Number of Civs/World Size

[Pauley]

I've always played the default 8 civs on a large map. The last few games I've tried 12 civs on the large map, but Im frequently getting a tiny starting island like this one:

http://img512.imageshack.us/i/20090624160347.jpg/







Do you all play the maximum number of civs on any given map or the default number? I dont think I cant be bothered playing from starting positions like this, which I never seemed to get playing 8 civs on large map.

 

[Spoonwood]

No. If I recall correctly, the HoF rules, for example allow for this many tribes per map size:
Tiny 2-3
Small 3-6
Standard 4-7
Large 6-12
Huge 8-16

 

[timerover51]

I've always played the default 8 civs on a large map. The last few games I've tried 12 civs on the large map, but Im frequently getting a tiny starting island like this one:

http://img512.imageshack.us/i/20090624160347.jpg/

Do you all play the maximum number of civs on any given map or the default number? I dont think I cant be bothered playing from starting positions like this, which I never seemed to get playing 8 civs on large map.

I would not call that a bad starting position, although some fish would have helped. You have another land mass just to the east to look at once you have a curragh. For an example of a really BAD starting position, take a look at the most recent Interesting Screen Shot.

As for numbers of opponents, I lean toward having less than the default setting, so as to give me some time to develop before running into the AI. With the default number, I find myself fighting a lot sooner than I would like too. As for going with larger than the default number, you are likely to get some odd starting positions, since the random map generator will try to distribute the starting positions evenly over the map, regardless of what that position is.

 

[Pauley]

No, wasnt too bad. A mid size continent southwards with the Portugese and Koreans. Just spaced CXC on my wee Island, which had both Horses and Iron, then upgraded Curragh's and hit the continent with Swordsmen and Horses. I'll jump Palace to that Continent.

 

[Daeron]

What map settings (archipelago, continents, water %) do you usually play on?

 

[Spoonwood]

Pangea 60% or Archipelago 80%. I think I went pangea 80% for semi-fast domination and conquest victories. I've played 70% archipelago a few times, and 60% also, but I don't think I've ever played a full continents game.

 

[timerover51]

Pangea 60% or Archipelago 80%. I think I went pangea 80% for semi-fast domination and conquest victories. I've played 70% archipelago a few times, and 60% also, but I don't think I've ever played a full continents game.

Continents can be tough ones, as if you play with the maximum number of civilizations, you generally will by two or three fairly close neighbors and you are running short of room for everyone pretty quickly.

 

[Spoonwood]

Continents can be tough ones, as if you play with the maximum number of civilizations, you generally will by two or three fairly close neighbors and you are running short of room for everyone pretty quickly.

I doubt that, on average, that's much different from most pangea games. Actually, I did play *one* full continents game.

 

[Daeron]

I've played mostly continents and archipelago. I think 80 % archipelago remains and 60 % continents are my favourites. But then, I almost never go for domination victory.

I do always use the max number of opponents. I like having AI's reasonably near by. I think it makes you put more thought into your expansion, rather than simply spiraling outward.

 

[undertoad]

I tend to go for Continents 80%. (my favoured VCs are Domination/Conquest/Space).

But this has its difficulties. Like a few things about my gameplay, my choice of this setting has been based on memories of CivII, where you could choose this kind of terrain setting, rush Horseback Riding and ride, ride, ride through acres of virgin territory, popping zillions of goody huts. The Expansionist trait civs, with their bloody scouts, make this nothing but a happy memory.

Unless I start playing Expansionist, of course. But how could I abandon my beloved Greeks?