Phaedo02- Rage_Against_The_Machine

[Elephantium]

Pre-turn:

Move a lot of troops up to Bob's Texas Ranch in preparation for our advance on Harran.
Do some MMing

Sapporo now has Settler and growth in 2 instead of 2/4.
Rush Settlers in many places that will grow next turn.
Bombard Hittite Frigate, miss

IT:

Hittite Cav attacks Bobs Texas Ranch and retreats.
Alex wants to renegotiate our Gems deal. We decline to continue it.

Nara: Settler->Settler
Osaka: SE->Military Academy
Groningen: Factory->Coal Plant
Suo: Settler->Settler
Echizen: Settler->Settler
Izumo: Settler->Settler
Bizen: Settler->Settler
WilliesHillyBilly: SE->Courthouse
Satsuma: Settler->Settler
Nagoya: Settler->Settler
New Nara: Settler->Settler
New Nagasaki: Settler->Settler
New Matsuyama: Settler->Settler

Turn 1 (1350 AD):

We kill the retreated Hittite Cav and the Rifleman at Bob's (2-0)
Hmm, Greece has Steel now.
Found New Sapporo near Hattusha. This gets us Salt. Making Wealth.
Found Tusker's Riverbend N of New Sapporo. Making Wealth.
Lots of settlers move into position for next turn.

IT:

Kyoto: Factory->Coal Plant
Nagasaki: Coal plant->SE
New Kyoto: Settler->Settler
New Osaka: Settler->Settler
New Yokohama: Settler->Settler

Turn 2 (1360 AD):

Found Desert Fish near Leiden.
Found New Hakodate near Phaedoville.
Found Sugar Lake near Buce's Chokepoint.
Found Milk River near Tusker's Riverbend.
Found Northill on the hill N of Bob's ranch.
Found Whalewatchers near Hattusha.
Found New Ise near WhaleWatchers.
Found New Toyama near Northill.
All of them are making Wealth.
Our cannoneers set up camp on the mountain E of Harran.

IT:

Greece declares on China!
Hittites land some Cavs near Kyoto.
Tokyo: SE->Rifle
WilliesHillyBilly: Courthouse->Rifle
Tobacco Farm: Coal Plant->SE
Sapporo: Settler->Wealth
Hakodate: Worker->Worker

Turn 3 (1365 AD):

The siege of Harran begins.
2 eCavs < Rifle (2-2), two more retreat.
vCav > Rifle, promote (3-2)
2 vCav > Rifle (5-2)
vCav < Rifle (5-3), another retreats.
3 vCav < Rifle (5-6). He was redlined for the last two attackers. STUPID RNG!
FINALLY a cav kills that rifle! (6-6)
Cav > Longbow. Harran razed, and the cav promotes.
Army kills a longbow and the two Cavs next to Kyoto. (9-6)
Found Northern Smokes next to the mountain where our cannons are camped. Wealth.
Found New Fukushima near Amsterdam (there's an empty spot in the tundra there). Harbor.

I trade with China. Dyes, Ivory, Democracy, and Navigation, plus WM, 16gpt and 8 gold in exchange for Nationalism and Steam Power.

IT:

We lose our supply of Dyes
Eep, I forgot to move units after loading the save and lose Northern Smokes!
Kagoshima: Intelligence Agency->SE
Green Fields: SE->Rifle

Turn 4 (1370 AD):

Army takes care of 3/4 of the cavs landed near Kyoto. (12-6). Samurai takes care of the fourth (13-6). Another of our cavs kills the cav that razed Northern Smokes. (14-6)
Dune Sea founded near Sapporo. Wealth.

IT:

Amsterdam: Coal Plant->Se
Tokyo: Rifle->Rifle
Omi: Settler->Settler
Izumo riots. Sigh, adjust by hiring taxmen.
WilliesHillyBilly: Rifle->Rifle
New Kagoshima: Settler->Settler
Greece completes ToE.

Turn 5 (1375 AD):

Sandsong founded near Sapporo. Wealth.
2 Cavs > Rifles at Hubishna (16-6)
Abandon Leiden
Found New Suo next to Leiden's ruins. Two more cities will fit on that peninsula soon.
MM to get 1-turn Rifles in Tokyo for the remainder of the GA.

