Navy

[Ecco]

In my humble opinion, a navy is a very strong invasion bonus. in one game i didn't even have magellan exp, the russians did, and they launched invasion after invasion due to their 7 mov. transports. I still built a strong, even though slow, navy, and succeded in capturing the key naval city of Sevastopol, no more surprise attacks from them. well, i kinda finished them off in 15 turns, but still...

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"The weak have one weapon: the errors of those who think they are strong."

- Georges Bidault

 

[Alan_Nicoll]

I don't build any ships early unless I discover that I'm on an island.

Later I'll build one Trireme to sail around exposing sea squares (and often resources) that my already-built cities then use. Sometimes I'll use 1 or 2 Triremes to bypass a strong defense point to attack weaker cities on my continent. I may also use Triremes to transport Caravans to other continents, because the cash and research bonus is increased. I once got 700 gold and 11 or 12 trade arrows from one Freight carried to a 12 point AI city.

When Ironclads become available, I'll build these ASAP and use them both to defend my coast and to harass enemy shipping.

When I have enough Marines and Spies I may make an invasion of enemy civs, or I may wait until I have Bombers and Armor. In any case, this usually means a D-Day invasion sooner or later.

If I get as far as Battleships, I'll build a few and sail around hammering shore units while waiting to assemble invasion forces.

I rarely get the Lighthouse or Magellan's except by conquest because I push for religious wonders and Leonardo's rather than these.

 

[Archbob]

A navy in many games is actually more important to me than an army. I have all my seaside cities build the best naval vessel I can get and take control of all port cities on the map. Subs are important for transporting missles(if you haven't taken over the world by then).

Usually in a game with water complete control over the seas is crucial to success.

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[SlowwHand]

I agree, navy capabilities are essential.
Air is also, but much later.
Knowledge of the world first comes by sea in most games not land locked.
For instance pounding a city from the sea, and then taking over; or just picking off units unlucky enough to be on coast line.
And that's just the beginning.

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It's In The Way That You Use It

Tuatha De Danann Tribe
ICQ 51553293

[This message has been edited by SlowwHand (edited May 22, 2001).]

 

[greenie]

I agree with most of what is said.

The first I generally use my Navy is Ironclads to bombard enemy coasts. Musketeers then holt my plans, and I use Leos workshop to upgrade to pick off the antiquated units and mainly explore with the plus 2 sight.

My games HINGE on having a strong navy, and for that reason I build Battleships and AEGIS Cruisers late in the game to give me the decisive opportunity I need to win.

Not much can beat a Vet battleship, just see how many cruis missiles can fail! I once had the AI waste 12 cruise missiles in a single turn on one battleship to only weaken it by a littel tiny bit.

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- Greenie

" Let us take by
cunning what we would
take by force"

 

[Warlord56]

I only build a navy(other than transports/equivalents) on island maps. And that only cansists of battle ships

 

[starlifter]

I rarely build much of a navy before Ironclads. The rule for Ironclads is simple... every coastal city builds at least one, immediately upon Steam Engine. With SunTzu's and Magellans, they rule the world. The only thing to watch out for is Leonardo's upgrading them to destroyer, which will remove the critical Veteran bounus until it can be regained. Diety, large map... about 30-35 Ironclads, minimum, are in order.

Battleships and AEGIS Cruisers (always vet) rule the seas. No AI navy is allowed to exist in any location I desire.... Transports are essential to getting those freight with 2,000 and 3,000 gold bonuses through on a regular basis to the biggest and best enemy cities. Shortly after coprporation, I expect an advance every turn, even in Fundamentalism. And a Strong navy will allow a steady 3,000 to 5,000 gold and science every turn with Freight.

AI cruise missiles are a joke, if you have multiple vet AEGIS to protect the stack. Vet Battleships can be taken out with as few as 2 lucky cruise missiles, however.

Carriers are excellent for ferrying fighters and patrolling large ocean gaps. I have never built a stealth bomber. Stealth fighters, spies, howitzers, engineers, and frieght rule the world at that point in the game. Bombers are an utter and categorical waste of resources in all circumstances at diety level, esp. if fighting in a democracy with a huge army and navy (which I almost always do).

That said, it is possible to win with a weak navy or even no navy at all, but it will generally be slower, lower scoring, and economically weaker, depending on difficulty level and map characteristics.


[This message has been edited by starlifter (edited June 18, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by starlifter (edited June 18, 2001).]