Me Against the World (Advice)

[Apollo XI]

I was wondering if anybody could give me advice in a game I've recently started?

I'm playing Noble for the first time, as the Japanese, and it's currently 1575AD. I'm currently in last place, but not by a lot. Since they were right next to me, I decided to go to war against Charlemagne to eliminate some nearby competition. It was going well, with me having captured two small cities and captured another. I was just about to move in on his major cities, where all his resources are. However, stupid Apostolic Palace elections forced me to end the war: I defied the first one, which made my country very unhappy, and I didn't think I could stand that for much longer when the second election came, so I just voted no. As I thought, the vote passed, and the war ended.

I thought I could just use this as an opportunity to build up more forces and just blitz the rest of Rome, but THEN an election came up to return the Roman city I captured, Vienna, to Rome. Being careful to avoid that unhappiness again, I voted no. Of course, however, it was once again in vain, since the vote passed.

So, of course, I thought this was the final straw. With my Horse Archers still outside of the city's small borders, I easily retook it right after the decision was made.

Was this wise of me to do? If not, what else can I do?

 

[jmas]

Not too long ago I had the AP force peace on me for 10 turns in a game. As I recall, I switched into the AP religion before the 10 turns was up, so that a "Reassign City" resolution could not be used against me (by the way, refer to this thread, I found it helpful, e.g. for knowing that if you are a Full Member, a proposal can't be made to make you give up your conquered cities). Then, after the chance for the resident to make a new proposal (I don't think one was made), I re-declared. I either took down my opponent (Tokugawa as it happened ) within the 10 turns or conquered enough of his cities to gain enough votes to block a stop-war proposal.

I think having a breakable-at-any-time cease fire and re-declaring after proposal time is a favored tactic on these forums. Eventually, as you conquer cities & population, make it easy on yourself by ensuring you have the votes to block proposals (may require running the AP religion; EDIT: it may also help to build a monastery (assuming you're not in Organized Religion) and missionaries if you capture a city with a lot of and the AP Religion, and spread said religion to some of your own high-pop cities).

 

[Killroyan]

First thing you should do is expand. You can easily drop 3-4 cities in the remaining area if this is the accurate map. Your expansion has been way too little. Get a couple of workers out and clear the jungle. If there is a food resource you can already get a city close to it. If I see it correctly there is a sea food resource above your capital. In the north you can settle a city on the desert hill (near the oasis) but I don't know how much food there is. It could still be a decent size 5-6 city.

Between Osaka and Ragoshima you can at least get 2 cities. One can use the rice present and the other has enough grassland to grow. Expansion is your most important task. Get settlers and some soldiers to protect your cities and your score will go up dramatically.

 

[Apollo XI]

Thanks for all the advice so far, everyone. I appreciate it. = )

@Killroyan: I would have expanded more but I didn't think my economy could handle too many more cities. So, instead, I tried to develop the infrastructure of my existing cities so I could at least have a decent research rate, while knocking our Rome.

However, this being my first time playing Noble, I'll trust your advice. Should I stop warring at all then, or try to do both at once?

 

[jmas]

Since you haven't gotten a reply yet, I would say, if you have the option of switching to the AP religion (you have to have at least one city with it--and you will if it was in the city you recaptured), and you think you might be able to grab another city or more with your current army, then go ahead and try it. You may have to try to get a cease fire before AP proposal time if you want to keep fighting (you can re-declare after the opportunity for a proposal has passed). If you do opt for a cease fire, or if a stop-war proposal passes, then make sure you're in the AP religion when it's time for a proposal, to avoid a city being reassigned.

But if you don't think you'll be able to accomplish much with your current troops, then teching instead could be good. You'll probably have another chance to war in the future.

 

[BakingTheArt]

@Killroyan: I would have expanded more but I didn't think my economy could handle too many more cities. So, instead, I tried to develop the infrastructure of my existing cities so I could at least have a decent research rate, while knocking our Rome.

Oh, trust me. You could. Rule one of Civ IV is land = power. Write that down. I routinely expand until 30% research, using specialists, libraries, and courthouses to lessen the blow. That will give a great production base, and great land for cottaging up eventually so you can overtake the world with your science. Never under estimate the time-tested strategy of beeline and backfill, in which you go straight for a crucial technology, and trade away your new monopoly techs for the ones you missed along the way.


More specific scrutiny:
-It looks like the HRE is really, really close. Probably would have been a great axe-rush target, and then you have the the entire upper half of the continent to yourself. Keep that in mind next time you get a neighbor that close.
-There is a whole strip of unclaimed grassland jungle down there that could support two, maybe three cities down. Grab it before someone else does.
-Your cities are tiny for 1580 standards. Always try to settle near a food resource, or, failing that, farmable grassland/flood plains.
-Cottages cottages cottages cottages cottages.