Space-3 discussion thread

[a space oddity]

High time for a new game in the Space-x series.

This time I'd like to try a straight Sid game. I'm considering Continents or Pangaea, but every setting is up for discussion at this point in time. The game itself will start somewhere in April, so we've a while to make up our minds.

The current roster of Sid-master wannabees:
Karasu
Mad-bax
Northern Pike
Space

We've some room for a few more players, but be prepared for a relaxed pace and a friendly atmosphere.

Greebley came up with an interesting idea: start with less AI than in standard for the map size. Will this be easier or harder. Only the shield costs are much lower for the AI, still the same amount of food is needed to grow AFAIK. It could be that in those circumstances we would have a bigger chance to grow to a decent size. The AI will be big anyway. The SG Sid games show that the AI will gobble up the runts anyway with their access of units. That being said a Sid AI that big from the start might be impossible to beat.

Thoughts?

 

[bed_head7]

I'll join.

Build rate affects food needed, so Sid AI only need 8 food to grow when towns, 16 for city, etc. For this reason, I think Greebley's idea will make things much much more difficult. Unless the two go to war, there is absolutely no way to keep up. And if they go to war, what if one starts winning. His idea seems insane to me, but maybe I am missing something.

 

[a space oddity]

That's quick! You're in.

We'll see just how crazy this team is...

 

[ainwood]

Looks like some familiar names here! Got room for me (and can you trust me to actually play on-time? )

 

[MeteorPunch]

If you're lookin' to grow big, I'd say AGR is a no-brainer. Dutch and Sumerian seem good.

 

[bed_head7]

Isn't this KA01B, with Karasu in for Kaiser_Berger? Or Gator01B, with Karasu in for Kaiser_Berger? Or the staff team in SGOTM3, which I lurked if you remember, with me in for Zagnut, and NP for a who am I forgetting? [I see there were only five, so trade NP for Zagnut and trade me lurking for me playing]

And I don't care what promises you make, ainwood, considering this team and the level, I will be surprised if this is finished come next March.

 

[a space oddity]

@Ainwood: sure, welcome to the team.

@MeteorPunch: we played the Dutch in Space-2, so I would like a different choice this time. We'll consider AGR if we play a wet world. We'll definitely need to fight to win though, so MIL has its benefits too.

edit: @bed_head: You can't say I didn't warn you....

 

[bed_head7]

Aztecs meet Sid? That might be fun. Never seen them there. Of course, no Alphabet, and we could find ourselves in a tech hole fast even if we have a decent empire. Then again, I guess getting out of a tech hole is what the MIL is for.

@space - I know what I signed on for. And my first ever SG, Jumpmasters1C, went 7 months, believe it or not. I can manage with this group. And maybe Northern Pike will be able to keep us on track. Or not.

 

[ainwood]

And I don't care what promises you make, ainwood, considering this team and the level, I will be surprised if this is finished come next March.

There's always MB to take the blame....

 

[Karasu]

Hmm... Agricultural... Militaristic... No chance to play the English, then?

 

[bed_head7]

English are my favorite, and I'd love to play as them. Not that it matters.

 

[mad-bax]

I'm easily pleased. Sumeria would be a laugh. Despotic GA, early war against overwhelming odds.

Can't believe Sid is that difficult anyway, particularly when I'm being carried by you guys.

 

[MeteorPunch]

I'm easily pleased. Sumeria would be a laugh. Despotic GA, early war against overwhelming odds.

I thought the Enkidu's would scare the ai off for awhile allowing some growth. I've been wrong before though.

 

[a space oddity]

Can't believe Sid is that difficult anyway, particularly when I'm being carried by you guys.

Oh, didn't I tell you? You're supposed to carry us... !

edit: The way I look at it we 'just' need to survive until rails. I'm not sure what's the best way to achieve that. A decent defensive UU could come in handy, but we need a usefull GA too.

 

[bed_head7]

France then? France and the Netherlands best fit both roles, space, and you already indicated your feelings about the Dutch. Or we could abandon one of those, and go for one of the Chivalry UUs for a useful GA, or go for the Greeks to get a good defensive (at least one more useful than Enkidu's).

 

[a space oddity]

Hmm, yes, the French would fit the bill nicely.. if we have saltpeter.
We'd need to go with an arid world to improve our chances. The better human infra strategy should be helped by it.

 

[Karasu]

Hey, I don't want to survive... I want to rule the world!

If we want an arid world, we cannot surely pick the Dutch or the English...

Well. I have been looking at the C3C data, but I can't find a civ I'd like to play -they all look good...

 

[a space oddity]

@Karasu: I know, I find it hard too. Actually it was the other way 'round, Arid if we choose France, we can go for Wet if we choose the Dutch or English. Any preference for landmass?

 

[Doc Tsiolkovski]

The way I look at it we 'just' need to survive until rails.

IMHO the most critical parts are:
1) Survive until you have a decent defender. Yes, defender - attacking is one thing, but being able to fend off the AI something completely different.
2) Prevent a single runaway Civ. No matter how weak you are, that isn't the real problem - as long as there is a AI Civ strong enough to hurt the strongest AI considerably.
I know, this is easier said as done; but, if you go to war, choose the correct victim, and choose your allies wisely.

The first point makes France an extremely good choice. And, France works extremely well for 'Capture the GLib' strategies due to the UU.

Fewer Civs should make it a lot more difficult; your only chance for pre-industrial wars is jumping the gun and a Civ that already is under pressure, or bring in lots of allies.

 

[Karasu]

Any preference for landmass?

How about Pelago.

But that's not a real preference, just to keep the discussion going.
Do we want to make our life easier or not? And how much anyway?