Monarch

[@war]

I used to play the improved AI at noble. I recently tried the upgraded AI patch and found it not stable so I am just playing warlords with the Firaxis patch. I used to play at noble with the firaxis patch and now I can dominate at prince and so... I tried monarch and they were blowing through techs. Any advice on leaving prince behind? I usually play as Peter or Bismarck. I am not a compulsive builder and I can do early war. I have learned about cottage and specialist although I dont think I have ever gotten to the point where i could write a book about either style. Advice please?

 

[LucyDuke]

I have learned about cottage and specialist although I dont think I have ever gotten to the point where i could write a book about either style.

Anybody who could write a book about Civ4 tactics really, really needs a real-life CivAnon.

That said, I haven't got much help for you. I play Noble. The most important lesson I've learned getting there, though, is that you're not always going to be ahead, but if you play well, you'll pull through. Being in the middle of the pack in terms of score is so discouraging that I often want to give up on the game, but forging ahead anyway is the only way to improve. The tips around here are absolutely excellent, but you need to play with them to figure out why.

I know you already know that, just trying to aimlessly encourage. Good luck.

 

[Cam_H]

@war,

Welcome to CivFanatics!

I think you'll have to post a game or provide a bit more information on why you think that you're stuggling. Bear in mind that in most circumstances you'll be 'playing from behind' for the early stages of the game.

 

[@war]

I dont know how to post a game. Its the technology, i trade but they are blowing me out of the water. I play huge marathon fractal usually. I can hold my own for a minute but they out pace me in tech rather badly. And I was wondering is it better to expand into a neighbor rather than try to fill up the land around you? I have only tried monarch twice now and the last round was discouraging.

 

[LuckyAC]

I dont know how to post a game. Its the technology, i trade but they are blowing me out of the water. I play huge marathon fractal usually. I can hold my own for a minute but they out pace me in tech rather badly. And I was wondering is it better to expand into a neighbor rather than try to fill up the land around you? I have only tried monarch twice now and the last round was discouraging.

You should expand towards neighbors to cut them off and keep closed borders, so you can settle the land later. Maybe keep some fogbusters, or else just capture the barbarian cities later.

I don't particularly know why you'd get out-teched on monarch.

Make sure you are not expanding too fast, I guess it might be possible on such a large map with lower-level AI.

Play Financial or Organized

Switch to hereditary rule and use cheapest units as military police for early large cities.

Probably make your capital a fully cottaged science city, settle your first GS there as an academy (and try to generate one early), maybe try to build Great Library there, switch to bureaucracy.

Try to generate excess cash through trades/great merchants so you can run 100% science at a deficit.

 

[pigswill]

Easiest way to post a save is to use upload feature (6th button along on the toolbar at the top of the page); go my documents, my games, warlords, saves, single. Copy and paste save into your post. Might be useful to include an early save and a save where you feel you're getting stuck.

I'm currently playing warlords monarch, managing ok but still far from finding it easy. Difficult to give specific advice without more specific information.

 

[Calder]

Since the warlords patch I have struggled on Monarch level (always play huge maps, marathon speed). I found the number of barbarians early game slowed me down so much I could never recover, and if I did the A1 were usually a whole age ahead in tech. Haven't tried a 18 civ game on monarch which would solve much of the barbarian problem. But I'm actually finding it more fun playing at Prince level, though less of a challenge, at least I'm not playing catch up, and winning 100% of my games.

 

[@war]

First I set the game speed to epic and map to large. I did this to learn and not spend a century to find out i am going to lose. My last try was with Mansa this is with Bismarck. I find expansive to be my favorite trait. I play a bit slopy because I dont want to turn the game into some calculation. Prince is just too easy though. I am going to post an early save and a later one. I messed up going for monarchy because I got the pyramids. In the last save I am 8th in soldiers... Also alphabet is coming soon and this is where it will get ugly I am sure.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/110728/Early_Game.CivWarlordsSave
http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/110728/1690_BC_.CivWarlordsSave
I hope i did this right.
The first is after my third city and the second is nearing AD I believe.

 

[oyzar]

Your pretty much never high up in soldiers until your twice the size of everyone else in the late middle ages or so have i experienced at least. I use to be last in soldiers til the first war(still are when i deceare). Then after i kill the first guy i am second last and after i kill another one i might have moved up 2 spots or so... On the higher levels your soldier count will allways be far behind all the comps because your cities are so much smaller.

 

[pigswill]

I usually play on standard maps; I would guess that barbs are more of a problem on a huge map. It might be worth thinking about going for great wall as your first wonder so you can develop cities without barbs tearing up all your improvements.

Edit: your first save is 3800bc, second save is 1600bc.