Newbie Question concerning Civ3 Conquests

[80k]

Hello,
I just bought Civ3 and Conquests. I've never played these games before... i was just wondering if you would suggest playing just Civ3 first? and then Conquests? The reason i ask, is that now i have 3 shortcuts: Civ3, PTW, and Conquests. i have just been playing around a little bit, and they all seem to start off the same way... are they all separate games? i'm still a little confused at how the expansions relate to the original game, since i didn't expect it to pop up new shortcuts to access the expansions separately.
thanks!

 

[wilbill]

The expansions, PTW and Conquestst are just that - expansions. Each one added a few new civilizations, units, functions, etc. And Conquests added - Conquests - shorter "campaign length" scenarios.
PTW and Conquests are not really all that different from "Vanilla" Civ 3. It's up to you, but you may as well just start out with Conquests. It's what you'll end up playing anyway.
As you read through CFC's War Academy and other reference material, even though a lot of it was written pre-Conquests, the information will generally still apply. The basic game's remained about the same through all 3 versions.
Have fun!

 

[80k]

Thanks, i appreciate the clarification!
I am so completely overwhelmed by this... Just got both today, installed it, and i'm just completely intimidated by the big thick manual this is the first time i've ever played a strategy game... i almost feel like i should have gotten an old copy of Civ 1 first!

 

[Turner]

First of, welcome to CFC. May your civ career be long and glorious!

Secondly. That manual? Take it, and throw it away. Really. Toss it aside. Use it to level out your computer desk, or to throw darts at. . . .it's pretty outdated. All the informatin you need will be found here in the forums and at the war academy off the main page. There is a stickied thread in the Civ3-General Discussions called "Quick Answers." The turn around time is pretty good. I would suggest reading the thread. You don't need to read all of it, because there's a lot of redundancy in the thread. That's okay, that particular thread is there for that. But follow it now, and you will pick up a lot of tips.

And thirdly, have fun! You're about to get addicted to the best TBS (Turn Based Strategy) game on the market. . . You'll know when you're addicted because you'll keep saying "Just one more turn. . . " We call that JOMT Syndrome around here. And we all have it.

 

[HellboundHeathcliff]

I don't think telling a complete newbie to civ to ignore the manual is a good idea. The game is so complicated that the tutorial should always be recommended.

I recommend playing the step by step tutorial for vanilla civ3 first. Once you understand the basic idea of the game, then use PTW since the interface has more features and is easier to use.

Conquests isn't working quite right yet and may be too confusing until you at least get past chieftain level.

Make sure you download and install the latest Civ3 and PTW patches, have fun and ask lots of questions.

 

[80k]

thanks again for the responses...
i'll definitely check out the web resources you recommended. i flipped through the manuals, and they'll at least give me some background, since i'm as newbie as possible

i saw some cheap copies of Civ 1 on ebay. do you guys see any value in starting off with Civ 1 for awhile, before going to Civ 3?

 

[Turner]

Civ1 would teach you some civ concepts, but the games are vastly different. You could pick up a copy, but you've already got Civ3. Quite a few players have started with Civ3 and played nothing else.

As for ignoring the manual. . . there is a lot in it that either does not apply now, or has been changed via patches. There are other sources of information out there that would help a new player better, I think. Of course, I regard this site as the top of that list.

 

[HellboundHeathcliff]

Originally posted by Turner_727
As for ignoring the manual. . . there is a lot in it that either does not apply now, or has been changed via patches. There are other sources of information out there that would help a new player better, I think. Of course, I regard this site as the top of that list.

All true

The manual only becomes obsolete once you understand the premise of the game. This site would scare me if i had never played a civ game *ever*.

Let's not forget the Civ3 Strategy Guide. That was an excellent source of information in the beginning for me. As with the manual, it too becomes obsolete eventually, but gives added insight into the game for beginners.

80k: just remember there *are* errors and misinformation in the manual. So if something doesn't seem to work as explained, it has probably changed.

 

[Turner]

Good point, watorrey. I forgot to say that if the game/civilopedia says one thing, and the manual something else, then the game is probably the correct one.

 

[Eyeoftiger]

Welcome aboard!

Count me as one of those who never played Civ 1 or 2. I was always a die-hard RTS guy until I played Alpha Centauri. (Don't kid yourself, I STILL love RTS!) I began playing this series with #3 and judging on what others have said about the others (and despite them being good at the time), I don't think I'll play them. A buddy of mine played Civ2 all the time in college and he always complained about roaming musketmen...I've heard others talk about this as it was horrible or something, but I don't know, it was just funny to hear him curse at the computer!

I would really focus on playing at the first two levels until you get the hang of the game. Hell, I've been playing since it came out and I'm just now comfortable enough to go at it on Monarch...

 

[Fanny Brice]

Don't bother buying Civ 1.

Read the manual... basic concepts still apply.

Make sure you update to the latest patches for Civ3 (Vanilla -- as the original game is called) and the Conquest patch. Don't worry about patching PTW (unnessary since you are patching Vanilla).

Conquests (with the Vanilla game installed) combines PTW as well. You have all the extra civs, units, etc. that came out with PTW. Just jump right in with Conquests.

Play on the lower levels to get the hang of the game. Maybe a "normal" size map with fewer civs at first.

When you are not playing one of the "scenarios" that game with Conquests, this is referred to as an "epic" game. (Standard game that starts in 4000 BC and advances all the way through).

Develop your own playing style... don't worry what all these crazy, addicted, stay-up-all-night die hards say. Just have fun.

Don't get turned off by some of the posts around here about bugs and other issues. Game works fine and won't affect your enjoyment.

Once you know how to play the game some, then read the articles in the War Academy. They'll make more sense. (War Academy is one of the links on the home page on the left side -- great stuff in there).

Welcome to the forums... don't be afraid to ask questions. People here love to help.

Have fun!

 

[meltone1]

Oh yea, one more thing. You may want to clear your schedule for the next week or two.. civ has a nasty habit of making previously significant duties fade away effortlessly..

 

[HellboundHeathcliff]

I once bought a game because it said right on the box "Almost as addictive as Civilization." That was referring to civ1.

 

[80k]

Thanks again for all the replies! This is a very informative site, i'm sure i'll get a lot out of it, especially after i learn some of the basics of this game.

 

[Goober]

Civ is VERY addicting. I mean, once the only thing in my life was school. Then I got a half-way decent computer, and suddenly Civ is heavily competing (and winning) with school to be the most important in my life.

I did take the tutorial, and found it to be fairly useful when I first started. Speaking of the Tutorial, I find the Romans to be a VERY annoying Civ to play, their trait combo suxs, frankly. I mean, I almost lost that game because of being the Romans.

 

[Grotius]

80K, you've already gotten great advice on where to start, etc. I just wanted to add a word of encouragement: this is a complex and challenging game, and at first you may find it tough to compete with the AI. But hang in there; after you've done the tutorials, just play and have fun with it. You'll get better just by playing, as you see how things work. Most of us probably learned initially just by doing.

Some general advice: your initial priority is to make settlers, a few military units, and especially to get your workers making roads and other city improvements. Of course, you also need to research technology. And build granaries and other city improvements. And conduct diplomacy. And secure rare resources like iron. And... Heh.

BTW, don't bother with Civ 1. It's a classic, but it's also very dated. Civ 2 still has its partisans, but since you already have Civ 3 (and since I happen to love Civ 3 best of all), just enjoy that.

Good luck!