Quick Answers / 'Newbie' Questions

[van halen]

Hello there. First post ever.

A few questions.

Is there any way of dropping a vassal?
I sometimes get ticked off at my vassal for not trading me a tech, would love to drop his butt. Or I will have a vassal or two or three that all other civs hate, keeping them from being pleased or friendly with me.

Is there any way of NOT giving away ALL of my cities on another continent when asked if I would like to grant that city independence or whatever it asks when I have cities on another continent... In the game I am in now I have 11 cities on a new gigantic continent. 5 of those 11 are brand spanking new (1 population), however I have a few that are above (10) and I have built wonders in them and shipped specialists to improve their culture to create a solid border from the southern countries coming to build there.

I wouldn't mind giving independence to some of the cities. Is it possible to do so?

To add to that, can I just grant independence without being asked to do so... Say I want to create a solid foundation for a new country... Can I do so and then select those 5 new cities Independence?

also, why do leaders that are annoyed at me continue to ask me to go to war with some country only to get furious at me for declining them?
and to add to that, why is it from a leader that I do NOT even have open boarders with and that the two warring parties are on the other side of the planet and it would take 20 turns just to get a boat over there, let alone build an army to get over there?..... seriously, It would take about 40 or 50 turns for me to get there with an army and navy ready for war, yet they ask me anyways... I find this completely stupid.

and to add to that even more....LOL... sorry about this... If I do happen to join someone's cause for war, they almost always will make peace with that nation they asked me to go to war against in 10 or less turns.

Why does AI build 15 caravels instead of building courthouse, library, bank, grocer, etc, etc, etc....... I once saw a landlocked city with 10 caravels.

How big can a lake be without becoming an ocean or sea? You know keep the 2 bread bonus instead of becoming a 1...

I like barbarians and the trouble they can sometimes cause. Why is it that when I create a barbarian settler, worker and 5 axe men for the barbarians, THEY DO NOT CREATE A CITY?
OR if I create 15 axe men to go do some damage or create havoc, they go and protect a village?

also, why do the barbarians only come after me? At least it seems that way.

Is there any way of changing the AI for barbarians?

Is there any way to play the game with WONDER bonuses turned OFF?
I think the wonders kind of ruins the game. Of late, I try to not go for some of them to make things interesting, however then that means only one or two other countries become the dominant guys on the block. I think if wonders was turned off it might be a more balanced game. I would at least like to try and see.

Is there any way of creating a map and then having the game randomly place starting points. I just recently got into the world builder swing and like it, still learning the ropes?

LOL, back to barbarian AI.... I built them a city to start a civilization just like all the rest, once I finally got to that city in 1600 something, it was a pop of 10 yet with ZERO buildings.. at least I think there were zero. My spy points allow me to see all other civs buildings. Maybe barabrians is different, yet why would it be? ........ why don't barbarians build things to help them?

Gotta run, hope a few of you out there can help me out.

Have a wonderful day.

 

[Seraiel]

Hello there. First post ever.

A few questions.

Is there any way of dropping a vassal?
I sometimes get ticked off at my vassal for not trading me a tech, would love to drop his butt. Or I will have a vassal or two or three that all other civs hate, keeping them from being pleased or friendly with me.

You can only demand all resources from your vassal. First time he has to agree, next time, if you're lucky, he will refuse and you go to war with him for that.

Is there any way of NOT giving away ALL of my cities on another continent when asked if I would like to grant that city independence or whatever it asks when I have cities on another continent... In the game I am in now I have 11 cities on a new gigantic continent. 5 of those 11 are brand spanking new (1 population), however I have a few that are above (10) and I have built wonders in them and shipped specialists to improve their culture to create a solid border from the southern countries coming to build there.

I wouldn't mind giving independence to some of the cities. Is it possible to do so?

I don't think that is possible, but not sure.

To add to that, can I just grant independence without being asked to do so... Say I want to create a solid foundation for a new country... Can I do so and then select those 5 new cities Independence?

Don't think that's possible too. You should be happy that you're asked whether you want to do so, what if cities were granted indipendence without you being asked?

also, why do leaders that are annoyed at me continue to ask me to go to war with some country only to get furious at me for declining them?
and to add to that, why is it from a leader that I do NOT even have open boarders with and that the two warring parties are on the other side of the planet and it would take 20 turns just to get a boat over there, let alone build an army to get over there?..... seriously, It would take about 40 or 50 turns for me to get there with an army and navy ready for war, yet they ask me anyways... I find this completely stupid.

AI diplomacy is stupid an a pain in the ass often. I also raged as hard as you when I was new to CIV, now that I'm here longer, I don't care anymore.

and to add to that even more....LOL... sorry about this... If I do happen to join someone's cause for war, they almost always will make peace with that nation they asked me to go to war against in 10 or less turns.

When you join the war, AIs often leave the war, that's a common code error. Before you enter, they probably cannot leave the war, but when you enter, yours and their power gets summed, allowing them to leave because the other AI "fears" .

