A lot of cool leaders and civilizations were added to Warlords, and for some reason I want to share my thoughts on who is good and who's not. Obviously there is going to be some difference of opinion, so feel free to share your own views.
Ragnar of the Vikings
Ragnar is an awesome addition to the Civilization IV experience. Although dependent on water and coastal cities for maximum utility, used properly he is a powerhouse. If given the Great Lighthouse and Colossus wonders, which are fairly easy to get, he will easily be able to dominate the coasts and the oceans. Make sure he gets the circumnavigation bonus, and the Viking fleet of ships housing those Berserkers will be devastating. The Aggressive trait will nicely upgrade those Berserkers and allow fast barracks and drydocks, while the Financial trait will turn the already profitable coastal cities into cash farms.
Grade: A
Hannibal of Carthage
Hannibal is very similar to Ragnar in that he is dependant on coastal cities, but also a force to be reckoned with. He should also go for the strategy of the Great Lighthouse and Colossus, and seek to build a good navy. What's different about Hannibal is that he has even more potential for having a huge economy, rivaled only by Elizabeth and Mansa Musa. The extra trade routes from the Cothon will have a compound effect on these profitable coastal cities, along with the Financial trait of course. He also has a complimentary trait in Charismatic, which allows his cities to be bigger, which brings in more commerce, and the -25% XP needed certainly helps his military. The only disappointing thing about Hannibal is that he has the average Numidian Cavalry as a unique unit, instead of an upgraded War Elephant. What were you thinking, Firaxis? That's the first thing one thinks of with Hannibal.. THE ELEPHANTS!
Grade: A
Brennus of the Celts
Nothing against fans of the Celts, but Brennus is arguably the worst leader in the entire game. Their unique unit and unique building are so terrible, that if you don't build them at all during your game it probably wouldn't even make a difference. The only strategy I can really see with the Celts is to artificially give yourself an advantage by playing on a Highlands map. Thus we're forced to look at his traits alone in order to determine if there's any value to Brennus. Spirtual and Charismatic are decent traits, but combined together there isn't much synergy, except maybe being able to keep your people happy relatively easy. The only saving grace of Brennus is his good starting techs.. Mysticism for access to an early religion, and Hunting for the initial scout.
Grade: D
Wang Kon of Korea
Wang Kon is a good leader for those protecting their empire while teching for a space race. His Protective and Financial combination is self explanatory for this, and his unique building helps increase research too. The Hwacha unique unit is interesting, and can be used for both defense and offensive situations. He certainly isn't a powerhouse, but his design gives him a good edge against most civilizations in the space race.
Grade: B-
Mehmed II of the Ottomans
Mehmed is great for creating a large empire. Expansive and Organized allows for fast granaries, harbors, courthouses, and lighthouses, helping you grow your populations and keep your upkeep down and economy up. Slavery is very powerful under Mehmed, as your new cities should be equipped with fast granaries, allowing the whipping of courthouses. The Janissary is much more viable than the inept Musketeer, and the Hammam unique building allows for yet a larger population and larger empire. An excellent civilization in general, especially as the difficulty levels go up.
Grade: A
Shaka of the Zulu
Shaka is all about military domination. It all starts with the Ikhanda unique building, which is quickly built because of the Aggressive trait, and the maintenance reduction will greatly help keep your economy going while capturing cities during war. The Impi is a good pillaging unit, but obsolete quick for city taking when Axemen start showing up. They can be upgraded along the gunpowder tree in the future though, which makes for interesting Riflemen equipped with mobility. Shaka will tend to stall in the late game if you haven't taken advantage of a fast military start though.
Grade: B
Ramesses II of Egypt
The addition of Ramesses renders Hatshepsut obsolete in my opinion. Both have Spiritual, but the Industrious trait being one of the best far outweighs Creative, which is arguably the worst trait of all. Ironically, even for a cultural victory Ramesses is better, as building wonders will be more important to your success than a measly bonus to culture in each city. Players of Ramesses can adopt two strategies, one of a military nature, or a builder strategy in capturing wonders and religions. The unique unit of Egypt helps with the former, while the Obelisk building helps in the latter. Although he starts with The Wheel and not Mysticism, I believe the builder strategy is more effective with Ramesses.
Grade: B
Winston Churchill of England
No two traits better describe Churchill than Charismatic and Protective. However, in practice this makes for a leader playing not to lose rather than playing to win in Civilization IV. Had Redcoats not been nerfed, Churchill would be very scary indeed. He still better utilizes this unique unit than Elizabeth or Victoria, but unfortunately for him that's his only advantage over the other English leaders. Elizabeth is still the best choice here. But Churchill makes for a great ally and buffer between yourself and a powerful civilization.
Grade: C
Augustus Caesar of Rome
Augustus is one of my favourite people in history, so obviously him being burdoned with the awful Creative trait depresses me. However, it still allows for some synergy with Organized, allowing for a large empire carved out by your Praetorians to grow. His granduncle Julius is undoubtedly the better leader though, as Imperialistic better suits Rome's style of Praetorian conquest. Augustus is better suited for a cultural victory, given his Creative trait and faster great artists with the Forum. But if you're playing Rome for a cultural victory, you have your priorities wrong!
Grade: B-
Joseph Stalin of Russia
Uncle Joe is a puzzling leader to say the least! Nothing about him seems to match at all. His Aggressive trait doesn't help the Cossack, his Industrious trait is good, but not enough to warrant turning him into a builder, and the Research Institute doesn't compliment either of these strategies! Warmongering, wonder building, or scientific research, take your pick. Stalin truly is a jack of all trades and master of none. That can make for some good diversity in playing as him, but lack of specialization hurts him in the long run.
