Priest Economy

[Rex rgis of Ter]

Everyone hates priests. It's a fact, and there's no ignoring it. But prophets can really tip the scales in an early game. All that production and gold in the early game really helps, espescially for wondermongering. Thus I am starting this thread to discuss strategies for the priest economy. I chose Egypt for it's Unique Building, the Obelisk, which allows the assignment of two priests to the city. Ramsess' Industrious trait, coupled with the settled prophets production will make wonders very easy to get. I decided to start a game that is Ramsess, Noble, and Pangea. Here is a shot of the start of the start, and a save.
Obviously, we want to build stonehenge for an early prophet, and Angkor Wat which will be awesome. I assumue we will try to obtain several religions for more priests. I think a Space Victory would be easy from all the money, but a cultural victory would be easy as well.

The Start:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/119814/Civ4ScreenShot0000.JPG

The Save:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/119814/PriestEconomyStart.CivBeyondSwordSave

 

[Rex rgis of Ter]

I started by researching Mysticism and the Polytheism. Once my initail worker was build I built Stonhenge and started my first priests. Hinduism was founded in my capital, and I started on BW. I soon founded Memphis to grab the nearest copper mine. Much to my dismay, Joa was near the capital. He is known for REXing, but so far I have had little trouble. The idiot founded Oporto near my capital which caused many revolts on his side.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/119814/Civ4ScreenShot0006.JPG

My first Gp popped in 1320 B.C. I immediatly settled him and my economy did wonders. The extra gold boosted me from 3rd place in gold to 1st. This also sped the production of the Oracle up about 7 turns. I have been whipping most of my units, and am now on top of score.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/119814/Civ4ScreenShot0012.JPG

I continued growing, with little trouble from outsiders. I built the oracle and took Code of Laws, which caused Confucianism to be founded in Memphis. Unfortunatly, this religion spread to Isabella, and several other players, forcing me to convert.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/119814/Civ4ScreenShot0017.JPG

Another Great Prophet was born and was settled in Memphis. I founded Heliopolis, Elephantine and Alexandria to grab nearby resources. i now intend to found christianity while attacking Joa with the help of my favourite lapdog, Isabella. My plan is to rush Oporto with cats aand axes, and then head for lisbon. I will then either spare the rest of his cities and vassalize him to help with matininence, or I will kill him off.

Amazingly, my matinince is barely touching me, and my economy is great. I attribute this to my prophets who porduced 10gpt. Please give your input as to what I should do next.

Here is the save:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/119814/PriestEconomySession1.CivBeyondSwordSave

 

[mice]

Obsolete in this thread Obsolete's insane walkthrough showed that settling priests is a good idea. Thee is a series of these walkthroughs that you can find if you advance search this forum for threads started by Obsoloete.

That's not to devalue your ideas but just to point out that this strat can work right up to Immortal.

The lack of maintenance in your game can largely be attributed to noble level.

Try it at Prince. I'm sure it will work becasue it works for me.

The only down side is if you want to go Cultural victory. Too amny preists for that.

 

[Rex rgis of Ter]

Thanks for the link, I found it interesting. You have a very valid point. I think I should restart on Prince level, as I usually play Noble. Thanks.

Here's the new save.
http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/119814/PriestEconomy2start.CivBeyondSwordSave

 

[mice]

I like this strat. And as you say, it gives power in the early game, which is when you want it.

These days I'm targeting my priest city to be my Wall Street city too for corporation HQs. Then the gold gets crazy. (but by corps the game should be in the bag with this early strength)

Edit; just noticed it's Huge size. wow . Looks like a good game. I tried a few turns and popped AH, but I won't give away any secrets.

 

[MrFelony]

I think Obsolete also did a game to show off the strengths of priets and the angkor wat (sp?). the +2 +1 are pretty nice.

 

[eewallace]

I've had several good games on noble that have had primarily religious economies, but not just from running priest specialists (although that is part). Getting multiple religions, holy cities, shrines, multiplying their wealth with markets/banks, etc. Building spiral minaret. (You can also get some pretty hefty science going early on with monasteries and university of sankore.)

I don't usually do this with one of the beginning religions, either, but instead often try to get to confucianism first and then do it. But it could work really well with buddhism or hinduism, I would think.

 

[madscientist]

I've had several good games on noble that have had primarily religious economies, but not just from running priest specialists (although that is part). Getting multiple religions, holy cities, shrines, multiplying their wealth with markets/banks, etc. Building spiral minaret. (You can also get some pretty hefty science going early on with monasteries and university of sankore.)

I don't usually do this with one of the beginning religions, either, but instead often try to get to confucianism first and then do it. But it could work really well with buddhism or hinduism, I would think.

I will agree on this. There is a religion economy where several shrined religions maintain the science slider at or near 100%. Priests are important for getting prophets for shrines and bulbing theology (Christianity). Builind the oracle for GPs and free COL also helps. Also getting Ankot Wat basically turns priests into engineers that add 1 gold. Finally Spiral Minaret and Univerisyt of Sankore ar ethe icing on the cake. The best thing is that it is independent of a SE or CE, both work well with it.

 

[darrelljs]

EMC 2 made heavy use of Priests. I think it is a fun strategy, although the only time I tried it was with Gandhi + Stone .

Darrell

 

[nealhunt]

The Great Profits (Prophets) archive thread might be useful as well:
http://forums.civfanatics.com/archive/index.php/t-144707.html