BobTheTerrible
Just Another Bob
When using caravels to explore the New World or other unexplored islands, I usually keep the caravel on the ocean tile adjacent to the coastal tile. I can still see the land of the continent/island, but this prevents the caravel from being attacked by barbarian galleys. Although the galleys aren't usually going to sink the caravel in one go, they'll damage the caravel enough where it is forced to heal or face the possibility of another barb galley coming and sinking it.
Of course, the standard pathing AI wants to keep the caravel on the coast tile for the 10% defense bonus, but to me, removing the possibility of barb combat entirely is much better than giving a slight bonus when it does happen. This is an especially good idea when there can be hostile minor civs in the New World *cough*revolutions*cough* or just increased barb activity in general. And of course, by the time you're using frigates and the like, barbarian galleys are not really much of a threat, so using the coast doesn't really matter.
Of course, the standard pathing AI wants to keep the caravel on the coast tile for the 10% defense bonus, but to me, removing the possibility of barb combat entirely is much better than giving a slight bonus when it does happen. This is an especially good idea when there can be hostile minor civs in the New World *cough*revolutions*cough* or just increased barb activity in general. And of course, by the time you're using frigates and the like, barbarian galleys are not really much of a threat, so using the coast doesn't really matter.
