Rafaelito
Warlord
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2014
- Messages
- 148
The Polynesians used to be quite manageable on Paragon level, but recent updates made things trickier. Culture now grows more slowly on ocean tiles, and both the Maal (UB) and Moai Statues require extra tech. Still, after many failed attempts, I found a consistent way to win at normal speed (Epic and Marathon are currently broken for this civ, even at easier difficulties).
Early Game
Research & Great People Management
When you settle Mahira, work a priest + artist at level 4 to secure another Great Priest about 10-15 turns before the Moai Statues deadline. Make sure to settle this one on the eastern island so you can build the wonder just in time.
Switch to deification, monarchy, thalassocracy and slavery immediately when available.
Your third Great Person must be a Great Artist—use them to culture bomb the second northern island, unlocking access to Hawaii.
Trade & Connectivity
Economy & Research
With income from settled priests and foreign trade, I was able to maintain my research slider between 60–80% for most of the game, which is absolutely crucial to pull off a Paragon victory.
The run is somewhat luck-dependent, since hitting this exact distribution of GP is key.
Early Game
- Settle your capital on the northern island and your second city on the eastern one.
- Build a shrine in both cities, alternating the clam improvement with the second city so you can rush their growth to size 3 and 2 simultaneously.
- For the third city, settle on the Sugar island, even though it’s foreign territory, as it grows faster and gives you extra cash and production.
Research & Great People Management
- Research Divination first, and assign a priest in both your capital and Sugar island.
- Then beeline monarchy > shipbuilding > navigation > masonry > construction.
- Important: Ensure your first Great Person is born in the Sugar island. That because your capital can generate the next one faster.
- Aim to pop two Great Priests early and settle them immediately in your capital to sustain research.
When you settle Mahira, work a priest + artist at level 4 to secure another Great Priest about 10-15 turns before the Moai Statues deadline. Make sure to settle this one on the eastern island so you can build the wonder just in time.
Switch to deification, monarchy, thalassocracy and slavery immediately when available.
Your third Great Person must be a Great Artist—use them to culture bomb the second northern island, unlocking access to Hawaii.
Trade & Connectivity
- Found a city on the gold resource in Papua New Guinea. This gives access to the cape/coast, connecting your trade network to the rest of the world.
- Sell resources aggressively (even your gold) to maximize income.
Economy & Research
With income from settled priests and foreign trade, I was able to maintain my research slider between 60–80% for most of the game, which is absolutely crucial to pull off a Paragon victory.
The run is somewhat luck-dependent, since hitting this exact distribution of GP is key.
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