Memoirs of a Civ IV beginner...

The_Oakster

Warlord
Joined
Apr 6, 2003
Messages
219
Location
England
Introduction
I bought Civ IV as soon as it was released after being incredibly addicted to Civ III. I was never a fantastic player of Civ III, I used to play on Monarch but would get beat most of the time and the few times I would win would be by score.

Civ IV from the box wouldnt work on my laptop and so it started gathering dust on my shelf, until 3 days ago when I noticed that patch 1.61 was out. It now works acceptably on my laptop and I started playing.

Firstly, this version is so much better than Civ III! I have only played 2 games and I am converted already. I started to read the various strategy articles but I cant really take in information that way so I will use this thread to highlight my games and maybe with some help from readers improve my game.

Here is a brief description of my last game and then I will update it with my new game.

Summary
Noble, Fractal, Standard size, randomised civs, Normal speed.

I was given the Chinese to steer to historical greatness, my opponents were Spanish, American, German, Greek, Mongolian and Roman.

I started on what turned out to be the largest Island. I was in a very tropical, jungle area but with a few cows in the lower reguions and lots of dye I felt that i was in good shape, I started of manually moving my workers and felt I was doing okay. I had a few scuffles with the odd panther and barbarians but lost no troops.

I then found Spain on my island, and I felt that their continual border expansion closing in on mine was threatening. She had 4 towns and i felt that the Spanish were soon to be eradicated from existence

I built up some archers and with my Civ III head still on I stacked them up and moved them to the outskirts of Barcelona, with my troops positioned on a forested hillside I felt that it wouldnt be long until the city was mine.

My first mistake was trying to take the city with my archers, it was hard going and I wasnt getting anywhere, I changed tactics and built some War elephants, catapults and the Cho Ku Nu, after a long hard fight using unit promotions and terrain to full advantage I eventually overcame the inferior spanish.

What followed was a slow game of me trying to keep up the tech race , while Genghis kept threatening to go to war if we didnt give him money and techs. I kept calling his bluff and then the Romans started doing this and so did the Greek. I realised that I was becoming pretty weak and unpopular, so I started sucking up to the Germans who had the most power of the people I knew.

Being friends with them, gave me the chance to earn some free techs that he was all too happy to give to a friend. Then the threats stopped. Until Genghis invaded!!

Not only did he pile frigates and galleons into my territory and offloaded a load of cavalry and riflemen into my country, he also started bombarding my towns and destroying my workboats. Luckily for me he did this about 2 turns after asking me for an open borders agreement so he may have taken a large rep hit (not sure of the mechanics in Civ IV), but I managed to get the Greeks to declare war with him. Also in my favour was my tech advantage over Genghis so his cavalry where fighting promoted Infantry and machine guns with a few cavalry for good measure. I realised that I would need to dominate my coast for me to stop this happening again.

After building 6 or 7 destroyers and getting some transports ready I realised that Julius was not talking to me. A few turns later and he had troops in my country. My force destined for Mongolia was soon given new orders to invade Rome.

After a quick sea battle, my destroyer made a safe corridor for my troops to leave. They arrived on the Roman coast and disembarked into some forested Hills on the outskirts of a Roman town. The town was full to the brim of about 30+ units, galleons, frigates, riflemen, cannons and archers! I just let them attack me in the hills where my promotions came into their own. But the sheer numbers of Roman troops looked like I was going to get wiped out. The first turn after landing must have had 40-50 fights, my troops won a vast majority but they were in bad shape. Slowly the resupply effort kicked in and things were all equal.

Then I got gunships.

Now I dont know if it was just the way it happened or if these units were designed for this but they won war for me. I used them to fly around the Roman land destroying roads, towns, villages, cottages, plantations, windmills and the occasional lonely Roman unit. It wasnt long before I felt ready for a land offensive with my hillside troops. they took out the town but in a rushed mouse click I accidentally burned it to the ground!!

