Need help in game at pivotal juncture ...

[slobberinbear]

It's 1605. I'm Lincoln, Monarch, Fractal map. I started on a distant island with Brennus, and after a late classical age smackdown, the Celts have been brought into the Union. As part of my "roleplaying," I never used Slavery as Lincoln.

I've been trying to take advantage of Philosophical and have built several wonders. Built Stonehenge, Oracle, Great Library, and a few others. Won the Liberalism race. I'm running HR/Bureaucracy/Caste/--/Organized Religion (for the missionaries) right now. I've founded Confucianism and Taoism.

As expected, I fell behind to the other 5 AIs who share a large continental landmass. Liberalism, though, saved the day and I had Education and Astronomy on everyone else. Eventually I broke down and traded Education for all of my backfilling and the world map. I still have Astronomy on everyone else, but they all have Gunpowder on me and are learning the Renaissance military techs.

This is the point in the game when I typically flounder about. I have loosely considered going for the Space Race, but could also go for Diplomatic, as I have never taken a state religion. Cultural is probably out, as all of my wonders are concentrated in Washington. The AP is Hindu and on the other continent. I suppose I could try to catch up on the military techs and go for Domination/Conquest. I have 11 cities presently.

My current choices are:

1. The World Map trades revealed a lot of uninhabited islands, some of which are big enough for 3-4 cities each. The AI civs found 'em with Caravels but can't settle 'em (no Astronomy yet, heh). The islands are about as far away from me as from the other continent. I could try my hand at colonization.
2. Civics. As I said, I'm in HR/Bureaucracy/Caste/--/Organized Religion. I am teching Constitution presently. I have access to Nationhood, Free Speech, Free Religion, and Pacifism. I have spread Tao/Confucianism to all of my cities. I'm thinking of switching to FR and leaving the rest as is.
3. Diplomacy. My adversaries are Mehmed, Gilgamesh, Cyrus, and two other civs on the big continent that I haven't met yet, though one looks Chinese by the pink color. Gilgamesh is Friendly and the closest to me, though he's got the lowest score ... figures.

I suppose I'm just looking for direction here. I am very comfortable in the early game but the mid/late game stuff has me uncertain.

See the save below ...

 

[thorban]

1st off... Navy Seals!!!

A lot of the AI cities are on the coast so you should have no problem knocking down your biggest rival when seals come around.

What I would do is try to colonize those large islands ASAP. I guarantee you the second any AI gets astronomy they will be FULL in just a couple turns. I swear to god the AI keeps around 10 settlers just in case they can annoy you somehow. You have enough land that I don't think you should have a problem keeping up with the AI in techs, if not surpassing them.

So ya, me perosnally, I would tech to combustion, build my navy while teching for seals... And then WAR. All the better if you can get whatever religion Isabella is and have her help out.

 

[slobberinbear]

Took your advice. It's 1874 and I've colonized most of the islands (got down 5 cities before the AI got Astronomy rolling).

Teched to Combustion, building my fleet of transports and destroyers. Luckily found coal on one of the colony/islands.

Just waiting on Industrialism and then ... with the SEALS.

Thanks for giving me some direction. I think I quit so often in mid-game (I get bored, the game slows way down, etc.), I don't have as much experience in the late game.

 

[thorban]

Navy Seals are probably my favorite unit, not sure why because they aren't preatorian like or anything... But I really like naval hit and runs and seals are PERFECT for it. First strikes + march = nonstop destruction. Ideally when I use them I add in a couple carriers and load the carriers up with fighters as they sail to their target. In other words, tech flight while you're building the seals and loading up the transports, build a couple carriers quick, cruise over to your target while building fighters and getting them on your carriers. Bombard, soften with fighters and finish them with seals.