Newbie Questions

[Guid]

1. Why can't I trade for iron or other resources with a country on another continent? They have extra, but it is shaded out.

2. Why do I run out of gold in the Middle Ages and have zero just about the rest of the game. I have roads built to everywhere.

3. How come all other countries form alliances against me and won't form one with me? Could I be pissing them off?

 

[eyrei]

1. You have to have a navigable trade route first. This usually requires the discovery of navigation.

2. Need more information.

3. Have you violated a treaty or sneak attacked somebody. You may just have to offer them compensation for the treaty.

 

[Guid]

Ok thanks. For the second question, I have about 348 pieces of Gold. More than most other civs, then I look up and I'm running out and down to zero. Is there something I'm not doing?

 

[eyrei]

Have you adjusted you science/luxuries slider? Sometimes you have to lower your science to keep your economy functional.

 

[Hurricane]

1. Both parties need a harbor with a road connection to the capital. Also, you need the tech to cross the water. For example, if you only have discovered map making, the sea route must be traced via coastal tiles only.

2. You are probably still in despotism. Switch government to something better, for example Monarchy. You do that by clicking F1 and selecting Revolution. Also, try to adjust the tax rate on the same screen (just above the revolution button).

Addintionally, trade aggressively with your neighbors.

3. You have too few units. THe AI always teams up on the weakest.

 

[Guid]

I've been keeping my science at like 70% and happiness at like 30%. Is that too little?

 

[Bamspeedy]

1. You must have a trade network to their capital. This means both of you having a harbor (with a road from your harbor to your capital, and them having a road from their harbor to their capital). If there is an ocean between you, then you need a certain tech (can't remember which one, Magnetism? Navigation?)to be able trade.

2. You can adjust your expenses in the Domestic Advisor screen (F1), you can move science/entertainment expenses at the top of the screen. Also, on the upper left it shows where your income/expenses are coming from/going to, so you know what areas you can focus on. Building some of the city improvements helps alot.

3. This depends on their feelings towards you (diplomatic relations). Treat them well, by exchanging maps, buy or sell extra luxuries or techs. If you are small and weak, it's hard to gain an alliance with anyone. The best way is to get ahead in techs and sell them techs for gold/turn and/or an alliance against someone else. As soon as someone declares war with me, I will go to ALL the other civs and get them as allies by offering a tech, this prevents my enemy from going to them and getting them as allies first.
Some civs will just naturally be aggressive towards you, it seems no matter what you do, others will be polite or cautious unless you have violated any previous treaties with anyone, in that case everyone will not trust you very well.

 

[eyrei]

Originally posted by Guid
I've been keeping my science at like 70% and happiness at like 30%. Is that too little?

What is your goverment. If you are still in despotism, you should not need very much in happiness. Even if you are in republic, you should only need 10% unless you are at war. Keep your science the same, and decrease your happiness to 10 %. If none of your cities go into disorder, leave it like this.

 

[Bamspeedy]

I've been keeping my science at like 70% and happiness at like 30%. Is that too little?

This means that 0% is going into your treasury. I would back happiness down to 20%, and science down to 60%, then that way 20% would go to your treasury. If you can't turn happiness down, then you don't have enough luxuries and/or happiness buildings to keep them happy, so you better start working on building those happiness buildings or getting some luxuries by trade or conquer.

 

[NY Hoya]

Originally posted by Hurricane

Addintionally, trade aggressively with your neighbors.

This can not be stressed enough. You must trade with the AI constantly. Sell them techs for lots of gold/turn. Sell them luxuries for gold/turn or other luxuries. Sell them your world map for gold, but only after you have settled the areas you want to settle.

 

[Guid]

Yeah, I was beating the heck out of Persia and couldn't take them over, I guess they get stronger when backed into a corner. They asked for a treaty and I said yes. After that everyone hated me. The Germans said, "Persia told us about you."

 

[Guid]

You guys are awesome!! I definitely have enough luxuries, so happiness is going to be put down!!

 

[Guid]

I have a Monarchy

 

[Bamspeedy]

Yeah, I was beating the heck out of Persia and couldn't take them over, I guess they get stronger when backed into a corner. They asked for a treaty and I said yes. After that everyone hated me. The Germans said, "Persia told us about you."

Did you have any treaties with the Persians before you attacked Persia, like a Right of Passage agreement? I always check if I have any treaties by contacting them, then in the diplomacy screen, click 'active' at the bottom. Make sure all deals are canceled, before attacking them.

 

[sealman]

Originally posted by NY Hoya


This can not be stressed enough. You must trade with the AI constantly. Sell them techs for lots of gold/turn. Sell them luxuries for gold/turn or other luxuries. Sell them your world map for gold, but only after you have settled the areas you want to settle.

I have never been able to trade a luxury for a luxury AI always wants more.

 

[eyrei]

Yeah. But usually, I can get a luxury for a luxury plus a few gold/turn. Every twenty turns you have to renegotiate, and add another 1-2 gold/turn.

 

[sealman]

I'll give them a god or two but they always want 2 or 3 tech's.

 

[eyrei]

Originally posted by sealman
I'll give them a god or two but they always want 2 or 3 tech's.

Remove the techs from the table, and offer them a significant amount of gold/turn. You are probably leading them by a significant margin if they want that much. Also, sometimes the AI tries to trick you into giving more than they actually require. Try simply removing one of the techs and they may still be willing.