Most Fun Long Game: Help me decide!

[ScottishViking]

It's been a while since I've played FFH. I'm picking it up again. Instead of me mulling over the details, I'm looking for suggestions.

ScottishViking's FFH Characteristics

I love long games on big maps.

I hate managing huge empires.

I am a builder and being atop the Wonderpile.

I like small numbers of elite units over Stacks of Doom.

I like powerful heroes over elite generic units.

I like long games, managing relations and trade with my neighbours, and going to war when necessary.

I don't necessarily want to expand my territorial empire. I want to make my small empire perfect.

What civ/leader should I be?

 

[HadesScorn]

Kuriorates. Without a doubt. They fit your intended playstyle very well.

Religion: Whatever you please. I always go OO with them at the start for the wonder synergy.

Map: Small continents or island/chain maps. Huge World size, high sea level.

Speed: Marathon

Thank me when you are done.

 

[WCH]

Another way is Advanced Start with ~8,000 gold and No Settlers. For this, my favourite map type was always Highlands with Ridgeline mountains and Seas. Basically, you start with 5-6 cities, and then can't build any more, although you can capture barbarian or enemy cities if you choose. Works decently for preserving the wilderness and thereby allowing both a relatively large map and small empires.

 

[Mailbox]

Another way is Advanced Start with ~8,000 gold and No Settlers. For this, my favourite map type was always Highlands with Ridgeline mountains and Seas. Basically, you start with 5-6 cities, and then can't build any more, although you can capture barbarian or enemy cities if you choose. Works decently for preserving the wilderness and thereby allowing both a relatively large map and small empires.

This is a very fun way to set up empires with wilderness in between. My only complaint is that you're not allowed to spread your cities far enough apart for my tastes.

 

[WCH]

Yeah... it's very dependent on start as well. You can either end up in a situation in which there are 6 great city spots, or maybe only 3, and either way that's the land you're stuck with until you conquer barbarian cities.