Realpolitik CIV - An Interactive AAR

[Aysee]

First of all, MN, while barbs on lower difficulties will typically not attack cities, they will if they're completely undefended, like Cull-Norwich is. Second of all, Arya, as Cull-Norwich is only 1 pop, it will auto-raze upon capture.

Also, MN's combat odds doesn't take into account modifiers. If the warrior is fortifying on a hill across from a river, the warrior might even kill the archer. This is another moment where I wish we were playing on Civ 5, because then we could just ranged attack the stupid barb.

 

[Whosit]

Whosit- No you do not need to register, but i would encourage you to read (however slowly) the other 70 pages here, if you are going to stick around. Otherwise some things might get confusing. And updates are most of the time in the form of screenshots and/or a thing called the realpolitik reporter. Its usually from the point of view of this nosy reporter 'lighthearter' D) and he tells of things like its in a newspaper with interviews and such, but from more of a first person POV than a newspaper.

I'll do my best to review the rest, although I have a moderately good grasp of the current situation, and have gotten a taste of the updates from various parts of the thread. I guess the most recent updates have been more "story" updates than "game" updates? I look forward to participating to the best of my abilities, but I don't think that my plan is to win any friends because I am going to start nitpicking stuff. Who chose the placement of cities in Iberia? I have a beef to pick with that. This is from page 55, and is old news, but:

More settlements in Spain. I've even invested in the place, as it seems to be a real stable idea.

This is the best overview picture I've found (especially with resources highlighted) but I haven't made it much further than the high 50s at the moment.

The top picture is especially concerning, because it looks like that two Fish resources have been put to waste! However, there is room to settle between the Silver and Gold, so that can make use of the resources there. However, the placement of Norwich has made it impossible to use the fish on the west coast. Food is important!

I would have suggested settling Birmingham on the Marble, or perhaps one tile south of that. Settling on the Marble automatically connects it, and you get a 3-hammer city center, plus two very good food resources (second ring, though). Norwich should then be 1 tile to the east so that the Fish could be first ring and so Horses would be in the BFC.

I was planning to run for Military Adviser in the next election, but maybe I should run for Domestic Adviser, or whoever decides where to place, and how to manage, cities.

Of course, since I have surely alienated all of the other players, I should probably kiss any political aspirations good-bye. Honestly, though, my goal is to just give the best advice I can, even if it's harsh and critical. England cannot rise to glory if there's not enough food to grow our glorious population!

Maybe we should let the Barbarians burn down those two cities. Yeah . . . .

I am still a bit confused on one thing, though: Does the President play the turns, or does he write instructions for LH to follow?

I'll try to catch up on the rest of the thread now. Sorry for bringing up ancient history, but I just couldn't help myself.

 

[Aysee]

Nah, you haven't alienated me at least.

The President writes the instructions.

I believe our intention in the placement of the Spanish cities was just to secure Spain, so those were the sites agreed upon.

This game is on Noble, by the way.

 

[W|M]

We'd already discussed the city locations, and one or two fish resources aren't important. Get the archer to go to the barb and kill it, why is there so much discussion over it? It should be pretty obvious. The Prime Minister tells Lighthearter what to do, and Lighthearter plays it.

And I HATE settling on resources, its extremely ugly and takes away tile bonuses for connection.

EDIT: X-Post

 

[Aysee]

Because there's always the off chance that we'll miss the barb and CN will burn...

 

[Whosit]

We'd already discussed the city locations, and one or two fish resources aren't important.

Yes, I realize the locations were already discussed (and settled), but I thought that this might be a good way to display how I operate in Civ. However, I vigorously disagree with you that some of the most powerful food resources in the game are unimportant (Fish, Corn, and Pigs are the big ones).

And I HATE settling on resources, its extremely ugly and takes away tile bonuses for connection.

While I do not consider settling on resources to be the best option in general, sometimes it may be the best strategic option, whether that is to make a stronger city location overall (Birmingham has just enough food to work all those hills, but can't grow beyond that) or if a resource needs to be protected from pillaging (settling on top of Copper/Iron when Barbs are rampant and all your neighbors are aggressive/at war with you). In this particular instance, I think settling on the resource would have been the stronger long-term move (especially since the city tile actually benefits from it), but it isn't something I would generally advocate.

Because there's always the off chance that we'll miss the barb and CN will burn...

 

[MathNerd]

You're misunderstanding my intentions. I think a defense is a good thing, but too much of it wastes turns that could instead be spent on something good for the people more directly. With quick responses, we can save both cities with a 93.7% chance, like I said.
Anyway, while LH is gathering information so he can publish a completely unbiased, great, fun to read newspaper, why don't you tell me your plans? Remember those seven questions I posted back on page 75?

EDIT: Oops. I realized my previous edit wasn't true.

 

[Whosit]

Anyway, while LH is gathering information so he can publish a completely unbiased, great, fun to read newspaper, why don't you tell me your plans? Remember those seven questions I posted back on page 75?

You are probably not talking to me, but I took a look at the questions, just for fun. With my relatively limited knowledge of in-game events:

1) Probably Mathematics into Construction. Catapults (as well as Axemen/Spearmen) are going to be very important for home defense. Yes, defense.

