Militaristic cultural victory attempt - which civ and policies?

[Martinus]

I am usually a peaceful player but would like to try winning a cultural victory with a warmonger civ. What would be a good set up for that?

I'm thinking Assyria (a warmonger civ, but UB helps to store stolen art) and going Honor, Piety (for happiness and gold) and then Aesthetics and Autocracy. Thoughts?

 

[wigwam]

Piety no longer gives any happiness. Commerce is probably the strongest policy tree for happiness now (+2 per luxury), and it'd also help you produce gold to fund your armies if all the other civs embargoed you (only one of the Commerce policies actually relates to ITRs). Exploration could also give you some extra happiness if you went naval, although I imagine you're planning to play on a Pangaea map.

Apart from Assyria, the Songhai and Aztecs have some obvious culture/warfare synergy going on. China, France, or Poland would be fun too.

 

[JibJabberJab]

Just want to add Darius to this list, his golden ages make warmongering easy, and you get more culture because of the longer GA's.

ps: Immortals.

 

[digrosz]

I'd say go Huns... Build up an army of three battering rams and two horse archers... UNLEASH DESTRUCTION. As for policies, go liberty for the worker/settler. Focus one city on military and the other on science. Then go Honour and kill two or three civs. Then your army will be obsoleted and you'll need to improve your infrastructure.

 

[IkM]

And don't forget, every single faction will hate you. warmonger=hated

 

[A Rabid Dopsis]

Did this recently with the Zulu. It was so much fun.

You should go aesthetics even though you'll mostly be stealing great works. Double theming bonus is very nice for all the wonders you will... Acquire.

I went autocracy but got zero tourism out of it because of how situational the level three tenet is. It didn't matter though as the war buffs are tremendous.

Oh, and remember to target high culture civs for destruction. Speeds you up no end.

 

[Martinus]

Thanks guys. I like to "roleplay" somewhat when playing, so probably won't be choosing warmonger-only civs like Zulu and Huns, though - as I want this to be a somewhat civilized civilization.

 

[RealHuhn]

Thanks guys. I like to "roleplay" somewhat when playing, so probably won't be choosing warmonger-only civs like Zulu and Huns, though - as I want this to be a somewhat civilized civilization.

Are the celts civilized enough for you?

Because I'd say they fit your game plan perfectly. Religious UA, Aesthetics tree gives you cheap Ceilidh Halls with 3 happiness each and they are also a requirement for the Hermitage. And a quite powerful spearmen replacement with a foreign land bonus to combat.

Overall, Celts feel a lot better than in G+K and Liberty/Piety/Aesthetics/Autocracy is a great combo for them.

 

[Bad Wolf]

I think Assyria is pretty much built for a militaristic culture victory. Invade other countries, steal their Great Works, place them in your Royal Libraries, get more powerful units. And steal enemy technologies while you're at it.

 

[Kilplow]

I have to also suggest Assyria. You can pursue cultural techs more relentless and rely on your unique advantage to keep your troops up to date. Their siege engines will get your empire off the ground by killing your early neighbors with proper composite bowmen support. Like others have said, their special building will let you steal other cities great works shameless and your future troops will get additional experience to boot.

 

[Yzman]

I don't know in terms of gameplay but in terms of roleplaying France with Napoleon would be fantastic for this.

 

[malitano]

I like japan. I can build the combined fleet and give my battleships names like "Yamato" or "Musashi". I find them to be strong defenders with bushido. Ranged naval and land units with 1 hitpoint will still deal a ton of damage at a safe distance without having to heal. More great generals = more citadels. zeros turned jet fighters are lethal in the modern eras.

The issue I see with BNW is that it is very difficult to win culture if you go to war at any point. even if you get attacked, going on the offensive excessively will make you a global bad guy, preventing you from getting those nice open border/trade tourism bonuses.

 

[God of Kings]

Aztecs:

They are good for militaristic cultural victories, not only because of its UA (when combined with Honour especially). Its UU (when upgraded) and especially its UB (more food means more specialists) are healpful.