I think we need to focus on our strengths and those of our teammates (barbs).
Our landmass is a bit shy of production. Not severely, but it will be best at cottage spam (once we clear all the jungle). Thus, until we have managed to obtain a foothold elsewhere, our production capacity is going to be lacking.
The barbs will found cities and perhaps capture a few. By gaining BW so quickly, there are already a number of barb axemen annoying our opponents. If (when?) we manage to get to stonehenge, we can help the barbs with growth to aid in a possible domination victory.
We can research and build supporting units for barb attacks on the opposing cities for a conquest win. (e.g. catapults) Of course, we can't really direct the barbs to a specific location.
We will have to build ships. Lots of ships, probably.
One use of ships is to deny the seas to the computers. This will help in taking out the 3 civs isolated from the main landmass. Perhaps not Alex, since he is so close.
We can sit tight and build towards a cultural win. This will be a tad difficult as we have no religions and may get none unless we start working towards them early. We can get religions by capturing holy cities from the computers. Asoka is unlikely given location and size. Alex might be possible. Others will develop. I expect Izzy to get one fairly soonish.
I think one of those three options is the best for us. All the other wins take too long. As we have a fairly new and inexperienced team, I don't really expect to win this challenge (except perhaps by simply being lucky enough to be the only ones to survive to a win
). Thus, I think we should be aiming towards the type of win that is easiest for us given the existing setup and our own strengths. What that is, I am unsure. I think, given that we have barbs (raging) as a primary asset, that cultural is the least suitable for the situation. It is perhaps the easiest sure victory, but does not lend itself to a speedy win. That leaves either conquest or domination. I think we could work towards either.
The focus on the two is different. If we are going conquest, we need to aim towards helping keep the computers weak. We need to research weapons that our? barbs can use. We need to aid them in taking down cities. We need to stay at war. If we are going domination, we need to focus on lots of land and population. Peace if possible. Lots of settlers, workers (probably needed anyway given all the jungle), gold, and happiness. Our island is well suited to cottage spam to keep up with the expenses. Our leader traits fit well towards either/both.
In the near future, we will gain sailing and can get a bit more exploration done. We don't see quite enough yet to know if we can get by with just galleys for transport. We can reach Saladin for certain, but it appears we may just be out of reach of everyone else without astronomy. We need to check this out asap as it will have a significant impact on what we will do. We also need to settle near the stone soon. I would have preferred that before the bronze, actually. There was a food source there as well as hills to make a significant useful city. We should certainly make that our next city.
We will also be getting a few techs from our barb friends soon. Hunting in the next couple of turns, for sure. Agri, soon after. The wheel is a ways away, so we may need to add that to our list soonish. IW is going to need to be a priority for several reasons (jungle, barb swords).
I also suggest we actually use! the advantages of slavery
for ongoing production. It might be the only way we can produce enough.
Also, in looking at the progress summary of our competitors, perhaps we need to slow down in playing a bit and spend more time planning/talking out what we need. We are advancing quick quickly along the time lines with little clear direction.
Also, a side note. We can't pop goody huts, but I seem to recall in a test that cultural spread does pop them for us.
Enough rambling for now.
thats cool! but i'm looking too far ahead...
