Pottery v. Animal Husb.

[civ54lyfe]

This is probably simply basic Civ theory that I am ignorant of, but ..

Is going animal husb meaning (instead of pottery) that you are betting on horseman first and forgoing the importance on religion and early-stage science, and committing to a military early game?

 

[compwiz1202]

This is probably simply basic Civ theory that I am ignorant of, but ..

Is going animal husb meaning (instead of pottery) that you are betting on horseman first and forgoing the importance on religion and early-stage science, and committing to a military early game?

Yea, especially if you have early UU horse units. And I also did it with Napolean last night since I saw three sheep near my capital and wanted pastures quick for +1 culture per pasture pantheon. Although I guess I could have gotten pottery first also to get the faith flowing quicker.

 

[DaveMcW]

It's betting on getting extra production and trade-bait in your capital, at the cost of a slower and more expensive Pantheon.

Horsemen are much farther away, and not need anytime soon.

P.S. There are pantheon beliefs that give extra production anyway. Pottery is overpowered.

 

[budweiser]

I think its good if you are Cathy or see a few cows in range. Pottery 2nd isnt a big loss when it comes to writing or even shrines. By turn 15-20 when pottery comes in you could maybe pay cash for the shrine.

 

[civ54lyfe]

It's funny, b/c I find access to Horseman, at times depending on game, vital. The games I've been losing so often lately were b/c (imo) that I wanted a shot at early religion then couldn't continue the game after Byzantine's or Monty's first attacks.

 

[Civsassin]

Why would you go AH first? The only reason to go for anything besides Pottery--> Writing is if you can get a worker out quickly. Without the worker, any tech that allows you to make improvements aren't helping your production until you have one.

 

[Gucumatz]

Going animal husbandry first isn't bad - but I do so normally if I am rushing HG and or Petra.

Revealing a horse adds production to a tile and can help speed up production enough in your cap to get a mounument, scout, whatever a turn faster than with pottery. Plenty of scenarios where AH is a better option.

 

[Carras Dad]

albeit only slightly.

 

[Wargizmo]

If your opening build is scout -> worker or monument -> worker then you may as well tech AH (or mining) first since it will take 2 techs worth of research before the worker finishes.

 

[LuCypher73]

I play on emperor, at that level I dont feel like taking mining or ah causes me any trouble if I have those kind of resources to send my worker to. Generally though if my civ has something along the top branchs unique, or if I want religion then pottery, if coastal then pottery. If uu/ub is somewhere along the middle/bottom paths then more situational. I dont neglect it very long though generally.

 

[The Pilgrim]

Does anyone go mining first? If my only luxuries are mine or quarry based AND I have farmable food nearby I find it is the most natural choice. DOn't go writing first all that often as I wont be able to build a library until I've had time to put a worker and a couple of scouts (or scout warrior) out first.

Sure. Mining is often right on top of my list, I love settling on Mining resources. AH gets the highest priority if starting location has abundant food and low hammers and I don't count on religion. I think a decent portion of Pottery-Writing appeal is in GL, which is something players on low-mid levels tend to pursue. Since the higher you climb in difficulties the less appealing it becomes, Pottery does lose some of its shine. But it's still the best tech to go after most of the time. And not only because of the shrine and the granary. By the time you get your first worker out you usually research one of the resource improving techs anyways. Maximizing the chance to pop a second tier tech from ruins is just a bonus.

 

[Crafty Bison]

Sure. Mining is often right on top of my list, I love settling on Mining resources. AH gets the highest priority if starting location has abundant food and low hammers and I don't count on religion. I think a decent portion of Pottery-Writing appeal is in GL, which is something players on low-mid levels tend to pursue. Since the higher you climb in difficulties the less appealing it becomes, Pottery does lose some of its shine. But it's still the best tech to go after most of the time. And not only because of the shrine and the granary. By the time you get your first worker out you usually research one of the resource improving techs anyways. Maximizing the chance to pop a second tier tech from ruins is just a bonus.

@This. I pretty much follow the exact same thinking, though will go pottery ahead of AH even for high food low prod starts if the food has a granary resource or two.

 

[Civking5]

Less dilemma playing as Huns, they start the game with animal husbandry.

 

[Xger]

It really depends. If you want an early rush, Archery is decent. As Persia or Greece going mining into bronze working is also decent for early warmongering as their UUs are quite strong.

From a blind start though, I would say pottery. Played right it means a granary earlier, which IMO is very important.

 

[budweiser]

I dont like to make a granary too fast unless I have some wheat or some deer.

 

[Browd]

Sometimes granary is the only source of excess food. Growth in your cap is too important to risk early stagnation.

 

[Matthew.]

I generally just go with whatever is closest to luxury resources. Since Calendar and Sailing are through pottery, that tends to be it.

I wouldn't say AH is bad, just that unless you are surrounded by tons of animals to trap, it only potentially delays access to luxury resources. Even the military excuse is weak, as you are not going to be able to do anything with a couple of horsemen and no happiness.

I've also gone Archery first before. On high GPT starts and close neighbors, I tend to like to rush a few archers and harass/box them in.

 

[Love CiV]

I use AH and then beeline to horses if I'm on a pangea map, so I can explore easily.

Other than that, I usually go for pottery, and occasionally mining.

 

[phos_hilaron]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but AH is necessary for a bee-line to Petra if you are going cultural victory. It is occasionally better than pottery...for my play style or start bias.

It probably all boils down to what civ you are playing, your UU or UB and which victory you are pursuing.

 

[Wargizmo]

Does anyone go mining first? If my only luxuries are mine or quarry based AND I have farmable food nearby I find it is the most natural choice. DOn't go writing first all that often as I wont be able to build a library until I've had time to put a worker and a couple of scouts (or scout warrior) out first.

Mining lets you chop down forests, which can be very useful. If you're going worker before scout then it's pretty good, as you can rush your monument, shrine and granary out pretty quick with some chopping.