2) N/A

3) I haven't seen a more recent screen shot of unsettled territory, but I believe there is still some territory left in eastern Iberia. However, as things stand, it may be very risky to expand further at the moment without securing our current holdings.

4) New cities should build Granaries first, with almost no exceptions, because Granaries double the rate of growth. More developed cities should be producing military units, considering the currently poor state of defense. Otherwise, I would recommend building more Workers and Settlers as the situation demands. I also advocate an early Barracks in any city that is going to be geared for production over commerce.

5) N/a

6) Again, need to see the cities, but in general: Improve food resources first to accelerate growth. Improve and connect strategic resources. Build any other important tile improvements, and connect our cities by road so that they can be more easily reinforced and defended.

7) Our allies should be those who are least likely to stab us in the back. Or who are not directly adjacent to us. From the sounds of things, someone who could give Rome a hard time would make a good ally, but it's hard to say.

On defense: Archers alone do not a good defense make. They are good for holing up in cities, but not for clearing the enemy out of your land. Granted, this is Noble, but a mix of unit types is generally stronger than only one type.

That's all for now.

 

[arya126]

Actually i shouldnt be posting, as i am still in moscow (in game). I repeat: i will post after the operationS in russia are finished.

Whosit-I like you. Already you are criticzizing the previous administration (we just went through elections) and since they are now our opposition, i like it. Yes the placement was horrible. I was actually going for 4 cities to take complete advantage og the land. But WIM was the one had the most influence, and i think Cull made the final choice.

Also the ministers/advisors ONLY advise. So even if you run for that position (you can run for it if you are independant of all parties. otherwise you have to be chosen by the elected president. You can ask him/her for it though.) that doesnt guarntee anyone listens to you.

 

[MathNerd]

Arya!!!! Explain yourself!!! You were freely posting comments against the opposition just hours ago!!!!!!

Whatever your real reasons are, your excuse isn't working.

 

[W|M]

hmmm...I see a Carthaginian city in Morocco...

 

[MathNerd]

Yes the placement was horrible.

It appears to me that you are just following Whosit. When did you comment about this before he came along, again?

 

[MathNerd]

Also the ministers/advisors ONLY advise. So even if you run for that position (you can run for it if you are independant of all parties. otherwise you have to be chosen by the elected president. You can ask him/her for it though.) that doesnt guarntee anyone listens to you.

Don't try to discourage him!!! I approve of all newcomers to this AAR, even if they chose the wrong side to be on.

 

[arya126]

I approve of all newcomers as well. Im just warning him if he try to suggest ideas when/if the GreenPeace coalition ever gets elected again, they wont be implemented most of the time.

Also, i got sidetracked last night. I was bored, and was already posting due to my magic teleporting powers that can only be used with permission of the monks, so i could give my input on the hostage rescue situation.

Actually i was getting very aggravted about the arguements over city placement and when the cities were posted i decided to just hold back and accept it since we couldnt change it, and use it as ammo later, which is now . As i recall YOU ONLY WANTED ONE CITY TO COVER THE ENTIRE IBERIAN PENINSULA so excuse me when i say you dont have much idea of how to place cities, nor do the rest of your coalition.

 

[resident_uk]

Edit: Incidentally, if I can join this (though my participation will be somewhat sporadic since I do not have unlimited free time), the Imperial Party looks to be in my area of interest.

I happily accept your request to join. you seem like you know what your doing, so im sure we will all look forward to your input.
Speaking of the party, Lighthearter can you change the party description to, Stout militarists, expansion and conquest are of priority. While the government retains a strict atheist outlook and economics and research revolves around whatever helps in expansion.

Sorry i missed so much gimme a few minutes to get up to date.

Whosit our whole situation right now is focused around the russians holding our president hostage, and having an elite part of our military perform a rescue. Thats why there havent been many updates on the actual game.

edit- I say we make friends with either-the vikings or Carthaginians, possibly both. Or atleast have open borders to discourage war with them.

 

[MathNerd]

Actually i was getting very aggravted about the arguements over city placement and when the cities were posted i decided to just hold back and accept it since we couldnt change it, and use it as ammo later, which is now .

Right, and I'm Sid Meyer.

We could change it with this great Realpolitik tool called WB!!!

As i recall YOU ONLY WANTED ONE CITY TO COVER THE ENTIRE IBERIAN PENINSULA so excuse me when i say you dont have much idea of how to place cities, nor do the rest of your coalition.

That was when I was misinformed about the map size until YOU (I think it was you, maybe some other CoF person) corrected me.

 

[arya126]

I would rather not be allied to carthage. If we attack them once we are strong enough, that would give us another route into rome and force them on to a 2 front war should we ever war with them. Temporary is fine, but i dont want a long time ally in africa. Vikings would be someone i would encourage allying.

Crap im not supposed to post policies right now. sorry MN!

 

[arya126]

Well i tried to correct you. You only started listening when Ravus said it.

 

[MathNerd]

edit- I say we make friends with either-the vikings or Carthaginians, possibly both. Or at least have open borders to discourage war with them.

Remember those days when we thought 1 page per day was ridiculously fast and that Russia would be our ally?

I think the Vikings are a great ally. But then again, we might want to be careful saying that...

 

[resident_uk]

we are getting close to 1 page per turn