Preturn: Looks good. Move a few units and switch some of the farthest towns to Workers. We have only 25 so I agree we want to start increasing for the upcoming Rails.
IBT: Some more civs start (or switch) Smiths.
1160 AD: Declare war on Babylon.
In Northern Siberia we have 2 Armies. We easily capture Carchemish guarded by Spears.
We also capture Eridu with other armies. I send one around to where Athens is. I don't think its necessary, but huge stacks in that area could mean trouble for some of our best towns, so its insurance.
We lose a Cavarly against a 2 hp Pike while cleaning up spare units. Several Elite attacks but no leader.
Babylon has a mix of Muskets and Pike despite their Saltpeter not being connected - they may be trading for it.
I don't advance anywhere else. I will react to what Babylon sends at us and have the armies work their way around from east to south-west and the peninsula.
IBT: Not much movement yet. A Bowman pillages a square near Eridu and the units near Eridu advance.
Newtons has been started. Looks like Magnetism was the right choice. I just hope we can get it before the AI. The AI also has Democracy and both have been highly traded.
1170 AD: Near Eridu, one army starts on Ashur killing a Musket, the MDI Army kills pikes, and the final Army heals. I split up the armies in Siberia with the towns having only spears (no roads). Attack a Spear in Izbia
While cleaning up units near Eridu, we lose an Elite Knight vs a 2 hp MDI.
We also gain a leader and build our first Cav army (not filled yet) and 7th overall.
IBT: Babylon sends a single unit from its main territory at us.
1180 AD Capture Izbia in Siberia and Ashur to the south. Cav army has gone around now and is filled. It can attack near Athens next turn.
IBT: Nothing from Babylon again.
1190 AD: Cav Army moves next to Akkad along with a Knight Army and some Cavalry
We are getting Magnetism next turn. Nobody has it yet, but our getting it reduces the cost for the AI who goes after us and who can then trade first. 2 MDI spotted.
IBT: The two MDI Advance and a Long Bow joins them. We finally get the dreaded initial rush of units.
1200 AD: We got Magnetism first. India will pay a paltry price for it but China will pay a lot. I think India was researching it.
We get TOG, 1243 gold and 170 gpt from China for Magnetism. For our free tech we get Medicine
Trade Magnetism for 99 gpt and small change to India.
Persia will only trade Economics as they have no cash. I think about it because they might get Steam Power, but that is only 1/3 chance. If they get Nationalism, then it will cost a lot even with Medicine, and if they get Medicine, its useless. I decide not to do any trade with them.
We can get Silks and Economics from the Sioux so we do that one too.
Also do minor trades for old techs.
Cav Army captures Akkad. In Siberia we raze Sippar. It is past Chinese and Persian cities so not worth trying to defend.
Our units near Dephi and Ashur meet up and start moving on the Capital and Eulbar.
Steam Power in 13 turns. We are at 100% sicience and 382 gpt.
Kill off the initial rush of units.
IBT: Babylon seems spent after that last stack. Nothing is coming our way.
1210 AD: Eulbar falls easily despite being on a hill. Babylon has a few more units but also falls.
Babylon has one city on the coast in Africa. Would like to destroy that as well to eliminate them.
1220 AD: Attack Nineveh but not enoug troops to capture it. Killed two lost units.
1230 AD: Nineveh Captured.Samaria Attacked.
IBT: JSB Completes.
1240 AD: Samarra Captured.
IBT: Smith and Newton are completed
1250 AD: We lost our Monopoly on Medicine when Persia went to the next age. India also has it. I am going to sell it for what I can get to those that still don't have it.
China will give us 287 gpt + small change for it. If twe threw in Saltpeter and gems we could get the rest of their gpt (62)
Trade for other except Persia.
Notes:
Our Cavalry Army healed this turn. It will get two attacks against the last reachable Babylon city which may take it out.
I have been prepping for a Persian war next. Armies and units are on the borders (may be fortified)
A ROP with Egypt to take out the last Babylon town and later the African Persian ones might be a good idea. I think Persia, China, India, Mongols will not be completed in 20 turns even with rails for the 2nd half. We could also rush Boats and get to the last town that way. I think it worth removing flip threat.
With China giving us big gpt, I would go for Persia first, then India and the Mongols.
I feel we are ready to attak Persia next turn even if we don't take the Babylon city that turn. One Cavalry army can clear out the Babylon town and then the Persian one. The rest is owned by Egypt.
