[NFP] Observatories are amazing/So, what do you think of my Maya start?

[yung.carl.jung]

People tend to forget that Korea has other bonuses besides the Seowon that are very impactful. A % increase in science AND culture is just bonkers in the lategame (pretty useless early on realistically). And even better, they don't have maluses (which for the Maya honestly are ridiculous, considering how little upside they have..). I agree however with others that the comparison is pretty tedious, so maybe we should move on.

 

[Fluphen Azine]

I'm in this Standard Deity Apocalyptic Mode Maya Game.
Playing blind with no reloads.
I settled turn 4 because I spawned right next to a Volcano.
I had a few choices but decided to move to this plains hill.
My warrior went west and chased down a goody hut.
I was very lucky when I got to turn 4 my settler found two Culture City States.
Two First meets at the same time made the culture tree go very fast.
Turn 44 Political Philosophy.
The game looks like an easy turtle type of game.
The land isn't easy to go Warmongering.

Now onto this thread topic.
How are Observatories so amazing??
I have this mountain campus spot that should be great at El Mirador.
It seems mountains have no effect on Observatories for adjacency?
Perhaps I should just focus on Theater Squares in this game.
I don't like the observatory at all compared to the campus.
It also appears a volcanic eruption can kill your population?
I guess if you are working the tiles as my capital is 3 tiles away from it

Spoiler Turn 3 :

Spoiler Turn 43 :

 

[Casualty of war]

Because of the Wheat, Maize, Incense and Dyes, you have multiple +5 Observatory spots. Once I found out I didn't have an AI neighbor breathing down my neck, I would have Pottery-Writing-Irrigation beelined and let the City States feed me Culture. The El Mirador spot can be a Holy Site. But your strategy should turn out well too.

 

[Fluphen Azine]

Because of the Wheat, Maize, Incense and Dyes, you have multiple +5 Observatory spots. Once I found out I didn't have an AI neighbor breathing down my neck, I would have Pottery-Writing-Irrigation beelined and let the City States feed me Culture. The El Mirador spot can be a Holy Site. But your strategy should turn out well too.

Thanks!
Obviously, I still haven't wrapped my head around this Civ.
I'm having a tough time figuring out where strong observatories should be placed.
I guess you just have to put in the work of buying the tiles and improving the rest to get the adjacency.
I certainly don't have a "strategy" as this map is more about builder mode and peacemonger.
I crave War!

 

[Casualty of war]

Most civs you are happy if you find a Builder in a Tribal Village; with Maya, you are ecstatic. So Builder charge hungry!

Their Archers, with some fast moving unit to wound your target first, are nothing to sneeze at also.

 

[Fluphen Azine]

Most civs you are happy if you find a Builder in a Tribal Village; with Maya, you are ecstatic. So Builder charge hungry!

Their Archers, with some fast moving unit to wound your target first, are nothing to sneeze at also.

I just play them like @Victoria says: Kill and Win!
I just find them a bit goofy as they do things different compared to what we are used to.
I am really in love with City State Levy!!
I want to keep this Culture City State but I like this city so probably just keep it.
Even though its beside a volcano it has a CH, TS and Encampment with Nitre.
Rome must Fall.