By this time, due to the constant aggression shown by my gunship crews, the Roman civilisation was grinding to a halt. I could see it happening in front of my eyes, with less troops leaving the towns, and more troops garrisoning. City sizes were dropping every turn as the Romans started pop rushing troops. Civics were changing all the time. It was war. Then a major turning point happened.

"The Americans have built SS Thrusters!"

During the war the Americans had been slowly growing and growing and were soon far in front of me. With just under 60 turns left, I didnt know if I had enough time to turn this round. I quickly made peace with the Romans leaving them with just 3 towns and a barren, almost primitive landscape. I had a large points advantage over the Americans and I knew that if I could just slow down their advance I could stop them building the SS.

I started to reorganise for a war on the Americans. I didnt think that there was really time to but I felt that it wouldnt hurt. I had moved my destroyers, carrier and submarines to the US coast for my imminent invasion, troop carriers filled with my gunships and infantry were ready. I just needed some more as the Americans were, by this time, the most powerful Civ.

I started researching for ICBM's and trying to get other civs to attack them but everyone else was busy or too friendly with them. I signed a defensive pact with the Germans and then tried to goad the Americans into a war but they just ignored me.

As it happened Washington decided that enough was enough so he attacked the Mongols with about 30 turns left and the SS parts stopped being built.

Then with 10 moves to go, I could build an ICBM in 10 turns, I decided to nuke the Americans, I didnt know if you could nuke the SS like you could in Civ III but it was worth a try.

Then it was gameover, I won on points (boring I know), I didnt get a chance to nuke them, and I never invaded. Still I did win.

My inexperience shows with all the mistakes I made, i was always reacting to my enemies, I completely forgot about religion and using that to gain friends and I never attacked when I could have done.

But I learnt a lot in this game, and now I will start a new game and hopefully you can help me with decisions and critique my poor play.

Ben
 
Here is the start of my new game, I will post every few turns, unless I need you all to make a decision for me.

Shuffle, Standard, All other settings random.

My start position.



I normally accept what ever I get for a start position and a good place seems to be between the corn and clams in the forest. Or maybe the hills...hmmm, what would you all do?

Ben
 
Maybe this trick can help with an extremely annoying SS opponent.

If he has his commerce or industrial centers on the shore, load up a buch of marines(many more marines then defenders in the city)/artillery/destroyers(enough to knock down defences to 0%). set up your forces so the marines can attack the city on a following turn(make sure your fleet is outside his boarders).

Next turn declare war, use the destroyers to level the defenses, suicide the artillery, and take the city with the marines, BURN IT TO THE GROUND!!

not only will the SS production be crippled but the AI will go beserk and produce troops instead of SS parts.

enemy capitals are usually too well defended but other cities arn't as safe.

hope that helps
 
3280BC The story so far...

Persia Report
I settled on the hill to give me more forests to chop. I started researching archery and built a warrior, I then built a worker who is building a farm on the corn, I am now researching pottery.

Exploration
I sent out the scout who found another scout in a Goody Hut. I sent 1 north who has hit the top of the map (15 tiles north), on the way there was 1 deer and 1 marble.

The other I sent East. He has found the Arabs 18 tiles away. In between Arabia and Persia is grassland, plains and forests, 2 lots of gold, some pigs and a couple of rivers.

Future Plans
Short term plans are to settle towards the Arabs to ensure some territory. I will use the scout to see the size of Arabia.

Screenshots:

Capital


Land to the East


Arabia...


Ben
 
1920BC The Story Continues...

I settled my second town to the east so as to block off the Arabians. I have scouted all the land that I can and the land between us will be pivotal. I cant get past there territory so they may have land south of Mecca that they can settle, if not then this land will be fought over.

I can see another land mass to the West of my capital so I do have territory to spread to.

I chose that square for my second town as it has fresh water and defence from the river, there are several hills for production and there is gold. There is also plenty of forest for chopping. There is also some corn.

I am also producing another settler from Persepolis to start to fill the area between the current 2 towns.

Pasargadae
 
1200BC The Story Continues...

Persian Report
I have researched Hunting, Pottery, Animal Husbandry, Mining, Bronze Working, Masonry, Mysticism, Meditation and I am now researching Monotheism.

