regarding the war with Catherine, I bombarbed with one cat, threw one in, and then took it. I think the big delay there was from getting wrecked trying to move to the next city. I left the archers + 1 praet behind, sent two to smash the iron, and sent the rest + 3 cats towards the next city. The stack was way too small and she smashed into it, killing a few praets and bringing everything down to a few HP. I had to stop and wait for a healer + reinforcements.
I played the rest of the game today but didn't take too many screenshots. After taking Catherine I told her to research Nat while I teched paper. Put a bulb into Edu, next guy used for a golden age, and then traded her edu for Nat, libbed Mt.. Charly dogpiled on Joao so I quickly took out Sully with cuirs while they were all distracted. Joao vassaled to Charly, and this angered Khmer+Celts who both DOW on them. I joined the dogpile and capped Charly/Joao next!
From here It was only a matter of time before Celts/Khmer declare on me, so when Boudica goes red fist I strike first! Up here we have four cities surrounded by friendly culture:
I declare, and instantly Raze Lagos. I take Khazak, and return it to it's rightful owner. All of a sudden Joao's culture stretches to the other two cities, and I can now take all four cities on the first turn!
Boudica brings Khmer into the war, but then she uses AP end the war vote.. I go along with it because I remember how bad that hurts :X. I get a peace treaty with Boudica, but now Khmer is fair game!
He capitulates within a few turns, and it seems like Boudica should be no problem. Unfortunately she hits rifling 1 turn before the peace treaty expires, and these Cuirassier are not upgraded properly to deal with that! I send in the hoarde anyways and whip like a madman, often throwing away 3 cuir for every 1 rifle. It's slowgoing, but eventually I raze enough of her cities that she gives in. Catherine even took a few cities herself with her Cossack! Not a great end date and some really sloppy play, but still a fun game!
. Just as I'm about to end a turn, out of the corner of my eye I notice this bastard is coming in for a sneak attack through Catherine's land..
