Starting new game: build cities or military first?

[geardy]

Alright I'm not doing very well at all. So let me have your opinion: when you start a game do you build lots of cities to control land mass or do you spend most of your time building up your military? I can't beat myself out a wet paper bag with this game. I have never had this much problem trying to get on top of a game before. I think that you could give this game to someone who has never played it before and they would make mincemeat out of me. There is know one that post on this board that is worse than I am at this game. I’m the king of losers of CIV3. I’m simply the best at loosing. So have mercy on me by putting a gun to my head and put me out of my misery by telling me how to win. That way I can get out of the basement of one of the all time worse players of CIV3.

Who is the strongest faction and who are the pansies so I can stack the deck for once in my favor?

 

[one_man_assault]

I build a lot of citys first. its the only way from being crushed in diety...build a lot of citys then crank out the troops

 

[MadScot]

geardy

You need to expand, so building cities is pretty important.

One thing to note - usually your core cities are waiting for the population to grow to build settlers - a 'typical' 2 excess food city will take 20 turns to grow by 2 population (from 1 to 3) which is needed to build a settler. Since that city likely has more than 3 shields being built per turn, it probably only takes 10 turns or so to build the settler. Use the 'other' 10 turns to build other stuff - some military is useful, not only to fend off barbs, but also to explore. And if you don't keep a reasonable military the AI civs will bully you.
Check the military advisor, F3. If she tells you you are weaker compared to a neighbour, it's time to emphasise the troops. Average is fine for defence. Of course, you want to be "stronger" if you are looking to pick a fight. (Also, it depends a little on the neighbour; the more inherently agressive civs are more likely to try to bully you anyway)

There's an excellent item on opening moves by Cracker (use the search button to find it, I think it's in the Strategy and Tips forum).

Also, take a look at some of the GOTM or QSC (quick start challenge) games - a competition to be the 'best' at 1000Bc from a common start. Don't try to slavishly copy what people do - it's very dependent on the exact game layout anyway - but look at the decision processes people take, which are often described in the timelines people submit.

Good luck....

 

[Tireur isole]

It realy depends on you location and the games you play. If you are on a lage land mass build cities like mad. If its smaller and there are other civs about go about even. 50% Military 50 %Cities If you are on a small land mass with other civs get your army up fast destroy em then go on building.

 

[Naval Power]

Not putting yourself down is the first step. I used to suck so bad I couldn't beat cheaftain. Now look at me I've won my first Monarch game . Build tons of cities dont even bother with defenders early on, You may ask y barbs can take your cities or another AI can. The barbs cant capture cities at least I dont think they can and if u remain friendly with the AI and give into they're threats they wont attack. Later after you've got quite a few cities build up a military and next time the AI threatens you beat the h-e-double hockysticks out of them.

 

[Strider]

Yup, build your cities up first... If you have only 6 cities, but say 16 swordsmen then that's ok, but if you have 20+ cities you can build 20+ swordsmen in less than 5 turns.... then another 20 in another 5 turns etc.

 

[Quandary]

My first two games, starting at regent, I didn't een make it past the ancient age before my neighbors wiped me out.

I think my first score was in low double digits.

I adapted, in large part due to what I read at the main site.

If it's really that bad for you, can you try a lower level or are you on chieftan already?

Like many here I go for expansion first, but look over the link above. There are a few considerations in expanding, like terrain and the population of your starting city to name a couple.

I found this article about opening moves to be the biggest single aid in getting my game on track.

 

[Alkar]

What if I'm trying to grow, and Zulus cross through a whole continent, passing by the lands of Spain, England and France, just to attack one of my new but well defended cities? xD

How can you try to grow when the AI attacks you with no reasons? Well, the only reason I can see is that my expansionist trait moved me to the following era, while the other civs are just trying to discover how to write.

 

[Lt. 'Killer' M.]

I love to keep expanding, but draw the AIs into wars by grabbing their workers. By the time their troops come for me I can usually negotiate a cheap peace.

THis slows them down a lot and I cna then build troops and wipe the AIs out.

 

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by Naval Power
Not putting yourself down is the first step.

Yes, you need to work on your propaganda machine. Take a few lessons from the Iraqis, the historical Soviets, or even Monty Python.

"Their stomachs will burn in hell."
"There are no Americans in Baghdad."

"We will bury you."
"Our glorious victory of the people."

"It's just a flesh wound."
"Tis but a scratch."

If this doesn't work, try running away.
(Or, if you stubbornly insist on winning actual battles, take advice from a few of the other good responders to your post.)

Zachriel

 

[orangebear]

I build cities..
When i have a new city i build first there spearman or worker..
then i put it build settler etc..
--> A little time has passed..
I have many cities with good roads/connections and my earlier cities are building now improvements or better units..
It's going well for me

 

[Grille]

Sometimes the ais behave like that (black) knight in shining armor.
But they don't even try to run away.

 

[Naval Power]

I love Monty Python!!!

 

[Double Barrel]

It is weird, geardy, but after you do it the first time it will come natural to you on what your first moves will be. I had the same problem back in the day when I first started playing CivII...it is just a matter of finding the balance that is right for you. I tend to like the 50-50 concept myself. Constant expansion (always have a settler being made or looking for a place to build a city) while always building the troops to defend them.

 

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by geardy
Alright I'm not doing very well at all. So let me have your opinion: when you start a game do you build lots of cities to control land mass or do you spend most of your time building up your military?

Once mastering your Propaganda Machine, . . . .

Assuming a standard map, build 2-3 Warriors for exploration and two for your capital. Exploration is very important. Not only do you get Huts, but you also can determine the best land for towns. At about 3000 BC, take a hard look at the position. By then you'll usually know the locations of the neighboring Civs and therefore the entire strategic position. Here is a typical example with the Expansionist Zulu's.



Start building Settlers and Warriors. Defend each Settler with a Warrior, or a Spearman, if you got 'em. Expand until all the available land is taken. At this point, you should have a better idea of which way you want to take the game. Here again with the Zulu's. Notice how the satellite towns are crowded around the capital of Zimbabwe.



On a larger map, build a Granary first, especially if you have bonus Food. On a smaller map (or if you have the opportunity), consider a Rush.

Zachriel

 

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by Zachriel
Assuming a standard map, build 2-3 Warriors for exploration and two for your capital.

This is conservative, that is, "safe" in most positions, while the optimum will be highly contingent.

Zachriel

 

[Hygro]

Zachriel, 2 questions:

1) What difficulty was that? (Was the Zulu game diety?)

2) How does one pronounce Zachriel?

 

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by Hygro
Zachriel, 2 questions:

1) What difficulty was that? (Was the Zulu game diety?)

http://www.zachriel.com/gotm.asp

Originally posted by Hygro

2) How does one pronounce Zachriel?

Zak-ree-el
http://www.angelregistry.com/namesZ.htm

 

[Hygro]

Ah so Monarch, eh?

 

[THX]

geardy,

Your first stop should be the War Academy. There are several lessons on how to start, and how to progress. Look at the "Four Basic Starting Strategies" lesson:

http://www.civfanatics.com/civ3acad_4basicstrat.shtml

That should help.