I am trying to found a religion so that I cant start spreading it to the Arabs.

Persepolis is currently suffering from unhappiness but I would rather build more Immortals than try to appease the general population.

Horses appeared near to Persepolis so Immortals can now be built.

I have settled a third town between Persepolis and Pasargadae.

Exploration
This is complete for the current time. I cant get past the Arabs and I havent researched sailing yet.

Military
I am using Persepolis to build Immortals and I have 3 stationed on the hills to the East of Pasargadae.

Future Plans
I have completed my goal of settling towards the Arabs and I have grabbed a lot of land with it. I am currently building an army to fight the Arabs if neccesary. If they can spread south then war is less likely. I will research fishing and sailing and then spread west. Cure Persepolis' unhappiness.

Current territory
 
I'm glad you are enjoying it.

I'm Just doing it as I am playing, if I get any advice I will take it on board. I am doing a few turns a day. I thought that it would be easier to learn by following advice in a game situation than by reading a load of generic strategy guides.

Ben
 
625BC The Story Continues...

Persian Report
I have now researched Monotheism, Fishing and Sailing. I am now researching Iron Working.

Monotheism didnt give me the religion I wanted so I will wait for later Religions.

Persepolis is still suffering from unhappiness but I am concentrating on getting a galley and settling west of Persepolis.

I have settled a fourth town south of Pasargadae to close off the land from the Arabs.

Pasargadae is building a settler that will be used to settle 1 north and 2 west of the vines. This may assist in the struggle for the vines by expanding my borders to cover them.

Exploration
This is complete for the current time. I cant get past the Arabs and I havent constructed a galley yet.

Military
I have five Immortals in the hills above Pasargadae. Two more have been sent north of Persepolis to counter the barbarian hordes that attacked us, killing a worker.

The Arabs have settled Damascus on the border of Pasargadae and this has expanded to cover vines that I need for Persepolis. This will now be the target of my military. After settling on the western land mass i will invade Arabia, take control of Damascus and the vines. This will be done even if the fifth town does take the vines in its border.

As a side note, by expanding towards my borders, I suspect that there isnt that much land south of Mecca for the Arabs.

Future Plans
I have constructed enough Immortals to hold off the Arabs if they choose to attack. I will build up a force of 10+ Immortals and then invade Arabia. Cure Persepolis' unhappiness.

Territory


Destroying the murderous barbarian that killed my worker


Damascus
 
175AD The Story Continues...

Persian Report
I have now researched Iron Working, Writing and Theology. I am now researching Monarchy.

Civics: Despotism, Barbarism, Slavery, Decentralisation and Theocracy

Persepolis is still suffering from unhappiness. Monarchy will allow me to build a winery and quell the unhappiness.

I have settled a fifth town north of Pasargadae to secure the vines, deciding against the military option.

Exploration
I have sent a galley loaded with a settler west of Persepolis where I found the Japanese. I have also sent a galley on its own voyage of exploration. I have also been contacted by the Russians.

Religion
I have founded Christianity in Susa. The missionary then spread it to Persepolis. It spread to Pasargadae and onto Tarsus. I am constructing a monastery to spread it to the Arabs.

Military
After exploration, the Navy has shown that the Arabs share this island with me alone. There is no land to the South of Mecca, and the north of mecca is mountainous leading to tundra. They have approx. 4 towns. I control over 50% of the land mass. They are leading me on points due to completing 2 wonders however I am more powerful.

I am currently training an army that will partake in my first conquest of the Arabs.

I have had my first unit promotion (and others since). An Immortal was promoted for defending the realm from the barbarians advancing from the frozen wastes to the north.

Future Plans
Train an army to defeat the Arabs. Overtake the towns. Settle on the other land mass.

Unit promotion


Persian Arab border


World view
 
540AD The Story Continues...

Persian Report
Civics: HEREDITARY RULE, Barbarism, Slavery, Decentralisation and Theocracy

I have researched Monarchy, Priesthood, Writing and Alphabet. I am now researching Feudalism.

