Quick Answers / 'Newbie' Questions

[AcaMetis]

The ploy is gifting a high difficulty vassal AI lots and lots of units that are dirt cheap for you to produce, and for the AI (because of handicap bonuses) to upgrade and maintain as a standing army. Then you just point your vassal towards a target, wait for that target to cap, and repeat until conquest victory.

Obviously not the most optimal strategy, but I've seen at least one completely hopeless map beaten with it.

 

[Long try]

Woah, it's like you bulbed an entire route into my mind. Civ4 is way bigger & deeper than I imagined.
But... if that OP strat isn't optimal, then what can even be better? My imagination along the line is that, conquest this way is already the fastest victory.

 

[AcaMetis]

A better strategy is simply being able to roll over the map yourself. AIs aren't the most reliable at conquering cities, especially overseas, and players can micromanage more than just an army far better than any AI ever could.

 

[pokeii]

If I have more prerequisites for a tech (eg. both agriculture and hunting for AH), do AIs charge me less when I buy from them?
Is there an article on how AIs value tech trades? I think I've seen one but can't find it

 

[Plains-Cow]

If I have more prerequisites for a tech (eg. both agriculture and hunting for AH), do AIs charge me less when I buy from them?
Is there an article on how AIs value tech trades? I think I've seen one but can't find it

AI change how they value techs based on how old they are (how far everyone is down the tech tree) because of how many beakers you've researched into them already. You can see this because the AI will give you a better trade/cost on techs you've already put beakers into researching yourself. They are also loathe to trade military techs that aren't out-of-date. I found one of the best ways to tech broker with the AI is to go down the Music route (top of tech tree) and trade it for everything I'd need that I'm still missing. This is on Immortal.

 

[Major Tom]

If I have more prerequisites for a tech (eg. both agriculture and hunting for AH), do AIs charge me less when I buy from them?
Is there an article on how AIs value tech trades? I think I've seen one but can't find it

This thread may interest you: (Calculating cash in tech deals)

This is probably a noob question but have always iterated.

Say you have aesthetic (507) and (117/507) in alpha, How much cash is AI willing to pay extra for aesthetic when trading? Looking for the formula where aes=alpha(117/507)+cash.

 

[Plains-Cow]

This thread may interest you: (Calculating cash in tech deals)

This is a great mathematical reply. How often do you find yourself actually calculating these numbers when looking to make a trade?

 

[pokeii]

I've seen Lain giving AI resources for free when he could have had something in return for a few times. How does this help him? Does this contribute to fair trade?
Also when you supply an AI with resources and then stop/renegotiate, do you lose the bonus?

 

[Fippy]

AIs value resources like gpt (gold per turn).
Fair trade bonuses increase very fast after meeting them (takes just ~20g for +4 on turn 1),
but then requires more and more with each turn passing to keep them.

So giving them something for free certainly helps, even if it's not visible as diplo + right away.
Negotiating a new deal doesn't interrupt that process.
Keeping one resource trade (or gift) up secures you "we appreciate the years of supply" (+1 after 50 turns and +2 after 100),
while cancelling all trades makes the diplo + fade with time.

 

[Qactus]

AIs value resources like gpt (gold per turn).
Fair trade bonuses increase very fast after meeting them (takes just ~20g for +4 on turn 1),
but then requires more and more with each turn passing to keep them.

So giving them something for free certainly helps, even if it's not visible as diplo + right away.
Negotiating a new deal doesn't interrupt that process.
Keeping one resource trade (or gift) up secures you "we appreciate the years of supply" (+1 after 50 turns and +2 after 100),
while cancelling all trades makes the diplo + fade with time.

I'm often a bit torn between gifting surplus resources straight away and keeping them to be able to pay tribute. The latter I feel is the more valuable Diplo bonus (because fair trade can be added after Alpha and of course also builds up from the tribute deal), but of course it all depends on them asking you.
So assuming the case you start with a bunch of clams next to Genghis Khan (who in my experience often demands tribute), is it wise to not gift the clam straight away?

 

[Fippy]

Yup i usually keep one double for tribute.

 

[pokeii]

If I convert to an AI's religion, will he stop making missionaries for me? What about AIs with different state religions?

 

[Plains-Cow]

If I convert to an AI's religion, will he stop making missionaries for me? What about AIs with different state religions?

No. I'm watching a Sullla game right now where he converts to Buddhism (founded by Shaka), and Shaka keeps sending missionaries to spread Buddhism to him in cities that don't have it yet. Other AIs will do the same with other state religions.

 

[pokeii]

Thank you. I only realize now I should watch some of those to get more intuitive understanding of AI behavior, if I'm going to play against them for a long time.

 

[Plains-Cow]

Thank you. I only realize now I should watch some of those to get more intuitive understanding of AI behavior, if I'm going to play against them for a long time.

Certainly. Watching others play and adopting their strategies (players, not AI...never adopt AI strategies) is how I got good on Immortal. This map is boreal (trees everywhere) in a tundra-like world. It's a great example of how to make the most of your limited resources. Full disclosure, he's playing against Emperor AI for an easier game (he says so in episode 1). Remember that AI can also roll more aggressive or passive behavior, regardless if they're a warmonger or not.

 

[pokeii]

Sorry I didn't read carefully and thought it was one of his AI only games

 

[Ciciliati]

Hey guys, newbie here (used to play the spinoffs a lot, but never played any of the Sid Meier's series)

I just got the BtS and saw that a lot of people recommend playing it with the BUFFY mod - thing is I can't login into the Hall of Fame website to download it (I keep asking for a temp password but never got anything)

Some pointers would be greatly appreciated

 

[sampsa]

Hey guys, newbie here (used to play the spinoffs a lot, but never played any of the Sid Meier's series)

I just got the BtS and saw that a lot of people recommend playing it with the BUFFY mod - thing is I can't login into the Hall of Fame website to download it (I keep asking for a temp password but never got anything)

Some pointers would be greatly appreciated

https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/buffy-3-19-005-civ-iv-hof-mod-latest-version.698675/ download from top right, should work.

 

[Ciciliati]

https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/buffy-3-19-005-civ-iv-hof-mod-latest-version.698675/ download from top right, should work.

I'm glad someone was able to help this poor blind guy this fast (been to that thread more than once today)
Cheers mate

 

[pokeii]

I remember reading that pleased starts at +3, and similarly annoyed starts at -3. In the game I'm playing I just met Mansa and got +2 Your small civ is no threat to us. This is with BUFFY so I assume I see everything here. Why am is he already pleased?

Edit: I have another related question: if iPeaceWeightRand is random and hidden in the unmodded game, I think seeing A First Impression Is A Lasting One among the AIs reveals information not available in the unmodded game?

Edit: I lost the game and didn't keep the start. But here is a BUFFY save at 2960BC where the only entry is that +2 and Mansa is pleased.