Settling Islands Quickly

[Takteek]

On a map like Archipelago, what's the fastest way to get settlers to other islands early in the game?

 

[TeraHammer]

Needed workers techs, then sailing i think.

 

[Takteek]

Except sailing only lets me build a galley, and they can't cross ocean.

 

[TeraHammer]

In archipelago's islands are usually connected, arent they?

 

[Takteek]

Sorry let me rephrase my question: What is the fastest way to get settlers to other islands separated by oceans in early game?

 

[JujuLautre]

heee, tech astronomy early?

or you can also play as the portuguese (who have the carrack)

 

[Gooblah]

It all depends on the Civilization, terrain, and your technology level.

Ships, regardless of their ocean-traversing ability, can cross ocean as long as it is within their Civ's cultural borders. Thus, if there's an island separated from your city by one tile of ocean, you could access it as long as your culture enveloped the ocean tile.

The Portuguese Empire's Unique Unit (UU) is the Carrack, which replaces the Caravel. It has one cargo space, which can be used to ferry a Settler over to an island previously inaccessible.

Lastly, the Galleon is a ship with 3 cargo spaces, enough for a Worker, Settler, and military unit, which is accessible to all Civilizations with Astronomy. The Dutch Empire receives the East Indiaman instead of a Galleon. The East Indiaman has 4 cargo spaces and can enter rival cultural borders without an Open Borders treaty, like a Caravel/Carrack.

 

[Polobo]

Be warned if you really end up liking the Carrack that while the ship can go over, your trade routes still will not, so that 1-tile island in the middle of nowhere will have no resources other than maybe seafood if/when you build a workboat in that city (since workboats cannot cross oceans until Astronomy).

 

[Ginger_Ale]

The Portuguese Empire's Unique Unit (UU) is the Carrack, which replaces the Caravel. It has one cargo space, which can be used to ferry a Settler over to an island previously inaccessible.

The Carrack can actually transport 2 units, so you can have a settler and a unit to defend, which is useful.

 

[Crowqueen]

Start with a culture that already has Fishing, and make sure you work on Sailing first. Often there is a surprising amount you can do with a Galley unless you are really isolated. If you are on Big-and-Small, I can normally get most of the way round the world with one.