IT:

Yikes! Willie finally decides to do something and lands a Longbow next to Kyoto. Fool!
Kyoto: Coal Plant->SE
Tokyo: Rifle->Rifle
Green Fields: Rifle->Rifle
Shimonoseki: Settler->Settler

Turn 6 (1380 AD):

Cav > Rifle at Hubishna (17-6)
New Bizen founded next to ex-Leiden. Wealth.
Rifle > Longbow at Kyoto, promote to elite (18-6)

IT:

Nortonburg Rifle > Hittite Cav (19-6)
Kagoshima: SE->Wall Street
Groningen: Coal Plant->SE
Suo riots. Sigh, adjust workers.
Sado : Settler->Settler
Toyama: Settler->Settler
Tokyo: Rifle->Rifle
Echigo: Settler->Settler
WilliesHillyBilly: Rifle->Rifle
Tobacco Farm: SE->Rifle
Nagasaki: SE->Rifle
New Edo: Settler->Settler

Turn 7 (1385 AD):

3 Cavs > Rifles (22-6), Hubishna razed.
Found Sugar Pond next to Sugar Lake. Wealth.
New Echizen founded near the old Leiden site. Wealth.
Try to plant a spy in Athens. Fail, Greeks DOW.
Sell China Medicine for 53 gold + 19gpt. They'll be gone in 1-2 turns, so it makes sense to get what gold we can get from them right now.
Found Seaside Villa near Bob's Ranch. Wealth.
3 Cavs coordinate to destroy Alaca Huyuk: One retreats, one dies, one wins. (23-7)

IT:

Osaka: Military Academy->Army
Tokyo: Rifle->Rifle
Green Fields: Rifles

Turn 8 (1390 AD):

Frigate > Willie's Galley, promote to elite (24-7)
Phoenix Ashes founded on the old site of Norther Smokes. Wealth.
Rifle > Spear at Amsterdam (25-7)

IT:

RIP, China. Greece now owns their entire continent.
Nara riots. Adjust.
Lugdunum: Settler->Settler
Suo: Settler->Settler
Tokyo: Rifle->Rifle
Matsuyama: Settler->Settler
Izumi: Settler->Settler
WilliesHillyBilly Rifles
Tobacco Farm Rifles
Nagasaki Rifles
New Satsuma: Settler->Settler
Production in Kyoto has been sabotaged!

Turn 9 (1395 AD):

Cav > longbow (26-7)
Change Entremont to a Temple for the happiness - Entremont is size 8 and struggling to stay happy.
Cheeseland founded near Tuskerny. Wealth.
Abandon Hakodate
New Izumi, New Omi founded next to Hakodate's ruins. All Wealth.
New Echigo founded near Kobe. Wealth.

IT:

Amsterdam: SE->Rifle
The Hague: SE->Factory
Tokyo: Rifle->Rifle
Arnhem: Settler->Frigate
Green Fields: Rifle->Rifle
Neo-Tokyo: Settler->Settler

Turn 10 (1400 AD):

Our Frigate sinks a Dutch galley. He fortifies by Willie's island due to being yellow-lined in the assault. 27-7
New Kozuke founded near the ruins of Hakodate. Wealth.

Note: I have several Rifles fortified in Kagoshima; they're the ones built in the last couple of turns in the core. Also, there are several combat settlers in two stacks of troops up in the last Hittite holdouts on our continent. The cav army is redlined and healing in Osaka. Finally, I suggest that we start building more Harbors and Frigates in corrupt towns - we'll need them if we ever intend to invade Alex's continent.

 

[Elephantium]

...and as an aside, work wasn't as calm as I thought. Although I was supposed to have the day off, my boss called me around noon to ask me to come in and help out. I ended up spending six hours at the office, helping to get ready for the deadline on that project.

 

[Bucephalus]

Finally, I suggest that we start building more Harbors and Frigates in corrupt towns - we'll need them if we ever intend to invade Alex's continent.

Not so; firstly, we'll be doing so in a time of peace, and secondly, I'd anticipate having transports by then.

The rioting was caused by WW; losing that city was really careless.

 

[Bucephalus]

Norton:

If you are planning on playing this today, can you just hold off for a couple of hours? I can see a way to take advantage of this Greek war, but I just need some time to thrash out the fine detail.

 

[Bucephalus]

Norton:

Post when you know when you'll play - I have a cunning plan.......
it's complicated, though - we'll need to put our heads together.

 

[Bucephalus]

OK, this is how it works:

Pre-turn:

The first thing Norton has to do is mm the Celtic territories; we have size six towns, unable to grow any more, yet still working food - 26 fpt in some cases - not a taxman in sight.

