Learning Harder Dif = Marathon?

[SickCycle]

I just started a game on the Earth map playing as Genghis using Marathon and I noticed something, I've been trying to move up a level to Monarch and the cost of techs and pretty much everything on Marathon is dramatic, it forces you to really pick only what you absolutely need and really streamline the process of picking techs and units.

I think Marathon would be a good way to force yourself to get into the habit of only going after what you absolutely must have.

What do you guys think? Is playing on Marathon a good way to learn to up your difficulty, I've noticed on Monarch you really have to only go after what you need, and cut out all the less essential items or at least save them for later.

 

[axident]

I just started a game on the Earth map playing as Genghis using Marathon and I noticed something, I've been trying to move up a level to Monarch and the cost of techs and pretty much everything on Marathon is dramatic, it forces you to really pick only what you absolutely need and really streamline the process of picking techs and units.

I think Marathon would be a good way to force yourself to get into the habit of only going after what you absolutely must have.

What do you guys think? Is playing on Marathon a good way to learn to up your difficulty, I've noticed on Monarch you really have to only go after what you need, and cut out all the less essential items or at least save them for later.

Marathon, except for bugs like the spy/poison water thing, is probably EASIER for any strategy that relies on war, because your army is effective longer as they effectively move three times faster than on Normal speed, and the human has a HUGE advantage over the AI when it comes to warring.

 

[PieceOfMind]

I just started a game on the Earth map playing as Genghis using Marathon and I noticed something, I've been trying to move up a level to Monarch and the cost of techs and pretty much everything on Marathon is dramatic, it forces you to really pick only what you absolutely need and really streamline the process of picking techs and units.

I think Marathon would be a good way to force yourself to get into the habit of only going after what you absolutely must have.

What do you guys think? Is playing on Marathon a good way to learn to up your difficulty, I've noticed on Monarch you really have to only go after what you need, and cut out all the less essential items or at least save them for later.

I don't really agree with what you're implying. Everything scales on Marathon. Unit train rates don't scale proportionately but that has a different effect. I think at any speed you could get into the habit of going after only what you absolutely need. If anything using Marathon to practise a difficulty is not a good idea because it is generally easier to beat the AI due to the easier ability to focus on warfare.

Unless you really appreciate the unique game experience that Marathon gives you, there's no real reason to play it for learning strategies.

 

[madscientist]

I play HUge maps on Marathon speed.

Generally marathon is considered easier and I agree since you can run arround with swords and Axes for alot longer before Longbows show up. I use huge maps to somewhat offset this so it takes alot longer and much more difficult to smash other AIs.

I consider it a little more realistic and allows me to enjoy all aspects of the game, especially the late game. Alot of posters here say they are finished by Renasaince and that is great if you are looking for a fast finish but I always felt I was missing something. Also you have to really play each age, I was getting frustrated speeding through middle ages because I knew I would be at rifles before I even got the knights into AI territory.

With BTS and the lategame complexity, marathon/huge make sit more enjoyable, at least for me.

Also the games take ALOT longer, my recent Monarch victory in BTS with Roosevelt took about a week and I play everyday.

 

[SickCycle]

Wasn't saying anything it was just a thought I was looking for input on lol

Like I was saying I've been trying to move to monarch and I still kind of grab things I dont need and while playing the marathon game I noticed I only went after what I needed at exactly that time to follow the exact strategy I was aiming for, since it takes 40 turns to grab AH..

Thanks for your input, I didn't realize people considered Marathon "easier" to win on, thats odd but I understand what your saying, that it allows you to focus on warfare and dominate them through there weakness easier.

Makes sense.

 

[0R4NG3]

I'm gonna have to agree with SickCycle.

I used to play Marathon speed exclusively ever since Civ4 came out, I usually play on monarch, rarely on emperor.

And just recently I've decided to try out Normal speed, I was really surprised by how much easier and quicker my games have become. Sure it is probably more difficult to achieve a domination victory on normal, but I rarely play pangea anyway. All the other victories however are much easier. The ai's tend to have smaller stacks, so it is much easier to defend. Also I agree with SickCycle that the cost of mistakes is much higher on marathon, on normal if you make a mistake it will only take you a couple of turns to correct it, on marathon it could take 30.

My verdict is: Marathon is easier for warmongerers, but more difficult for builders.

 

[sveint]

Marathon is harder in BTS, in Warlords/Vanilla it was easier. Why? In BTS the AIs have a real army, not just 2 units per city.