[BTS] Shadow Game - Monarch / Ramesses

[Hesha]

I guess my point was it simply does not matter. Just roll a leader. If it is Ramses then roll again. But the two leaders I recommend most for learning are Toku and Washington. Toku is generally regarded as the worst leader. Basically, for learning, you will pretty much ignore his traits and uniques, which IMO is a good thing while learning. Washington on the other hand I like as a better but not OP leader. He has nice traits that work somewhat passively or with less thought around them, and again, uniques that are not a consideration.

I understand your point to a degree, but it is not like small vs. standard is that different. I play standard all the time and play tons of games. It is fine for you to play whatever maps, sizes or settings you want. I'm just recommending standard maps for learning. And Pangaea is pretty compact anyway. I think you will find it not much more of an effort than the Rammy game.

I guess it plays a very big role when you try a domination victory, because 68% of a standard map is A LOT more to conquer and maintain than 68% of a small map. It's not harder, it's just more work.

I have to think about this. Not sure if it means to learn on standard, when I'm then never going to play standard because I don't like it. It's like learning to drive in a huge pickup truck when you know you'll be living and driving in Tokyo

 

[lymond]

Well, you may want to play some GOTMs sometimes. They are fun. HOF you can play anything you want.

Anyway, what you learn can apply to smaller maps. It gets more crazy when you start changing speeds.

Funny, so many new guys come here wanting to play Huge maps...ugh

 

[Hesha]

I totally get the appeal of larger maps. To be honest, from a simulationist perspective, that's what Civ is meant to be played on. A map size where "London" has a BFC that covers the SE of England. Not half of Europe. So from that perspective I totally get it and Europe is too small even on a Huge map.

But it's just no fun to play.

Same goes for speeds, actually. I mean... the game is totally distorted with the relationship between movement speed and the speed of technological advancement. By the time you have walked your macemen over to your neighbour, he could have riflemen. Do you know what I mean? Again, from a simulationist perspective, it's just more "realistic" to play super slow.

But it's just no fun to play.

I love simulation. But I am aware that my time here on Earth is limited

 

[Major Tom]

Playing tiny emperor is like stepping down a level.
Encourage you to play standard size.
If you insist playing tiny you might just as well play immortal.

 

[Hesha]

Playing tiny emperor is like stepping down a level.
Encourage you to play standard size.
If you insist playing tiny you might just as well play immortal.

So you think smaller = easier? Why is that? Not saying it's not true, I just want to understand your reasoning.

 

[Fippy]

AI needs space to become dangerous, they are not using city overlap.
Fewer AIs also means less chance of one randomly doing well

 

[lymond]

So you think smaller = easier? Why is that? Not saying it's not true, I just want to understand your reasoning.

Fewer Ais, Smaller Ais, less powerful AIs.

Huge has the opposite effect. More AIs, Larger AIs, stronger AIs. AI strength comes from their bonuses which are realized when they get more land. That is why Imperialistic AIs are some of the strongest in the game, whereas the trait is far less valued by the human player.

xpost with her ladyship

 

[Major Tom]

Yes, like my & ly says. In addition they will be stronger through alliance, tech trades, apostolic resolutions etc. You should learn to handle the diplomatic game. Having only two AI on the board who hates each other is no challenge.

 

[Hesha]

Yes, like my & ly says. In addition they will be stronger through alliance, tech trades, apostolic resolutions etc. You should learn to handle the diplomatic game. Having only two AI on the board who hates each other is no challenge.

Fair enough. I never play with 2 AI, though. Even on tiny default is 3 and I usually up that to 4 or 5. EDIT: Sorry, that was incorrect. Default is 2, I usually increase to 3 or 4.