It's costing us a fortune - unbelievably sloppy - and as you'll see, my plan requires every gold piece that we can muster.

Then we need to switch all those Settler builds to something useful - it might as well be Cannons, we'll still be making enough gold post-GA to afford the upgrades when the time comes - and as you'll see, we have room for only a few more towns.

Then we need to move the galleons (currently in Groningen) to Arnhem, before Greek shipping makes it impossible; This is extremely important - from Arnhem, we can land troops on Willie's island in one turn.

Then, I estimate that we will have five turns until Alex will talk.

Use this time to eliminate Hittites from the continent.

Do not begin any builds that will overrun turn four - as builds complete, switch to building Wealth; again, this is very important.

WW might start to be a problem - losing that city really hurt us. MM away WW, do not use the slider.

On turn four, transport as many Cav as possible to Willie's island (obviously maintain a presence on the mainland, sufficient to deal with any landings Alex might make).

The following must all take place on the same turn.

Once Alex will talk, set up this deal:

They Give:

Peace
MA Hittites
MA Dutch
Tech
Tech
(***) Gold

We Give:

Peace
MA Hittites
MA Dutch
(***) GPT

I estimate that if all our major cities are building Wealth, the figure will be roughly what it is now (we are still in the GA, but will have finished by then), around 1,000 gpt.

This should be enough to buy two techs and most of Alex's gold; be careful only to pay gpt - we need our lump sum gold for the next stage.

Once you have established this deal, immediately try and plant a Spy.

If successful, go for a 'safe' steal.
If successful, repeat while our gold lasts - we should have enough for three steals.

It is statistically likely that one of these attempts will fail; if they do, Alex will DOW, and our deals are off - we get back our gpt.

If all are successful, or we fail and Alex doesn't DOW, then attack and eliminate Willie - again, deal ends - we get back our gpt.

The worst that can happen is that we get two free techs, and are back at war with Alex.

He will even eliminate the remaining Hittite cities for us.

Don't forget to switch production back to Rifles.

Norton, if you follow this to the letter, you will have no problems; if you are unclear about anything please don't play until we've been in touch.

This is a golden opportunity - it needs to be played well not quickly.

 

[Norton II]

It all sounds perfectly clear to me, but I'll keep the page open as I'm playing. I'll start in a couple of hours (after lunch).

 

[Bucephalus]

It all sounds perfectly clear to me, but I'll keep the page open as I'm playing. I'll start in a couple of hours (after lunch).

OK, mate; we need a big set from you.

I'm available if you have any questions.

One final thought: if Alex lands any units, they will still be there after peace.

In the worst case scenario (three successful steals, and you were unable to get troops to Willie's island - an unlikely series of events), a 'leave or declare' should do the trick.

Or wait a turn, then try an 'immediate' steal.

Good luck.

 

[Norton II]

I just got an MGL and built an army. Should we fill it with cavs now or wait until we get RP, then fill it with infantry? We'll have another army built in Osaka soon, so I'd like to make another cav army now and use the next one for infantry.

Also, are you sure about switching all the settlers to cannons? We still have lots of room for tax farms. Naturally, I'm not going to rush any settlers right now, but we may want more in a little while.

 

[Bucephalus]

I just got an MGL and built an army. Should we fill it with cavs now or wait until we get RP, then fill it with infantry? We'll have another army built in Osaka soon, so I'd like to make another cav army now and use the next one for infantry.

Your call, mate; with all our cities, we'll have no shortage of Armies.

Also, are you sure about switching all the settlers to cannons? We still have lots of room for tax farms. Naturally, I'm not going to rush any settlers right now, but we may want more in a little while.

Again, your call; if you can see the space, go for it.

 

[Norton II]

I went with a cav army. As for the settlers, I'll switch a few builds back over soon.

I'm on the fifth turn. I made peace with Alex for MAs against the Hittites and Dutch, along with electricity and steel; we agreed to pay 844 gpt. However, our attempt to plant a spy failed, and we're at war again. I'm taking a break for now; I'll play more later this evening.

 

[Bucephalus]

I went with a cav army. As for the settlers, I'll switch a few builds back over soon.

I'm on the fifth turn. I made peace with Alex for MAs against the Hittites and Dutch, along with electricity and steel; we agreed to pay 844 gpt. However, our attempt to plant a spy failed, and we're at war again. I'm taking a break for now; I'll play more later this evening.

That's cool; two techs for nothing, and we'll do it all over again next time he'll talk.

