newbie Q

[goffchile]

Hi,

I just got a used copy of Civ III with no documentation. I played Civ II a lot so understand the basics but a couple of questions--

The civ traits (industrious, religious, etc) How do they affect your strategy? Do you play to your strengths?

Army leaders? What do you do with them? How do you make them effective?

Espionage? I conducted espionage (put a spy in an enemy city) but it wasn't clear what the benefit was. Also, how does regular espionage differ from Intelligence agency? (or does it?)

Thanks--Will probably have more questions as I clip along. Is there any links that have the game documentation I can download?

Thanks again.

 

[Admiral8Q]

Ahoy goffchile,

Look around on the http://www.civfanatics.com homepage. There is alot of useful reading there. (complete with pictures!) Look over the list on the left side. I have all the manuals, but have to reference this sometimes while I'm at work.

 

[Padma]

Actually, this site is the best reference manual I've found.

To answer some of your questions:

Traits: these tend to modify your play. In other words, you need to use the strengths they give you. For instance, Religious allows you to build cheaper religious buildings = faster culture growth + happier people. It also allows you to change governments with only one turn of anarchy, which means it can be cost-effective to switch governments sometimes. (Later in the game, when you are looking at up to 8 turns of anarchy, switching to Democracy just isn't worth it. )

Great Leaders: it's a good idea (usually) to build an Army with the first one, and maneuver that Army into a victory over another unit. This lets you build the Military Academy, Other Leaders normally go to rushing Wonders.

Espionage: rarely worth the cost.

And the documentation is on the CD in PDF format. Look in the "manual" folder.

 

[Admiral8Q]

And the documentation is on the CD in PDF format. Look in the "manual" folder.

Oh yeah! Never thought of that! Good call.

 

[gunkulator]

Espionage? I conducted espionage (put a spy in an enemy city) but it wasn't clear what the benefit was. Also, how does regular espionage differ from Intelligence agency? (or does it?)

In order to perform espionage, you must do three things: get the tech, build a small wonder, and plant a spy in each civ that you wish to spy on. The tech you can usually trade for. The wonder isn't all that expensive considering you're in the era of factories and power plants. Planting a spy is cheap, however the punishment for failure can be severe.

The reason I like espionage is for the F3 screen. Knowing the makeup (type and number) of the AI's army is invaluable. And it's free! I also like the ability to investigate AI cities, even when I'm at war with them. The other abilities I don't use much since they are horrendously expensive. Sometimes if I'm in Communism and have loads of cash that I can't otherwise spend, I'll try to steal a tech from a civ that I'm already at war with.

 

[cidknee]

i lost my manual 2 yrs ago and well i use this site as any info I need... always look up questions using search bar, someone usually has had that problem before you, and make sure u have all the updates. And get C3C if u can,( unless u dont already have it) it brings the game play to a whole new level. I looked for 3 months before i got my copy, now whole other word. And again look around here... read read read read....

 

[goffchile]

I should have thougt of looking on the disc. Have perused the sight and yes its very informative. Thanks for the input. So far the thing I love most about the game is flipping cities--a great addition to Civ II--cultural imperialism.

 

[Admiral8Q]

I should have thougt of looking on the disc. Have perused the sight and yes its very informative. Thanks for the input. So far the thing I love most about the game is flipping cities--a great addition to Civ II--cultural imperialism.

Culture is indeed a fine adition to Civ3, it certainly makes the game alot more interesting

Incase you can't find them, (or feel just plain lazy ) The pdf manuals on the site can be found here:

http://www.civfanatics.com/civ3reference.shtml

 

[cidknee]

Incase you can't find them, (or feel just plain lazy ) The pdf manuals on the site can be found here:

ummm u mean there arent lazy ppl on here................................................jk