Middle Ages Slump?

[UberCivver]

I have been an avid civ player for about 15 years now. One thing I have noticed about almost all of my games is that I suffer from a Middle Ages slump. That is to say I am very, very good out of the gate, usually get ahead of my neighbors and most civs worldwide. Then, around 300A.D. (or C.E. for us history majors) or so, I just hit this lag. My lead slips and I feel like I am just going though the motions. I am usually successful in the end on most difficulties, but I can really see this affecting my games on the harder difficulties (prince, monarch, etc.). Anyone here have any suggestions, tips, whatever on how I can avoid this mid game slump?
Thanks in advance guys!
-UberCivver

 

[mrjepson]

Why are you slumping? Is it a lack of expansion when your enemies continue to do so? If so military expansion may work. Lack of science? Build some more buildings to generate more money and scince and crank that science sending as high as you can, spread your religion some to get some extra gold (assuming you founded one).

 

[chris8b]

I had that sort of slump in my first game as well. My research slowed considerably compared to my opponents. For me, the problem was that I wasn't building enough cottages as I still had the "more growth is better" mentality from past Civ games. With too many farms/mines and not enough cottages, my research slowed compared to my rivals.

Since that realization, I've done much better at maintaining a consistent pace throughout the ages.

My point is not that this is your problem as well, but rather solve your problem first by identifying what the slump is (research? diplomacy? cash?)

-C

 

[UberCivver]

The slump is definitely not due to lack of cash (by 300AD I am always in the green). I think it has to do with lack of expansion. I may just not pay enough attention to fill in the gaps around the world. I think I just try and build too many improvements in my cities and don't focus enough on military because this is the time more and more new buildings become available. I expand pretty quickly in the begininng and then I just stall. In my most recent game, I have started managing my workers myself, which has helped considerably. You'd be surprised how much more effective they can be with just a little TLC.

 

[suspendinlight]

I think you should consider military expansion just before you usually hit this slump. Especially if you have a tech lead in the Ancient/Classical era. Wait until you get a new offensive unit that no other civs have yet (swordsmen, horses, elephants, catapaults are probably good candidates) and stop worrying about city infrastructure for a while and start pumping these guys out (with some others to keep a balanced force). Find a nearby weak civ (you should already have been planning for this invasion and using diplomacy to facilitate bringing an ally in) and take some/all of their cities. By growing the size of your empire (without overextending your military or economy) and using the enemy's captured workers, you should quickly be able to integrate the new cities and begin produce 2x as much science to counteract your slump. I had a similar problem and I am fairly peaceful player usually. I found that a little military expansion is usually a better antidote for this kind of thing than making sure you have every upgrade in your cities.

 

[Seanirl]

Funny, I've always done fairly mediocre until the Middle Ages which was when the fate of the world would be decided as I attempted to pick off my neighbours

 

[Divi Filus]

It occurs because you have outgrown your empire's production - waste and corruption (due to the size of your empire) have outstripped the gold you are producing; It is still hard for me as a Civ1/2/3 play not to settler rush - I will often still chop my way to a REX start (chop, chop) of 5-6 cities.

At this time you often do not have COMPASS technology so therefore there is no plantations, your people are unhappy and not involved in production - Essentially this is the dark ages.

It will happen, but this is how to get out:
1. Get Alphabet (trades), Writing (library), Code of Laws (courthouse/FP), Currency (market), Monarchy (hereditary rule), Compass (plantations) - the "key techs".
2. Build "RESEARCH" if you can.
3. Enable citizens as Scientists
4. Research High end techs and trade with AI.
5. Build your Religious Holy Shrine
6. Send out Missionarys
7. Do not overlook the power of Monestarys to add research.
8. Avoid the temptation to expand further, unless there is a vital resource location (ie; copper/iron/horses) that you do NOT have.

Hope this helps...
DF