Limiting the number of cities AI can build.

[vmsbass]

Is there any way to stop the AI from breeding cities like rabbits? I am familiar enough with the xml to do some handy work if anyone can point me in the right direction (or knows of a mod that does this). Thanks in advance

 

[TheMeInTeam]

Out-expand them, unless you're on deity.

Otherwise XML out their bonuses .

Edit: The bonuses are in their own XML, I forget the name but it's easy to find.

 

[vmsbass]

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of something like each Civ having a five city limit or something like that. I hate controlling too many cities, and I do not like the AI that controls them for you. But it seems like if I don't fill every last available spot, the AI will. One of the major turn offs for me, really.

I modded in a universal one city challenge by removing settlers; but I would like to explore other options.

 

[Xellos-_^]

only thing i can think of is play on a small map with advance and fill in the map before hand. Both you and AI would probably only get aother city or 2 bu that would be about it.

 

[TheMeInTeam]

Crowd the map with more AIs than the map size was designed to handle. Something like 11-12 on a normal map would certainly restrict city count.

Otherwise normal fixes aren't going to cut it. More cities = better research, power, and advantage in civ IV, only the initial maintenance costs can do anything to discourage it (but the AI does not consider maintenance which is one reason high levels rely on bonuses). If you don't want a ton of cities a small map is probably best.

I guess I'll also put a shameless plug in for my "speed civving" guide, since I handle 20+ cities toward the games end (sometimes whole worlds if you count vassals) and still wind up with times around 3 hours. So more cities or faster play . The better you get with hotkeys and patterns, the less effort each city uses up.

 

[Molybdeus]

If you don't like controlling so many cities, try a one city challenge. Way less micro managing, and it's not as hard as it sounds.

 

[Lowfreq73]

...or play a "duel" game on a tiny map (foregoing the early rush, of course, unless it's something you want to practice ).

I've learned a lot and had a lot of fun playing these going against aggressive opponents to increase my warring skills (I'm a builder at heart).

It cut down on the volume of "administrative" tasks, and allowed me to focus on details.........which has improved my management on bigger maps.


Plus they are usually as quick as you want them to be.

 

[ori]

look here:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?p=7064255
that is for BtS though - but maybe someone there can help you convert it for vanilla