1000 - 275 BC
A builder turnset.
Istanbul is first to finish a library and puts some hammers into Moai afterwards (fail gold). Konya will finish it eventually. Mathematics in only 4 turns thanks to representation once I turn research back on.
~650 BC: Darius has dye available for trade. He's also settled a 5th city and not lost any. Following the power graph through the turnset Montezuma is making no progress.
625 BC: Currency is in and I get a GE in Istanbul. Would've preferred a GS tbh.
3 options for this GE.
-rushing wonder (already mentioned)
-save for engineering bulb
-launch GA
In the end I opted for a GA (not immediately, but once CoL was completed). What swayed my mind was the possibility of doing multiple civic swaps and getting my academy GS sooner. Going aesthetics-lit and rushing GL is a little slow. Furthermore I need CS quickly for chain irrigation. My non-coastal cities really need it.
The sequencing is as follows:
Step 1: Launched GA with GE and high pop --> adopted caste and ran specialists (Istanbul+Edirne). Bursa (horse/cow/sheep) ran a couple of artists after food resources for 100 culture and has successfully converted the barbarian city. This is a sometimes overlooked way to get rid of pesky barbarian cities. Once you cover them with culture they will succumb quickly.
Step 2: During GA complete research of monotheism+CS.
Step 3: Adopt OR+slavery+bureaucracy at the end of the GA and whip down the population (not capital) with OR boost (forges, hammams and barracks). Grow back while getting some basic military (maces/xbows as machinery will be completed first).
Step 4: Tech towards engineering and theocracy.
Step 5: Adopt police state+theocracy (this is without a GA, but only 1T anarchy). Try to leave maces and xbows 1T off completion before adopting theocracy for a quick burst of highly promoted units.
Step 6: Annihilate.
GS from Edirne made an academy in capital.
During GA I ran merchants in Istanbul so I will have a good chance of getting a GM (trade mission) or GE (engineering bulb) next. Either one will contribute. Not sure what to do with a GS at this point.
Next research:
High priority: MC-machinery-construction-engineering-theocracy.
2nd priority: monarchy+calendar -- hook up resources for happy cap (will need it when I drop out of representation).
Low priority: feudalism-guilds-banking -- no knights for the first attack and mercantilism won't make a big difference until I capture more cities and/or adopt representation again. No rush. A bank+grocer wouldn't be bad in Istanbul though. NTT means no selling of techs for gold and thus a lower slider.
Tech path during turnset was: mathematics-currency-mysticism-polytheism-priesthood-CoL-monotheism-CS-MC.
Overview of empire:
Technology progression:
Look at Istanbul netting more than half of my current research:
The reason for Montezuma's lack of progress:
He's just suiciding units into this city with walls up. Until he gets construction his attacks will amount to nothing.
thats interesting, how many cities you think you need need to make it count ?
so ... on normal speed idk is it worth it to bother with it.
@ 275BC with NTT is v impressive however now iam thinking now whats your economy plan for a mid/late game where bulb strategy basicly dosnt work, i can assume that maybe somekind of GA chain does some1 on your Continent have MoM ?