Persepolis is still suffering from unhappiness. A Christian Temple is now being constructed.

I am constructing a road to the northern tundra to allow access to the iron that is situated in the hills.

Exploration
I have chosen a location on the western island for a new town. I will use this for trade and relations with that island.

Religion
Christianity has spread to all but 1 of my towns and it has also spread to the Russians and they have converted. I tried to spread it to the the Arabs but relations have become strained and they wouldnt allow access for my missionary.

Military
As our relationship with the Arabs has become strained I see war as inevitable. They cancelled our open borders agreement and now see us as their worst enemy! I have 10 Immortals that will be used to take Damascus.

Future Plans
Defeat the Arabs. Overtake the towns. Settle on the other land mass.

The New Christians


Saladin


Ben
 
700AD War Report

The offensive has begun. In the early hours, 10 Immortals moved to the north of Damascus, and on my orders crashed through the forest and assaulted the Arabian city.

We lost 20% of our attacking force but the lightly defended town is now under our control.

The forces advanced to Mecca but on seeing the large force garrisoned there we have changed direction north to Medina. Another lightly defended city.

We have cut it off from the capital and destroyed its access to horses and pigs. We have defeated a solitary archer as it tried to return to the safety of the city.

Our forces have gathered on a forested hilltop and are awaiting reinforcements.

More to follow...

The battle for Damascus


Current battlefield situation

 
780AD The Story Continues...

Peace Declared
After 80 Years peace has been declared. Although Saladin feels I have let him off the fact is that he was pop rushing spearmen and my Immortals would have been cut to shreds.

We still came out on top. We have taken a town, restricted their territory and seriously damaged the Arabian infrastructure. We destroyed roads, disrupted trade destroyed farms and pastures.

My army will be repaired but I feel like I lost the advantage of my Immortals and attacked too late.

Persian Report
Civics: Hereditary Rule, Barbarism, Slavery, Decentralisation and Theocracy

I have researched Feudalism and traded with the Russians and received Calendar and Mathematics. I am now researching construction.

Persepolis is no longer suffering from unhappiness

I have settled a town to the north of persepolis as I need Iron.

Exploration
Exploration has revealed that the island to the wesy of Persepolis is a third smaller than our current island but is uninhabited. I will be able to expand unrestricted for the time being.

My explorers have sighted a barbarian town on the Russian border.

Religion
Christianity has spread to all of my towns. I will spread it to the the Arabs after I get an open borders agreement.

Military
I have the same size military force as before the War but when I get access to iron I wll expand and then destroy the Arabs before they capitalise on their present advantage.

Future Plans
Expand my military force. Expand my territory on the second island.

New Borders
 
1290AD The Story Continues...

Persian Report
Civics: Hereditary Rule, Barbarism, SERFDOM, Decentralisation and Theocracy

I have researched construction and machinery. I have traded for Literature and Code of Laws. I am researching Guilds.

Exploration
I lost the advantage on the new island and the Japanese have secured 2/3 of it. I will keep my city there though.

I have now met the Arabians, Russians, Japanese, Mongolians and Egyptians

Religion
Christianity has spread to all of my towns. I have been negotiating trades and open borders to allow me to spread christianity. I have built the Church of the Nativity in Susa.

Military
My military is varied now with Axemen, Swordsmen, Crossbows, Longbows and Catapults. Invasion of Arabia is imminent.

Future Plans
Increase relations with the other Civs. Rid the world of the Arabians.

Current world view


Ben
 
1450AD The Story Continues...

Special 'Post-War' Report
I declared War on the Arabians. I headed straight for Medina where my catapults won the battle for me. I have discovered 2 more Arabian towns but they are small and to the north of medina.

Medina itself has stopped rioting but is smothered by the culture of the Arabians. I was hoping for it to expand and cut the northern towns from the southern but this may now not be possible. I need to destroy Mecca. It has 3 World Wonders and is the top city.

