Privateer beeline strat

[Andvare]

Against the AI they are marvellous, as the AI aparently fears pirates as if they were some silly undead sea monster from a Disney theme park, focusing way to much production on taking them on, massing huge fleets of warships, even if said ships are of far worse quality (like triremes).

They also often starve the AI cities when running blockade, as the blockaded sea area can't be farmed.

 

[KMadCandy]

Against the AI they are marvellous, as the AI aparently fears pirates as if they were some silly undead sea monster from a Disney theme park, focusing way to much production on taking them on, massing huge fleets of warships, even if said ships are of far worse quality (like triremes).

in some cases they focus on mass production of poor quality ships but not to take my privateers on, just to watch and cringe in fear! isabella is making gobs of caravels but she won't attack me unless i'm badly wounded. she really ought to quit making this free exp for me, silly girl. but i'm doing her a favor by killing them, the unit upkeep must be horrendous! at least shaka attacks me with his if he gets in range. good old brave scary shaka.

 

[Andvare]

Indeed, I have had games where I were behind in pretty much everything except tech, and when I started to churn out these by the dozens, I suddenly got a huge surge in everything. Of course, this only works at lower levels, when you can stay ahead of the AI tech wise. Though it might work for better players, I'm certainly no expert.

I've started to use them in groups of four. One medic, set on plunder and acts as a protective zone where the raiders can hide, and three first strikers, raiders, to kill anything that moves on water until frigates comes along.
I've noticed that the AI likes to hit singular ships, and stacks with only damaged ships. Sometimes even stacks of two healthy ships. However, they never seem to target stacks of four, if there is one ship at 100% health.
This all goes out the window when frigates comes along.

Well, my findings, probably covered better by others.

 

[Crighton]

My current game was orriginally supposed to be an excerise with commerce and corporation on an advanced start. With the intent of getting the circumnaivagtion bonus I created two privateers and sent them out.

This is the funny:

Privateer goes out encounters Brennus "greetings . . . . let there be peace among us" same turn find the capital. Ooh it's on the coast, click. Blockade 3 gpt for about 30 turns. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

And now he's my best friend since we share the same religion.