Rambuchan
The Funky President
Looks like I'll have to get over my Engineer and Scientist fetish then. 
Thanks a lot for the solid and speedy info.

Thanks a lot for the solid and speedy info.
There's some few cases in which citizens are valuable though... for instance, when you're in Mercentalism (and ideally Representation) and have the Sistine Chapel, the citizens can be very valuable specialists, especially in newer cities which don't yet have any buildings to allow other types of specialists.a4phantom said:Since a citizen specialist only gives you a hammer, that's a very bad deal since almost any tile should give you more, but other specialists, especially engineers, can be valuable and they are essential to the rapid production of Great People.
Lord Parkin said:Indeed. Engineers and Scientists are great, but if you have a really widespread religion then it's worth the commercial benefit of a Great Prophet sometimes. Be careful not to get too obsessed with "Shrine-building" though... religions which are not very popular around the world (only a few cities) are generally not worth wasting a Great Prophet on.![]()
Lord Parkin said:There's some few cases in which citizens are valuable though... for instance, when you're in Mercentalism (and ideally Representation) and have the Sistine Chapel, the citizens can be very valuable specialists, especially in newer cities which don't yet have any buildings to allow other types of specialists.
But yes, generally citizens are pretty awful.![]()
Very much depends on difficulty level, and a few other factors. Probably worth having a look at the GOTM results page If you can find one of a silmilar level to what you are playing it shoudl give you a good idea.azzaman333 said:What is a good year for a culture win?
I might be suffering newbie shrine syndrome tooa4phantom said:I agree completely. As a recovering victim of the newby obsession with founding holy cities and shrines, I know once you have a HC it seems crucial to get a shrine up ASAP, but unless Islam comes along so late in the game that it's unlikely to spread naturally (without missionaries to cities with no prior religion). If Rambuchan is already doing well with his religion, he's got little to gain by converting to Islam, therefore little to gain by spreading it, therefore little to gain by building the Muslim shrine. Consider the Muslim holy city to just be getting a nice culture bonus as is and enjoy those Scientists and Engineers.
Rambuchan said:I might be suffering newbie shrine syndrome too![]()
But, it seems a good illness to suffer from. Here's my thinking on founding and spreading religions, please let me know if it's misguided.
Controlling shrines of major religions is good income for starters. Eg. Islam is now of 23% global influence and my state religion in this game. There must be a good 30-40 cities with Islamic Temples in them around the world (not being harvested by the absent Islamic shrine). I can't get 30-40 gpt out of an AI trade... I've also conquered the Buddhist Shrine and am spreading that fast. That one building alone has gone from 13gpt when I captured it and is up to 20gpt, at only 9% influence. It pays. And will pay much more.
Also, founding and spreading multiple religions is a crucial cultural boost as well as a scientific boost early (multiple monasteries stack research up nicely).
Or am I being a noob here too?
a4phantom said:If you play at Noble I bet you have an understanding of the game that'll suit you better for this than any list. Although I don't know why you'd want Academy in a specifically 'military city', unless you mean West Point; there you should have barracks, forge, Heroic Epic and if you can West Point (one city with Heroic Epic and West point, plus of course barracks and forge, will create super units super quick, remember that each city can only hold two National Wonders so if you plan on building West Point you might want to build Heroic Epic in a city that won't get another Nat' Wonder). Although all productive cities should get a barracks and forge anyway. Great Scientists should build Academies in your science producing cities starting at the best and working down.
Leatherneck said:I've been playing since Civ 1 on and off but perhaps it's the MOD I'm playing "CivMore" that has Great Generals" that can build Military Academies other than West Point I'm still a bit new to Civ 4 and it is a little different game than the ones before. Still the same but different.
As to where I asked the question wasn't sure where to post it as it's not a noobe question but it's not a topic all it's own either.
Thanks
Lord Parkin said:"My thoughts", "my opinions", "my interpretation of things"... etc.![]()
s.c.dude said:not really related to anything but what does "my 2 cents mean"![]()
a4phantom said:Can I ask how old you are? I don't mean that as an insult at all, I'm just intrigued by how the language changes.
azzaman333 said:Just click on his profile (12)
Leatherneck said:12!! I have underware older than that and childern too. LOL Then again when I was 12 I didn't know what "LOL" meant ... but nor did anybody else.![]()
Roland Johansen said:I don't think it is strange to play games like civilization when you're 12. I played some games similar to civilization when I was 12.