Persian Report
Civics: Hereditary Rule, Barbarism, Sefdom, Decentralisation and Theocracy

I have researched Guilds, Banking and Divine Rights. I am now researching Paper.

I feel that a conquest or domination victory has slipped away. Cultural will also be to diffciult to obtain. That leaves me with Democratic, SS or points.

Exploration
I have now met the Arabians, Russians, Japanese, Mongolians, Egyptians and the GREEKS.

Religion
Christianity has spread to all of my towns. I have been negotiating trades and open borders to allow me to spread christianity. I have discovered Islam.

Military
After the assault on Medina my troops are recovering.

Future Plans
Increase relations with the other Civs. Rid the world of the Arabians.

The capture of Medina


Territory status


Ben
 
The_Oakster said:
780AD The Story Continues...

Peace Declared
After 80 Years peace has been declared. Although Saladin feels I have let him off the fact is that he was pop rushing spearmen and my Immortals would have been cut to shreds.

We still came out on top. We have taken a town, restricted their territory and seriously damaged the Arabian infrastructure. We destroyed roads, disrupted trade destroyed farms and pastures.

My army will be repaired but I feel like I lost the advantage of my Immortals and attacked too late.

Good move with the peace, your army would have been decimated.

The one thing I will say, is that I would have gone after their copper by the beginning and end of the war. By taking it out early, you could have delayed the inevitable loss of advantage. If they had rebuilt the mine, by taking it out towards the end, you can slow down their rebuilding of an army. This is however harder to do if their copper is deep in their territory, but in this case it seems as though their copper is on the coast. If it was undefended, you could land in some units to pilliage and fortify. Not only would it delay them getting their copper up and running, but they would also have to divert some of their army to taking down this troops. Even if you lose that one, you gain more than you lose.

What wonders does Mecca have? If any are still in effect, and even if they aren't, it might be benificial to capture the greatest city in the world.

How is your economy doing?
 
saleg37 said:
What wonders does Mecca have? If any are still in effect, and even if they aren't, it might be benificial to capture the greatest city in the world.

How is your economy doing?

Mecca has Stonehenge, The Oracle, The Parthenon. Also has Kashi Vishwanath.

Economy is just on the up..


Ben
 
1655AD War Report

The offensive has begun. At nightfall our 15 catapults and 10 macemen stormed over the border of Arabia.

Taking slaves on the way, the speed of attack was too quick for the Arabs. We advanced on Mecca with no resistance, arriving on the outskirts as Chariots spewed out. The Macemen overwelmed them as the catapults reduced Mecca's defences to nothing.

The next phase saw Mecca defeated and captured.

During this, Medina had its resources pillaged but the Arabs haven't attacked the city yet. We are not going to lose our advantage and we will turn our forces south to Najran.

As a precursor to the war, we culture bombed damascus with a GA.

More to follow...

The Outskirts


Bombardment


Troops move in


New Borders
 
1700AD The Story Continues...

Special War Report
After capturing Najran, I directed my troops north to start capturing the last two Arabian towns when this happened:



This is unprovoked on my part but Alexander cites a heathen religion and trading with his worst enemies as cause for War.

As yet no Greek troops have entered my territory.

I have therefore declared Peace with the Arabs and will concentrate on preparing for a Greek Invasion.

Persian Report
Civics: Hereditary Rule, BUREAUCRACY, Serfdom, Decentralisation and Theocracy

I have researched Gunpowder, Chemistry, Printing Press. I am now researching Nationalism.

War weariness has spread like wildfire across Persia.

Exploration
The Russians are the first civilisation to circumnavigate the globe.

Religion
Christianity needs to be spread to my new towns.

Military
After the War on Arabia we are stronger than ever due to replacements and unit promotions. Alexander has slightly more power than Saladin according to the power demographic, so I should face no problems.

Future Plans
Increase relations with the other Civs. Defend against the Greeks if neccessary.

Taking Najran


Current Territory


Ben
 
Don't cocern yourself too much with distant civilizations that declare war upon you. they usually cause very little damage. Try to get an ally near greece to attack them.
 
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