Why does AI build 15 caravels instead of building courthouse, library, bank, grocer, etc, etc, etc....... I once saw a landlocked city with 10 caravels.

AIs build Libraries and stuff, but on Conquest, all Culture-giving-buildings are destroyed. All other buildings have a 2/3 chance to remain.

How big can a lake be without becoming an ocean or sea? You know keep the 2 bread bonus instead of becoming a 1...

9 tiles.

I like barbarians and the trouble they can sometimes cause. Why is it that when I create a barbarian settler, worker and 5 axe men for the barbarians, THEY DO NOT CREATE A CITY?
OR if I create 15 axe men to go do some damage or create havoc, they go and protect a village?

Barbarians function differently to the normal CIVs. They cannot found cities, but spawn in un-fogged areas. Why those Axes go protect a city with that number, I also don't know, probably bad code again.

also, why do the barbarians only come after me? At least it seems that way.

That only seems that way.

Is there any way of changing the AI for barbarians?

No.

Is there any way to play the game with WONDER bonuses turned OFF?
I think the wonders kind of ruins the game. Of late, I try to not go for some of them to make things interesting, however then that means only one or two other countries become the dominant guys on the block. I think if wonders was turned off it might be a more balanced game. I would at least like to try and see.

Not possible. Imo, Wonders also make the game more interesting, because imbalances are interesting.

LOL, back to barbarian AI.... I built them a city to start a civilization just like all the rest, once I finally got to that city in 1600 something, it was a pop of 10 yet with ZERO buildings.. at least I think there were zero. My spy points allow me to see all other civs buildings. Maybe barabrians is different, yet why would it be? ........ why don't barbarians build things to help them?

Because they're uncivilized barbarians that don't know buildings :> .

 

[van halen]

Oh just one more for ya I guess.

Why do vassals that I am destroying refuse to talk to me..... ex... Greece is at war we me, they have a vassal China.... I am destroying China city by city every turn... Yet China will refuse to talk, when all I want to do is make them my vassal.... OR I will start to destrooy Greece and leave their vassal China alone for the time being... In hopes of getting both Greece and China as vassals... But Greece allows me to destroy them until they have like 5 cities left from the start of 12, at this point they STILL will not capitulate.... instead they become a vassal of their vassal... Now I just destroy them all together in the next two turns and their Greek civilization will never exist again.....

Why would civilizations that are basically at the brink of not existing NOT want to discuss their fate with me?

I love it when they are down to their last archer and I have 5 tanks and 5 paratroopers ready to attack and I try and see if they want to discuss things, and they refuse. Then I just sit there a few turns to see if they will talk, nope they refuse..... and by the way, while this is going on they are building a caravel.

 

[van halen]

Seraiel, Thanks for the answers.

Enjoy your day.

 

[elitetroops]

if I create 15 axe men to go do some damage or create havoc, they go and protect a village?

In Edit Unit mode in the world builder you can change the AI script assigned to units. When added in worldbuilder, units have some default script. Barb archers at least come with UnitAI_City_Defence. Change it to Attack or City_Attack, then they should create some havoc.

Why do vassals that I am destroying refuse to talk to me.....

Vassals cannot make their own decisions regarding war or peace. They must go to war when their master does and their war ends when the master negotiates a peace deal (or they break free from the master). When at war, you can't talk to them because they cannot make any deals with you.

 

[fox456]

First, thanks to everyone in the community who helps to keep this thread going.

I believe there is a way to make a list in the bulid queue and copy that to other cities. I spend SO much time cycling through the various items to build. It is tedious. But, I do appreciate that there are many items to choose from.

Could someone specify the steps you take to get a building or a few buildings, for example, that you want every city to build?

 

[Seraiel]

Ctrl + Number for saving the list
Shift + Number for recalling the list
Ctrl + select cities to select all cities on one continent
Alt + select cities to select all cities you own

 

[TheMulattoMaker]

Van halen, there is a way to get barbarian cities where you want them in Worldbuilder. In "Player Mode" or whatever it is, scroll to the bottom and pick Barbarian. Click on "Buildings", the top-left icon should be "build new city".

 

[fox456]

Ctrl + Number for saving the list
Shift + Number for recalling the list
Ctrl + select cities to select all cities on one continent
Alt + select cities to select all cities you own

Thanks, Seraiel. I'll give this a try.

 

[Lennier]

Hello there. First post ever.

Welcome to the forums.

A few questions.

...

To add to that, can I just grant independence without being asked to do so... Say I want to create a solid foundation for a new country... Can I do so and then select those 5 new cities Independence?

I think Seraiel misread your question. You can grant independence to cities on another land mass (if at least three of your cities are on that land mass) without the pop-up. As I recall, the button is in the city advisor screen. Select a city on the other continent, and the "make colony" (or some such) button appears.

also, why do leaders that are annoyed at me continue to ask me to go to war with some country only to get furious at me for declining them?

