Playing as the Zulus

[Achilles517]

I've been playing Civ III for a while, usually on Regent level. I normally like scientific/cultural civs (I'm a builder), but for a change of pace I started playing civs like the Aztecs and Zulus. I searched the forum, but most of the Zulu-oriented posts were about hating the AI Zulus rather than playing as them.

In my opinion, Militaristic/Expansionist is a tough combo to play. Obviously the Zulus should be aggressive early, finding goody huts and building Heroic Epic ASAP. Once the game settles down a bit though, they have no trait that makes buildings cheaper or gives bonuses. Usually, the commercial/industrial/scientific/religous civs start to slip ahead in time periods of relative peace.

Also, I'd like tips on using Impis (an awsome unique unit, IMO). They are perfect in the early game for protecting cities, hunting down barbarians, etc. They also make great pillagers in enemy territory, as even swordsmen hesitate to attack them if they are in defensible terrain. Beyond that, is there anything else I should be using these guys for? (Getting Great Leaders and a Golden Age is assumed).

Thanks.

 

[thefrenchzulu]

the Zulu's are under played. They are great for resource denial early attacks. The need to be combined with horses with very easy conquer. Once youve secure iron with a few impi and disconnected horses, you will beat the ai hands down!

 

[Hades]

I would not even wait to get iron, I use impies to attack with archers. archers are faster to produce and as a military civ you should be able to build them from the start. The impies are also very good on destroying your emeny's roads.

 

[HenriIV]

IMHO their huge drawback is that you trigger your GA way too early with Impis. I like my GA much later, preferably in Modern Ages (strong point for the Germans and their Panzers :soldier: ), but find militaristic always tough to play on Emperor or Deity...

 

[bobgote]

The zulus are great. I just slaughtered my way to a domination victory (still don't have the mindset for straight out conquest, so i'll always get the domination first) in monarch. I love them. Favourite civ. I actually modded it (tho it's back to original settings now) so that the impi was 3.2.2 and replaced swordsman, to make it more accurate historically. For them to be really effective, combine them with horsemen as thefrenchzulu said, use them as a mobile support unit, to quickly reinforce captured towns. Try to get the early lead with early military dominance, expansion and scouting. Stay aggressive to get the best value from them, kill civs, only stay at peace to build your forces. The early GA supports this play. I will have to move up to emperor soon to see if it still works then.