Out-teching the AI

[Emperor Giulio]

Currently I am trying my hand at Noble, the beginning of the game, I shine. I always play as Rome with Julius and I b-line to Ironworking. I usually make just two cities (including my capital) with Archers for defense, 2 workers and I produce a barrack and at least 5 Praetorians, 4 Axe men and 1 spearman to attack. I rush the neighboring Civ with the highest score and usually crush them. But after the war is when things go horribly wrong, I am behind in techs and I am poor. Does anyone know how I can remedy this problem?

 

[mystyfly]

@Emperor Giulio: Choose your victims with care. Prefer those who build early wonders, avoid Protective civs, prefer those who will be a threat later (like Shaka). I usually rush eighter warmongereres or those who build early wonders. Or both. Always keep in mind that those who build wonders spent their hammers on wonders and not in settlers/units, as they should.

Your economy probabely crushes because you have no scientists and no cottages (no kind of economy, in fact ). If you have many cities, spread far away, make Code of Laws a priority, for courthouses (whip those).

 

[jeffreyac]

I find the same - early axe rush gains me lots of room, which I expand into, and then the economy goes in the tank. But if you cottage like mad, beeline mathematics/currency (for marketplace) and code of laws (for courthouses) and ride out the poor years, your extra-large empire will really take off in mid-to-late game...

Of course, you have to put up with 20-40% science slider for a while, while the price from the early expansion is paid - but even this can be mitigated by use of science specialists to augment research...

 

[mystyfly]

try to have only border cities in the beginning. after your economy recoveres, backfill your land. this too saves lots of money and eventually a settler (barb city).

 

[Emperor Giulio]

Good advice guys, I can't wait to try it out when I get home. I didn't know cottages were essential to my economy; I should stop automating workers.

 

[Emperor Giulio]

WOW!

Last night I took the advice you guys gave me, and it is working out 10 fold!

I spammed cottages and it made all the difference. Currently I have 7 or 8 cities, my Research scale is at 70% and I am doing well technologically. Also my income is on the up and up.

I conquered the Incas, as I was massing an army they were busy making wonders and discovered Judaism and Christianity. They made a nice addition to my empire.

Thanks a lot guys, cottage spamming revolutionized the way I play the game. I'll never automate a worker again.

I think I am finally eligible for Noble.