Playing Shaka

[darski]

I have been thinking that I need to expand my Civability by playing Civs I never consider.

If I were to play a game as Shaka, what would I need to know to make the traits of Militaristic & Expansionist (vanilla) work?

I prefer an offensive UU so the Impi does not seem like a good idea.

What strengths do I get if I play them? (Or, why should I get out of my comfort zone for this Civ)

If others would like to recommend a different Civ for me to play, please make those suggestions as well.

 

[Tomoyo]

For expansionist, build scouts. Your first build (and maybe even second, if the map is a Pangaea) should be a scout. This is in addition to the scout you already get. Make sure you aggressively seek out all the goody huts.

Take advantage of the militaristic trait, naturally, by fighting. You can build more veteran units earlier on because of the cheap barracks you get, which means that, as you are expanding, you can also have more cities building barracks, then troops.

The Impi is an interesting unit. You can use it as a spearman, but its greatest use is as a pillager. It does come a little early, so if you don't want a despotism GA, you'll have to have it miss its most useful stage. It's also great as an offensive unit to escort horsemen all over the place. Its mobility also means that you don't need as many of them to defend your border, leaving you with more units to attack your opponent with.

I generally don't find the civs different enough that I'd change my playing style though. Try France. France is fun.

 

[metamike]

I do Random civs no matter what difficulty (even Diety).

I've had Shaka several times.

And. I. Love. The. Impi.

Don't you dare say they're bad for offensive strategy.

They are godlike at pilliaging, capturing workers, capturing settlers, and running up to and fortifying on the tile where your archer/swordsman just killed an enemy unit, then running 3 tiles away to your current attack force (on roaded tiles)

I wouldn't make any scouts, but instead explore with the one you start with, and use that exploration to both trade techs with any civs you find, and to settle the good spots that have luxuries in them which you find with your scout.

A war in Ancient Ages ia a godlike idea.

Every game I played with shaka I had 1-2 great leaders befoer Middle Age started, allowing me to beat the AI to wonders even on Deity mode.

I'd also make a barrack in EVERY military unit producing town, which also contributes to bigger chance of leaders.

As for governments I'd go Despotism->Monarchy-> whatever government fits your victory type, even if it is Republic

~Lemon-eyed demon of Brahah

 

[lurker322]

another good thing about the impi is that they are fast enough to cover and defend horsemen.

 

[Pyrrhos]

I do Random civs no matter what difficulty (even Diety).

I've had Shaka several times.

And. I. Love. The. Impi.

Don't you dare say they're bad for offensive strategy.

They are godlike at pilliaging, capturing workers, capturing settlers, and running up to and fortifying on the tile where your archer/swordsman just killed an enemy unit, then running 3 tiles away to your current attack force (on roaded tiles)

I wouldn't make any scouts, but instead explore with the one you start with, and use that exploration to both trade techs with any civs you find, and to settle the good spots that have luxuries in them which you find with your scout.

A war in Ancient Ages ia a godlike idea.

Every game I played with shaka I had 1-2 great leaders befoer Middle Age started,

Well said, that man!

Impis are superb to take out the Maya, Aztec and Inca civs which usually end up next to you!

 

[jb1964]

Try France. France is fun.

I love France. Yes, I know the power of the Ag trait but I'm curiously drawn to the industrious trait. Also the commercial benefits are easy to use. I mean, who can't use more money?

The posts below want me to fire up an Emp Shaka game and start fighting from the very start. I'm probably guilty of placing too much importance on a non-despotic golden age.

Hmmmm, great food for thought. Tastes like chicken.

 

[Sashie VII]

I'm probably guilty of placing too much importance on a non-despotic golden age.

Me too One of these days I'm gonna try AW as Zulu..