Please help me choose a Civ for my first Immortal Campaign

[Marshall Thomas]

I'm about to begin my first Immortal game (always use to play on Emperor) and I'm trying to decide which Civ to play as.

In my last Emperor game, I dominated as the Netherlands. Even though The Netherlands don't have a unique ability that has synergy with the Patronage tree (like Greece, Siam or Austria), I ran away with the game by combining Papal Primacy with The Patronage branch. This strategy was so successful that it seems to me like it'd be over-powered with Greece or Siam.

In my upcoming Immortal game, I don't wish to avoid Papal Primacy and Patronage at all cost; but because playing as Greece, Siam or Austria would almost guarantee that I'd pick Patronage and Papal Primacy (if I can), I've ruled out playing as any of those three civs. By the way, I suppose my last campaign might have been a lot more interesting if I had had a powerful Greece among my AI opponents.

I'd also like to rule out Civs with a military advantage (like China, for example). My feeling is that, even though I'm moving up to Immortal for the first time, that it's still hard enough for the AI to compete with the player on the battlefield as it is, without the player having extra advantages (like China's superior great generals).

I'm tempted to play as Egypt just because I've read that Wonders are really much harder to get in the leap from Emperor to Immortal. As Egypt this would be less so, but everything else would still be more challenging.

I'm also tempted to play as a civ that specializes in science.

Who would you recommend? I'll be playing on a large continents map on epic speed with 16 total civs and 25 city-states. Thanks in advance.

edit: I forgot to mention that I'm also interested in Civs that have synergy with Autocracy and Order. In my last few games, I always end up going for the Freedom tree and I'd like to have a motive to go Autocracy or Order, other than just doing it because I haven't before.

also: is there a way to change a civ's border colors before starting a game? Egypt's border color, for example, doesn't blend with the land as well as say... China's border color does. Thanks again

 

[Yzman]

Try the Maya. They are science based, fun, and a unique experience.

 

[ense7en]

I'm an Immortal/Emperor player myself, and i'd warn against expecting wonders on Immortal. Not saying you cannot get them, but i wouldn't plan anything based around them.
And getting a religion founded in the first place is a challenge as it is on Immortal...
Of course, i've heard everything is a lot easier on epic speed, so not sure how that will factor in.

I find you need to have a much heavier focus on military as war tends to be the only way to slow down the AI, so it should be a solid challenge as i don't think hitting 16 civs will be too easy on a large map.

Motive for Autocracy is war...so if you aren't planning on domination or heavy warfare, it'll be a lot less useful.

 

[Slvynn]

My advice? Play Random.
Roll your civ, and then dig for your opportunities, based on: Terrain you started and Your rolled Civ.
Those 2 factors could tell you which game you could play, and you will need to do the choice and play it well. And thats a amazing and exciting part, that there many ways, and you will never know what will be your next game. If you new to Immortal, and have too strict plan, you could face difficulties, which could ruin your plan, so u will be less satisfied with time you spent for a game.
Just flow with Random, roll, see your pick and starting position, and then think. Then come to forums, and dig about possible developments from your 1st turn screenshot.

 

[Michl2602]

I would also suggest the Maya, but would focus on their science abilities (rationalism) instead of
their religious abilities (piety) and take the religion as a nice addon.

Other good possibilities are playing Songhai (triple income of conquered cities and barb camps) or
Persia (the 50% golden age increase together with the right wonders and the 20% military boost
during golden ages is a mighty weapon) for domination.

The Aztecs are also good to play for domination, and as you don't need scouts you can have quite much (and compared to the others) strong military early on. Just build Jaguars as much as you can and time your science in a way that they don't get obsoleted for long. They keep their mobility promotion when upgraded.

But as you suggest Egypt, you're probably looking for a cultural victory. Sorry: No experiences at that level. :-(

PS.: And yes, as somebody said in another answer: It's far beyond of an average level of skill (aka mine) to win a peaceful game on immortal, so all civs that have a military bonus early on (eg. Greece, Romans) are probably good choices.

 

[OmniPotent42]

I would not go for Austria if you are focusing on patronage, as their UA doesn't help maintain relationships or provide bonuses like Siam or Greece. I would go Commerce with them.

 

[danieladler]

Austria is good, cause at immortal level you will find it almost impossible to keep control over a cs without diplomatic marriage or taking it by force. So thats a strong pro for Maria Teresa idd. Plus you get all the units of the CS which is truly imba.

 

[Lyoncet]

My advice would be to play a civ that isn't tooled for a specific type of play. Especially religion, since that will take some time to get used with the difficulty of beating AI to breakpoints. Also, one that diesn't fubdamentally change a mechanic. So I'd advise against, say, the Austrias (big mechanic change) and Greeces (hyper-focused) in favor of, say, Arabia, Denmark, China, etc. That way, you should get a much better idea of what to expect from future games, and you have a greater range of choices in terms of what play style suits that particular game best.

 

[RealHuhn]

Synergy with Order:

Inca, Russia, Rome. All three have awesome production and are generally better when you build a lot of cities.

Inca have their start-bias on hills and can generally work more hills due to the terrace farm. Also cheap roads.

Russia can sell tons of horses and iron for early cash and get more production.

Rome is also obvious. +25% production combined with cheap factories and less maintanance costs for buildings from Order works very well.

 

[Moriarte]

You are going for a peaceful science play if i read right. Ethiopia is my favorite civ on Deity. You are guaranteed a religion on Immortal (especially with initial tradition focus) hence, happiness/money can be abundant, plus defensive bonuses let you get away with smaller military. UU is nothing special though. However, as Lyoncet rightly mentioned, you might find it hard surviving when you play someone else AFTER you play Ethiopia on Immortal. Some wonders are next to guaranteed on Immortal if you play your cards right (Leaning Tower, PT, Hubble .. the important late ones, basically). Siam is also strong, but you have to have CS allies to have an edge. Mayans are Mayans (no matter where random gods put you). Free GS+GE is a blast.

 

[doveni]

Well this might not be the "perfect choices" but those are my suggestions only:
Domination: Aztec, Germany
Science: Babylon, Korea
Culture: Shongai, India
Diplomacy: Siam, Greece
All arround: Arabia, China, Rome...

Its important to pursue your victory choice from the very begining of the game. Be patient, sometimes things do not look very well, but you manage to overcome your problems.

Immortal was a huge jump from emperor, for me. Have a couple wins on Deity as well, but I find Immortal most comfortable to play.

Good luck, and let us know what was your choice!