Propaganda useful?

[jackg4]

Search feature was turned off so I couldn't see previous posts.
I've spent sizeable sums of money on propaganda, trying to turn another city, but haven't had any luck. My culture is much higher than opponents. Other cities have revolted to my empire. Are there any tricks to propaganda that I'm missing?
I miss the spies in Civ2. If I had the money, they always did the job.

 

[frunobulax]

Originally posted by jackg4
I've spent sizeable sums of money on propaganda, trying to turn another city, but haven't had any luck. My culture is much higher than opponents. Other cities have revolted to my empire.

I always keep an eye on AI Civs when they're at war to see when they enter a period of Anarch - changing from a Democracy to a Communist state (or sometimes a Monarchy) in order to support armies and reduce the number of protesting citizens. That's when I've had best results with propaganda influencing specific cities, often immediate neighbours, or ones with luxuries or strategic resources I need! it works best on cities below size 6 I've found, and also when you have a pretty unblemished record as regards declaring war unannounced on your neighbours!

Hope this helps.

 

[jackg4]

So effects of propaganda don't build up over time, right? It either works or doesn't, correct?
I assume propaganda doesn't work on Democracy or Communist. Does it only work on Anarchy, Monarchy or Republic?

 

[OU23]

It doesn't work on democracy (you can change that in the game editor) but it does work on all the other governments, just at varrying degrees. A civ is most suceptible to propoganda while in a state of anarchy.

 

[TheEndIsNear]

And if you can, propagandize a city in disorder. They're much more susceptible.

 

[jackg4]

In Civ3 you can't tell when a city is in disorder (anarchy) unless you happen to have a unit near enough (unlikely) or you pay to investigate the city (but what would prompt you to do that?).
I suppose having Right of Passage and posting units near cities would work but I don't like other civs tramping through my territory.
Propaganda seems as useless in Civ3 as Explorers. By the time I get Explorers, I have traded maps and can see everything anyway. I've never had to build an Explorer! Sorry, off topic.

 

[dojoboy]

Originally posted by jackg4
In Civ3 you can't tell when a city is in disorder (anarchy) unless you happen to have a unit near enough (unlikely) or you pay to investigate the city (but what would prompt you to do that?).

Through the F3 screen, you can see what government each civ is currently in. If a civ is in transition from one government to another, then it will show as Anarchy. I believe this is when Fruno uses the propaganda feature.

 

[AlanH]

Originally posted by jackg4
.... as useless in Civ3 as Explorers. By the time I get Explorers, I have traded maps and can see everything anyway. I've never had to build an Explorer! Sorry, off topic.

Explorers are masters of suicidal pillaging. They can move five tiles over any terrain in enemy territory and then pillage, all in one turn. Think Kamikaze bomber, with 100% success rate, for 20 shields. For 320 shields you can have a gang of 16 and completely pillage rails and roads around the enemy capital in one turn. Bargain basement!