Every time you refuse a demand, your relations go down. That's the way the diplomatic system works.

and to add to that, why is it from a leader that I do NOT even have open boarders with and that the two warring parties are on the other side of the planet and it would take 20 turns just to get a boat over there, let alone build an army to get over there?..... seriously, It would take about 40 or 50 turns for me to get there with an army and navy ready for war, yet they ask me anyways... I find this completely stupid.

Yes, stupid. If you want to be friends with the asking party, accept and don't bother sending anyone to the war. If you want to be friends with the other party (or just don't care), decline.

Why does AI build 15 caravels instead of building courthouse, library, bank, grocer, etc, etc, etc....... I once saw a landlocked city with 10 caravels.

Badly programmed AI. Although CW says most buildings aren't worth the they cost, the landlocked city should be producing land units or wealth.

Is there any way of changing the AI for barbarians?

How are your programming skills? Go over to the creation and customization forums to get some tips.

Is there any way to play the game with WONDER bonuses turned OFF?
I think the wonders kind of ruins the game. Of late, I try to not go for some of them to make things interesting, however then that means only one or two other countries become the dominant guys on the block. I think if wonders was turned off it might be a more balanced game. I would at least like to try and see.

You could delete the wonder lines in the appropriate file. I recommend copying the original files before mucking about with them. Go over to the creation and customization forums to get some tips.

LOL, back to barbarian AI.... I built them a city to start a civilization just like all the rest, once I finally got to that city in 1600 something, it was a pop of 10 yet with ZERO buildings.. at least I think there were zero. My spy points allow me to see all other civs buildings. Maybe barabrians is different, yet why would it be? ........ why don't barbarians build things to help them?

Barbarians are different--they're barbarians! They have a limited set of buildings and units that they can make.

 

[AdamCrock]

Is there a way to deselect a unit without giving him an order (for example: deselecting a selected unit in a city without ordering him to fortify again or selecting another unit - btw. I've also noticed that when You do so he does not loose his fortify bonus unless You move him ) and also is there a way do deselect a city in a domestic advisor screen (F1) ?

 

[civfanchambers]

Is there a way to deselect a unit without giving him an order (for example: deselecting a selected unit in a city without ordering him to fortify again or selecting another unit - btw. I've also noticed that when You do so he does not loose his fortify bonus unless You move him ) and also is there a way do deselect a city in a domestic advisor screen (F1) ?

As for the unit you could press the "w" to order the unit to wait. Should just let you skip over the unit without activating it for issuing orders. As for the question about the city, I don't know.

 

[Pangaea]

You can use shift+click on the unit in a stack to de-select it. But due to Civ4's quarky way to deal with selections, it doesn't always work, and suddenly a pile of units are selected instead.

 

[reddishrecue]

You could also use f hotkey which will make your unit go to sleep, sentry or fortify.

 

[Seraiel]

You could also use f hotkey which will make your unit go to sleep, sentry or fortify.

Is there a way to deselect a unit without giving him an order (for example: deselecting a selected unit in a city without ordering him to fortify again or selecting another unit - btw. I've also noticed that when You do so he does not loose his fortify bonus unless You move him ) and also is there a way do deselect a city in a domestic advisor screen (F1) ?

Important part in bold.

 

[reddishrecue]

Important part in bold.

That's right, sorry. Can't you just force the turn to end by pressing the green or red button? That way you won't have to click on another unit nor tell the unit what to do since the unit will already be sentry and fortify by default.

 

[s.bernbaum]

I'm not sure precisely what you want to do. The two things that sound to me like what you are asking are:

1. remove a unit from a selected group of units, so the rest remain selected but the unit in question is deselected
Answer: shift click the unit (this causes it to be the only one selected), then click the icon to separate grouped units (this will separate only the selected unit from the group), finally click any of the other units in the group to select the group again.

2. Have a unit do nothing that turn: Answer - press the space bar or click the skip icon

If you are asking something else, please add some detail to clarify your question.

 

[Eagle777]

Hey guys, I got a question that I didn't manage to google/find here an answer for.

For some reason, assigning a number to a group of units does not seem to work for me.
I select them, press Ctrl+1; and in the future turn or after a reload pressing 1 will, if anything, just select the first unit from the group. Any ideas on what's wrong?

I'm using BtS, with the latest BAT.

My second question is domestic advisor (F1 key) and the production screen. Again, BtS + BAT.
Is it possible to permanently reassign the order of columns? I'd like the "producing.." column to appear earlier, permanently, as it is too much to the right the way the default is set up.

 

[Seraiel]

I think it's also Shift + number to recall groups. I also think Shift + 4 doesn't work.

 

[Pangaea]

My second question is domestic advisor (F1 key) and the production screen. Again, BtS + BAT.
Is it possible to permanently reassign the order of columns? I'd like the "producing.." column to appear earlier, permanently, as it is too much to the right the way the default is set up.

Unsure if you have tried this already, but there is an edit button in those screens. There you can change the width of columns or re-arrange them, or even make entirely new screens. I'm not sure if they are saved across games, but think they should be within the save.