Well done.

BTW, you'll need to wait four turns before trying to plant another Spy; have a crack at it on your last turn.

You might as well finish Willie, if you haven't already; we don't want Greece having cities that close to us - they will have bombers soon. Make sure the captured cities are well defended though - we'll lose our WW when Hittites die, and we don't want it back.

 

[Elephantium]

Not so; firstly, we'll be doing so in a time of peace, and secondly, I'd anticipate having transports by then.

The rioting was caused by WW; losing that city was really careless.

True, true. I had two defenders ready to cover it, but they were fortified, and I forgot to move them when I came back to the computer after posting regarding trading with China.

As for the tax farms, I was trying to encourage high growth rates to support Settler production - and I missed a couple of size 6ers that needed switching to taxmen That's what I get for staying up late to finish the set instead of breaking for the night and coming back to it when my mind is sharp again.

Sorry, team. I should have been more careful while playing that last set

 

[Bucephalus]

That's what I get for staying up late to finish the set instead of breaking for the night and coming back to it when my mind is sharp again.

Sorry, team. I should have been more careful while playing that last set

No worries, it's not the end of the world.

It's a lesson well learned - never sacrifice efficiency for speed.

 

[Norton II]

I'm on turn 8 now. The Greeks have been landing a fair number of units, and while we've managed to keep the kill ratio in our favor and not lose any cities, war weariness has increased substantially. I'm afraid we have to use the lux slider for the time being--MMing would starve some of our core cities. Also, Alex has bombers now, and I don't think marines can be too far behind.

 

[Bucephalus]

I'm on turn 8 now. The Greeks have been landing a fair number of units, and while we've managed to keep the kill ratio in our favor and not lose any cities, war weariness has increased substantially. I'm afraid we have to use the lux slider for the time being--MMing would starve some of our core cities. Also, Alex has bombers now, and I don't think marines can be too far behind.

Are we still at war with the Hittites?

We shouldn't be getting WW from Greece at all.

Make peace with Mursilis, and leave him to the Greeks.

 

[Norton II]

Are we still at war with the Hittites?

We shouldn't be getting WW from Greece at all.

Make peace with Mursilis, and leave him to the Greeks.

Done for 90 gold (everything he had). I could have demanded free artistry instead, but I really don't think that'll help us now.

That did the trick, too. We've still got a little WW (probably from all the bombardment), but not enough to worry about.

 

[Bucephalus]

Excellent.

Alex won't make peace in your set, so there is nothing to lose by trying to plant a Spy on your last turn.

What is the situation regarding Willie and Mursilis?

 

[Norton II]

Just finished the last turn. Tried to plant a spy but failed. Mursilis is off our continent, but the Greeks haven't finished him off yet. We finished Willie off five turns back. I'll post the writeup later tonight.

 

[Norton II]

First off, the save: View attachment Rage_1450AD_Norton.SAV

Preflight:
-make a bunch of taxmen, change taxman in The Hague to cop, change builds with no shields invested to wealth--gpt now over 1100
-move galleons and frigate toward Arnhem, will arrive in 3 turns; move elite frigate near Delft toward Arnhem
IBT:
-Hittites lose longbow and rifle attacking our cavalry (2-0)
-Kyoto stock exchange>wealth; Kagoshima Wall Street>wealth; Tokyo, WHB, Tobacco Farm, and Nagasaki rifle>wealth
-caught Greek spy trying to steal plans
1:
-kill 3 rifles in Adana (5-0), get MGL! Adana razed, Hittite cannon captured
-Greek destroyer spotted
IBT:
-GA ends--gpt down to 992
-Amsterdam rifle>wealth; Groningen and Kobe SE>wealth
2:
-settle New Sado
-Greek transport spotted
IBT: Green Fields rifle>wealth
3:
-kill one rifle, lose one rifle, autoraze Emar (6-1)
-found Hakodate
IBT:
-New Fukushima harbor>wealth
-Izumo SE>wealth
4:
-found Kyoto 2
-land cavalry on Willie's Island
IBT: Alex wants to talk--will wait until our turn to make peace
5:
-make peace with Alex: he gives alliances against Willie and Mursilis, electricity, and steel, we give 844 gpt
-attempt to plant spy--fails and Alex redeclares
-kill 3 spears and capture Delft; kill 2 spears and capture Breda (11-1)

No settler on a boat, then. Good.

I just lost the rest of my post (friggin ads!), so I'll finish up later.