Starting right next to a player

[Silverfuturist]

This fractal start/random leaders was insane, 6 tiles next to the Chinese capital:


Rolled Japan, I didn't settle my first turn because I desired a river and the land was poor. China moved 1 tile at their start also, making our capitals freaky close. France gets to settle first cuz of their culture bonus, I found myself without a spot to spawn a 2nd city unless I wanted bad land:


Moving ended up giving me 2 iron... if I had settled in place I would have had no iron. But the neighbors had iron also. 2 swords and spears doesn't seem to cut it for a rush if they have iron also and they build units right away. If I scored a 6 iron then I think this would have been a great start for me, I had several warriors ready for upgrade when I got iron. So I went OCC and prayed, got Hang Gardens, started growing but when China sent rifles one city just couldn't cut it.

Not whining about losing (well kind of whining), maybe a champion player would could have done something. I thought of sending a settler into the ocean, but the Ottomans were sailing a ship around.

I had a similar league game the other day - I did have space, but squashed between 2 good players who coincidentally attacked at once and it was over. Although because I make mistakes, I have to stop making mistakes before I can blame my start.

Finally, during FFAs trash talking gets done... I have been assuming this is in good fun, it is just a game and people are immersing themselves into it. I can't see the other people, I don't know what their faces are really showing.

 

[Tabarnak]

I only see 1 solution here. Switch to archery, build 1 warrior, 1 archer, get free worker from Liberty and chop 2 more archers. Buy 1 unit if possible. Get China with 3 archers and 3 warriors. Kill units then take city with Jap's ability(wounded units can do the job).

 

[Silverfuturist]

I only see 1 solution here. Switch to archery, build 1 warrior, 1 archer, get free worker from Liberty and chop 2 more archers. Buy 1 unit if possible. Get China with 3 archers and 3 warriors. Kill units then take city with Jap's ability(wounded units can do the job).

Sounds like a plan... doesn't rely on iron and can rush before IW, in the event China finds iron and insta upgrades warriors when I don't have iron. I think the main problem with pre-iron rushes is that by the time you arrive, your rush is inadequate... 6 tiles away there is no delay.

 

[Tabarnak]

Sounds like a plan... doesn't rely on iron and can rush before IW, in the event China finds iron and insta upgrades warriors when I don't have iron. I think the main problem with pre-iron rushes is that by the time you arrive, your rush is inadequate... 6 tiles away there is no delay.

The goal is to do everything before turn 30. An IW beeline get you to turn 25-26 at best assuming no luck ruins. Add 3-4 turns at best to send worker and improve the iron, or settle a city on it.

Let's make some maths :

Turn 4 : scout
Turn 8-9 : Monument
Turn 14-15 : Warrior
Capital is at pop 3(maximizing gold if possible)
Turn 16 : worker form Liberty(earlier if culture ruin)
Turn 18-19 : Archer
Turn 19 : Archer(chopped)
Turn 22-23 : Archer(chopped), Warrior

Now, we have 3 archers and 3 warriors. If you can get 140 before turn 25, add a unit(i suggest a warrior). Throw all this army before turn 30 in ennemy's territory. This strat is the best against Iroquois too because he will not have archery yet.

Ok, but what's next? We have France to deal with.

Meanwhile, you have researched IW around turn 30. Don't build anymore cities. Keep the free settler in your capital(you will be in unhappiness). Upgrade warriors. Attack France ASAP. Search for luxuries techs and go for Philo. Save 400 if possible(from conquest, pillaging). Rush buy a lib in cap(after a granary or more workers) and start NC. Why a granary when no happiness? To add production without starving. NC will stay cheap enough. At same turn you finished the NC settle a new city and annex both caps. You should be ok if you can stay at -9 or higher. With maths, build courthouses. Sit down, relax and prosper

Edit : If it was a pure theorical question without knowledge of map i would say that the free settler is going for iron and start a library in it(or monument if tech not opened).

When i will get back home i will make a new thread, prepare a save at quick speed and prince settings and make some rules(to not taking advantage of the AI) and see how we can do a little army in an optimal way before turn 30. It should be interesting for everyone.

 

[MadDjinn]

When i will get back home i will make a new thread, prepare a save at quick speed and prince settings and make some rules(to not taking advantage of the AI) and see how we can do a little army in an optimal way before turn 30. It should be interesting for everyone.

Prince AI isn't the same as an MP player.

the player will rage quit sooner!

Otherwise, archer rushes are great, unless the enemy also rushes archers. (China should)

Couple shots and each units that comes close is dead. Ranged units benefit from being able to shoot even if there's two units in the city. (the 2nd gets kicked out eventually)

Looking at that map, I'd almost suggest taking out the close City States to gain puppets. (pre-math) at the very least, it should be new lux and definite strat resources eventually. (and hopefully Iron)

I'd also have taken the risk and looked for islands/other land masses really early (so early Optics). If you aren't expanding, you're becoming a target.

Diplomacy wise - Getting Siam to stampy rush China from one side while you come at them from the other side could have been nice. Keeping france under control might have required getting Germany to LK rush them. If France didn't plan on using the Musketeers, then the Ottomans would likely roll everyone with fast Janissaries and Siph.

 

[Tabarnak]

Prince AI isn't the same as an MP player.

For this exercise, the goal is to make an army the fastest as possible. Prince setting is only for happiness start for the human player. Most of mp games are at Prince. Taking a city AI at Prince is an auto win i agree.