Need Noob Advice - First Game BTS

[Jatta Pake]

I'm playing the Arabs on an Earth-like world with four continents. I think there are six opponents, but I've only met two (Persia and Babylon).

My empire expanded rapidly founding two religions and fifteen cities. I built a nice strong military but my economy has since collapsed. My research is set to zero and I'm still running a negative on my funds (I'm stuck with 336 turns till Alphabet but I have Iron Working, Monarchy, and some other good techs). I'm now building as many cottages as I can but I keep faling farther behind in the tech race since I have no research because I have no money. On top of it all, all cities have a Madrassa.

I've gleaned from the forums that I need to stop founding so many cities. How do I limit growth? My empire has topped out with 2 million citizens and seven of my cities are 8+ in size. I figured my only hope was to fund my deficeit with war and conquest! Saddly, Cyrus and I butchered each other and we have hit a stalemate. I grabbed one city and 86 gold but I need more cash to stay alive. I don't have catapults so I can't break into his cities.

What should I do? Am I doomed becase I REXed the early game? What is the optimal number of cities at each tech level? Should I dig in, sue for peace, and pray my cottages will eventually start making some money?

 

[Big Boss Man]

Don't over expand you'll kill your economy everytime
One option ( not the best one ) Gift away cities with your religion in it .
The ones farthest from the capital ( maintenance fee reduction ) .

But at least with your religion in it you can see that city and keep an eye on it . Try getting picky with the city sites you settle , the aim is to have quallity cities V.S. quanity at least until your civ has the cashflow to support more . Later your army can scrape off some rivial cities to clear your future expansion locations . If they aren't in good spots to begin with .

Have you read Sisiutil's stratagy guide for beginners ? Check out the War Academy and bush up on all the killer articles .

One point I'd like to make ( just my opinion b.t.w. )
I feel that the one who works the most tiles wins . It's not all about war spreading religion , and huge empires

 

[xanadux]

15 cities is more than I have ever had at the end of a game. Don't worry so much about a lot of cities. Get several excellent cities.

When first starting to learn this game, don't let the science slider fall below 40 or 50%. There are times when a lower science slider is ok, but until you know why, don't found another city if it is below 50%.

 

[johncross21]

number of things to reduce costs / increase income

* check the financial screen - make sure you don't have too many military units
* - research Code of Law - build courthouses
* - research Currency - build more markets/grocers/banks etc
* - with machinery - swap mines for mills
* with calendar - grow plantations
* go into the city screen and prioritise tiles with coins

 

[Silence101]

Yeah, fifteen cities is quite a bit this early. The good new is, if you can weather the economic storm, you'll probably be in a strong position.

Without knowing what techs you do have, I'd probably start by trying to trade for Alphabet with a Civ that does have it... or, second best would be CoL or Pottery if you don't have it... and start cottaging like the crazy ruler I know you are! (If you don't have Pottery, you should probably put Alphabet aside and focus on that first.) Build workers to help with cottaging... with fifteen cities, I would think that at least half of them should be commerce cities by the time you're through. Try to focus on developing the land around one or two prospective commerce cities at a time.

Build some libraries and run science specialists in a few cities. This will help you stay competative in research. Tech toward financial techs such as Pottery, CoL, Currency... if you have the opportunity to found a religion, that may pay off financially down the road. If you can pick up Alphabet in a timely manner, you may be able to trade for some of this other stuff. Look at running an SE for a time, focusing on research, while your CE gets on it's feet. With that many pop 8 cities, I see a good opportunity for a powerful research based SE in those cities - so build those libraries if you don't have them and start assigning specialists. You'll probably still out-tech the competition, despite the economic trouble.

You're probably not going to be going to war for awhile... at least, not if you can help it. Try to maintain a decent military as much as possible for defence, though with financial trouble, it may be a tough road ahead.