Stormfather
Chieftain
I often find myself bottle-necking a peninsula or isthmus to secure myself sole access to a landmass. It can work out well early on, as long as you fill in the land behind it before the AI can embark settlers behind your 'wall'.
For example, in one of my last games, I started on a long, thin continent, essentially a super-sized Japan. Montezuma started on the other end. I quickly settled a city in an acceptable plot over near Montezuma, limiting his access to 75% of the island. I filled in my half of the island, and by 1000 BC I was three times as powerful as Montezuma and steamrolled his Jaguars and Archers with Swordsmen and Catapults.
For example, in one of my last games, I started on a long, thin continent, essentially a super-sized Japan. Montezuma started on the other end. I quickly settled a city in an acceptable plot over near Montezuma, limiting his access to 75% of the island. I filled in my half of the island, and by 1000 BC I was three times as powerful as Montezuma and steamrolled his Jaguars and Archers with Swordsmen and Catapults.
