BOTM 264: Taylor Swift of Spain.
![](https://gotm.civfanatics.net/civ4games/images/botm264civ.jpg)
2023 was enough, so the Time Magazine's person of the year is here to peacefully usher out 2023 and bring you a victorious 2024. In this game, Year 2023 is represented by a Minor Civilization, which is basically like a barbarian civ (everyone is always at war with them). Tier 1 victories will be counted for medals and awards first considering all of the submissions which have eliminated 2023. Only after that, if any awards remain, will victories where 2023 is still alive will be considered. Another thing to note... if any civ loses 6 cities by military takeover from the Minor Civ, it will be wiped off the map. That includes the player. All victories are enabled, and may even all be possible despite the Always Peace condition. Also note that you will play on Epic speed to give you lots to do over the holidays. Enjoy!!!
Game settings:
Playing as: Taylor Swift of Swifties
Rivals: 6 AIs
Difficulty: Monarch
Starting Era: Ancient
Speed: Epic
Options: No barbarians, permanent alliances, always peace, no goody huts, no random events
Victory Conditions: All enabled
Map settings:
Map: Mystery
World Wrap: None
Mapsize: Standard
Climate: Tropical
Sea level: Low
Map latitudes: -90°S to 90°N
Taylor Swift is Spiritual and Expansive, and you start with Mysticism and Fishing.
The Spiritual trait gives no anarchy and double production speed of Temple and Cristo Redentor
The Expansive trait gives +2 health/city and +25% hammers for worker production and double production speed of Granary and Harbor
Unique unit: Conquistador (replaces Cuirassier)
The conquistador has +50% strength against melee units - very useful, provided you can build them before the enemy reaches the gunpowder age! And unlike the cuirassier, the conquistador receives defensive bonuses.
Unique Building: Citadel (replaces Castle)
Besides the usual benefits of the castle, the citadel gives +5XP to siege weapons built in the city.
Starting screenshot
This is the start of the game (click for a bigger image):
![](https://gotm.civfanatics.net/civ4games/images/botm264small.jpg)
Adventurer Class bonuses:
You get an extra settler and archer.
Challenger Class Equalizers:
You play at Immortal difficulty but AI start with Monarch level units.
To Enter the Competition:
This competition will open at 00:01 am on 22 Dec 2023, server local time (UTC-6:00). From that date and time, you'll be able to get your chosen starting save >>>here<<<.
Submit the save after your victory (or defeat) here, by 30 Jan 2024.
Here is a link to a list of the differences between Vanilla, Warlords and BtS.
Software Versions
Windows: This game MUST be played in Beyond the Sword (NOT Civ4 Vanilla or Warlords), patched to version 3.19, and with the BUFFY mod version 3.19.005 installed. You can download the BUFFY mod here. Players using Windows Vista or Windows 7 are encouraged to read the notes on Vista fixes here.
Macintosh: This game MUST be played in Beyond the Sword (NOT Civ4 Vanilla or Warlords), patched to version 3.19, and with the Mac BUFFY mod version 3.19.003 installed. You can download the Mac BUFFY mod here.
While playing...
Remember - for your entry to be accepted, it MUST be your first attempt to play this game, and you MUST NOT replay any turns. If you make a mistake while playing, you have to live with it, learn from it, and carry on the game without replaying.
We will open 'spoiler' threads during the month for players to discuss what happens in their games. Do not discuss any details of your game outside those threads.
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