the strategy for me in monarch is that i had to learn how to A) starting kicking a$$ early and B) start actually engaging AI's for some key tech around 1500AD and later. vassalizing at least one civ actually has helped me a whole lot, which is where the kicking a$$ early part was essential.
have i won a monarch game yet? no. but i've come close. basically i still get mainly diplomatically defeated, which is now why i'm much more tempted now to turn off diplo victory than i am to turn off TT.
also, i've stopped trying to found more than one religion. it seems trying to found multiple religions, unless it comes incidentally, is more for someone trying a culture strategy than it is for someone trying either a space race victory or a simple score/time out victory (what i usually try). that extra 10% science for monasteries isn't worth me studying the wrong tech when i need to be studying something more practical.
oh, also i've learned that Hateshput, my fave leader, is not good at this. i play Shaka or the Inca guy now if i'm playing with TT on.
so to recap, i've learned that founding a religion is nice, but not essential. i've learned to expand early much better. i've learned to kick at least one civ's a$$, and more and as many as logically possible, and that i have to please the leading AI's depending on the situation.
how do i feel about this? i've become a better Civ4 player, but i can't really say i enjoy the game more because i'm playing better. this is because i'm a natural builder/culture guy, not some bloodthirsty axeman rusher, etc. but that's what works. that said, i just might revert to the guy that turns TT off to enjoy the way i want to play more