Grade: B
Ragnar of the Vikings
Ragnar is an awesome addition to the Civilization IV experience. Although dependent on water and coastal cities for maximum utility, used properly he is a powerhouse. If given the Great Lighthouse and Colossus wonders, which are fairly easy to get, he will easily be able to dominate the coasts and the oceans. Make sure he gets the circumnavigation bonus, and the Viking fleet of ships housing those Berserkers will be devastating. The Aggressive trait will nicely upgrade those Berserkers and allow fast barracks and drydocks, while the Financial trait will turn the already profitable coastal cities into cash farms.
Grade: A
Hannibal of Carthage
Hannibal is very similar to Ragnar in that he is dependant on coastal cities, but also a force to be reckoned with. He should also go for the strategy of the Great Lighthouse and Colossus, and seek to build a good navy. What's different about Hannibal is that he has even more potential for having a huge economy, rivaled only by Elizabeth and Mansa Musa. The extra trade routes from the Cothon will have a compound effect on these profitable coastal cities, along with the Financial trait of course. He also has a complimentary trait in Charismatic, which allows his cities to be bigger, which brings in more commerce, and the -25% XP needed certainly helps his military. The only disappointing thing about Hannibal is that he has the average Numidian Cavalry as a unique unit, instead of an upgraded War Elephant. What were you thinking, Firaxis? That's the first thing one thinks of with Hannibal.. THE ELEPHANTS!
Grade: A
Brennus of the Celts
Nothing against fans of the Celts, but Brennus is arguably the worst leader in the entire game. Their unique unit and unique building are so terrible, that if you don't build them at all during your game it probably wouldn't even make a difference. The only strategy I can really see with the Celts is to artificially give yourself an advantage by playing on a Highlands map. Thus we're forced to look at his traits alone in order to determine if there's any value to Brennus. Spirtual and Charismatic are decent traits, but combined together there isn't much synergy, except maybe being able to keep your people happy relatively easy. The only saving grace of Brennus is his good starting techs.. Mysticism for access to an early religion, and Hunting for the initial scout.
Grade: D
Wang Kon of Korea
Wang Kon is a good leader for those protecting their empire while teching for a space race. His Protective and Financial combination is self explanatory for this, and his unique building helps increase research too. The Hwacha unique unit is interesting, and can be used for both defense and offensive situations. He certainly isn't a powerhouse, but his design gives him a good edge against most civilizations in the space race.
Grade: B-
Mehmed II of the Ottomans
Mehmed is great for creating a large empire. Expansive and Organized allows for fast granaries, harbors, courthouses, and lighthouses, helping you grow your populations and keep your upkeep down and economy up. Slavery is very powerful under Mehmed, as your new cities should be equipped with fast granaries, allowing the whipping of courthouses. The Janissary is much more viable than the inept Musketeer, and the Hammam unique building allows for yet a larger population and larger empire. An excellent civilization in general, especially as the difficulty levels go up.
Grade: A
Shaka of the Zulu
Shaka is all about military domination. It all starts with the Ikhanda unique building, which is quickly built because of the Aggressive trait, and the maintenance reduction will greatly help keep your economy going while capturing cities during war. The Impi is a good pillaging unit, but obsolete quick for city taking when Axemen start showing up. They can be upgraded along the gunpowder tree in the future though, which makes for interesting Riflemen equipped with mobility. Shaka will tend to stall in the late game if you haven't taken advantage of a fast military start though.
Grade: B
Ramesses II of Egypt
The addition of Ramesses renders Hatshepsut obsolete in my opinion. Both have Spiritual, but the Industrious trait being one of the best far outweighs Creative, which is arguably the worst trait of all. Ironically, even for a cultural victory Ramesses is better, as building wonders will be more important to your success than a measly bonus to culture in each city. Players of Ramesses can adopt two strategies, one of a military nature, or a builder strategy in capturing wonders and religions. The unique unit of Egypt helps with the former, while the Obelisk building helps in the latter. Although he starts with The Wheel and not Mysticism, I believe the builder strategy is more effective with Ramesses.
Grade: B
Winston Churchill of England
No two traits better describe Churchill than Charismatic and Protective. However, in practice this makes for a leader playing not to lose rather than playing to win in Civilization IV. Had Redcoats not been nerfed, Churchill would be very scary indeed. He still better utilizes this unique unit than Elizabeth or Victoria, but unfortunately for him that's his only advantage over the other English leaders. Elizabeth is still the best choice here. But Churchill makes for a great ally and buffer between yourself and a powerful civilization.
Grade: C
Augustus Caesar of Rome
Augustus is one of my favourite people in history, so obviously him being burdoned with the awful Creative trait depresses me. However, it still allows for some synergy with Organized, allowing for a large empire carved out by your Praetorians to grow. His granduncle Julius is undoubtedly the better leader though, as Imperialistic better suits Rome's style of Praetorian conquest. Augustus is better suited for a cultural victory, given his Creative trait and faster great artists with the Forum. But if you're playing Rome for a cultural victory, you have your priorities wrong!
Grade: B-
Joseph Stalin of Russia
Uncle Joe is a puzzling leader to say the least! Nothing about him seems to match at all. His Aggressive trait doesn't help the Cossack, his Industrious trait is good, but not enough to warrant turning him into a builder, and the Research Institute doesn't compliment either of these strategies! Warmongering, wonder building, or scientific research, take your pick. Stalin truly is a jack of all trades and master of none. That can make for some good diversity in playing as him, but lack of specialization hurts him in the long run.
Grade: B