Longbow Rush? How's it done?

[SickCycle]

So I just started playing online and I've noticed in a couple of my games fairly good players have more or less beelined through monarchy and into feudalism and rushed with longbows.

How is this strategy done and can you guys tell me anything about it or maybe a few other online strategies.

I've never heard of anyone doin anything like this in my reading on single player strategies and such so it's not something I've any experience with, it seems like there are some very different strats for online play and I'd appreciate any guidance you guys may have.

I'm also hoping these strategies can help me improve my single player play.

Thanks in advance.

 

[UnnamedPlayer]

this is done sometimes in large teamgames.

oracle gives a free technology. usually, after oracle, you need 2 techs to grab feudalism for free (writing + monarchy).

usually, you only have time to research one of these, or else you risk letting the other team grab oracle. in large teamgames, there are lots of villages that give tech, so people do get writing or monarchy from villages, and then get feudalism using oracle.

then they get vassalage + barracks, to get 2 upgrades for longbows. this makes them the strongest unit at this stage. (except praetorian...)

guerilla II makes gives them over 10 strength defending on hills. (6 + 25% + 20% + 30%), so nothing can touch them. also double movement always helps, as hills cannot be cleared like forests.

serfdom is also useful

in free for all, usually there isn't as much emphasis on military. sure you may beat one enemy by going military, but all your land gets claimed by other civs who thought more long-term and are now more powerful than you. feudalism is a good idea, because military is primarily for defense and monarchy is necessary for happiness. serfdom is good and it's a path to civil service and beyond.