STR-01: The Scorched Lands

[Strauss]

Alright then, I will play this tomorrow morning/afternoon. Keep watching for some spectacular pictures!

 

[Strauss]

A World in Flames

1964: With millions of Indian troops driving and marching towards the last strongholds, it is clear to even the most proud Mongolian that they have at last met their end. The Mongolians had once vowed to conquer the world, but nearly 6000 years later it is the Indian Empire that has emerged as Master of the World.

But what is it worth now? The Mongols already realized 18 years ago that they would never conquer the world. They refused to accept any other supreme ruler, and, by launching their entire nuclear arsenal, doomed the world. The radioactivity has maimed those that were born after 1946, and the earth's surface is slowly becoming uninhabitable.

The Indians have therefore started to leave this doomed planet and go into space, to find new lands to inhabit, leaving behind Rome and what's left of Persia and Mongolia.

 

[blastoidstalker]

Send them to the oblivion that they richely deserve Strauss!!!!

 

[Strauss]

Aren’t I a drama-queen?

I found out that those buildings seen by Kanga weren’t bomb shelters, but bunkers, only useful against air units. However, the Indians DID build SDI. Eventually, 5 of our original nukes hit their target, and the one built later as well.

As you read above, it all didn’t matter. India’s army was simply too big, and our army was practically wiped out in less than 10 turns. I was relieved when he finally built his spaceship, because he would have destroyed us before 1980.

We did, however, scorch as many lands (including our own) as we possibly could with what we had. If we don’t rule the world, then no-one will.

Picture gallery below, and here’s the replay if someone wants to enter it into their Hall of Fame

 

[Strauss]

 

[Strauss]

Final comments:

Despite losing the game, I greatly enjoyed playing/hosting this SG. The team played together well, and I don't think we can be blamed for our eventual loss.

This game has pointed out that it's VERY hard to win this type of variant on continents. We only had a few civs contacted early, and they were all dead or at war with us before we could start any form of trade, throwing us into a huge tech-hole. Invading the other continent would also have been hard for us if we had an up-to-date army, considering our variant.

I definitely liked hosting, and I'm setting up STR-03 in the coming days. I first want to solve my roster problems in STR-02 though, anyone willing to help me out there?

 

[Pvblivs]

... retreat! ... retreat! ... retreat! ...

I didn't think we would thus rapidly loose to India. But sometimes even a lost Space Race can have its good side. Didn't you have the option to turn us into a vassal of India?

I'm thinking of new SG types that would be of interest for me.

1. Something with TAM (for example domination with Greece)
2. Something with Warlords
3. Something that forces a great navy (sea dominance, never must an enemy ship enter our cultural borders, else this is considered something like a loss)

Hopefully all combined. At least 1 and 3. And hopefully one or the other of you What do you guys think?

 

[Strauss]

Didn't you have the option to turn us into a vassal of India?

I never want to hear such a thing again!

I'm thinking of two new SG types that would be of interest for me.

1. Something with TAM (for example domination with Greece)
2. Something with Warlords

Hopefully both combined. What do you guys think?

Do you mean you're going to host a SG, or do you want to join such an SG if someone, by sheer coincidence, hosted that SG?

 

[Pvblivs]

I never want to hear such a thing again!



Do you mean you're going to host a SG, or do you want to join such an SG if someone, by sheer coincidence, hosted that SG?

I just extended my wish list.

I would start such an SG, though I don't believe I could lead it all the time. You now this from Farae, don't you

I would prefer to play with TAM, Greece, sea dominance (as stated) and colonization. Though TAM seems still not mature enough (some with bugs and some with gameplay), this might hold me back, but it is the most interesting thing I would want to try...

Edit: I forgot to mention, that of course, by sheer coincidence, I would also join such an SG.

Though your Astronomy game isn't that interesting anymore. Actually your variant phase seems almost over when I read your reports. Now only domination is forced, that's quite common

 

[Strauss]

Though your Astronomy game isn't that interesting anymore. Actually your variant phase seems almost over when I read your reports. Now only domination is forced, that's quite common

Hmm, you're probably right there. Though the game is still enjoyable for those already involved (I think), I can see why a newcomer would see it as a 'regular' game. I hope people still enjoy reading it though.

@ TAM: I haven't played this one yet. I haven't played any CivIV-mods at all actually. However, it seems to be quite popular, so I might give it a shot the coming days. As for a Warlords SG, I think hosting one is not a good idea atm. The majority of SG-players (including me) still haven't bought Warlords. I'm not even sure if I'll ever get it to be honest, the reviews are so terribly mixed. I'm kind of putting my hopes on a 2nd expansion to do to Civ4 what Conquests did to Civ3. If you want to join a Warlords SG, check out JOE's Crusaders SG.

I have a decent list of ideas for new SG's, but I like this one the best atm:
Variant:We may not connect any luxuries, nor build any happiness-buildings (except religious buildings).

Does that sound interesting?

 

[Pvblivs]

I have a decent list of ideas for new SG's, but I like this one the best atm:
Variant:We may not connect any luxuries, nor build any happiness-buildings (except religious buildings).Does that sound interesting?

Well it sounds like a warmonger-heredity-rule variant that restricts you very much in the possible ways of playing in a direction that many people play normally anyways (don't they? ): Early domination/conquest. If you would combine it with a cultural victory (space race turned off) THEN it would be interesting and you could count me in

Otherwise - how do you like this:

Colonization and sea dominance:
- Standard, Continents, high waterlevel, Epic, most likely on Monarch with a financial civ.
- City placement: Only coastal cities alowed (at least 4 water tiles?). Continental cities must be razed or gifted away ASAP. If second is not possible: starved away (no food) and abandoned until captured by an enemy.
- Colonization: We must have at least 1 city at every landmass that is greater than est. 30 land tiles. Maybe snaky continents (low waterlevel is the better map type for this -> some more islands)
- Sea dominance: Every pillaged sea resource or enemy bridgehead (landing troops) within our cultural borders is considered a loss
- And some variant that ensures that we're at war one or the other day (but not always)

This would be a greater SG on Warlords as there are Triremes and wars are more likely.

 

[Strauss]

Well it sounds like a warmonger-heredity-rule variant that restricts you very much in the possible ways of playing in a direction that many people play normally anyways (don't they? ): Early domination/conquest. If you would combine it with a cultural victory (space race turned off) THEN it would be interesting and you could count me in

I didn't mention the required victory. I'll think it over for a bit.

Otherwise - how do you like this:

[........]

This would be a greater SG on Warlords as there are Triremes and wars are more likely.

That's pretty much my orginal idea for STR-02. It sounds interesting, but again, I would wait on starting a Warlords SG.

 

[Pvblivs]

That's pretty much my orginal idea for STR-02. It sounds interesting, but again, I would wait on starting a Warlords SG.

Yeah. One could play it with aggressive AI instead of Warlords. What do you think?

In STR-02 you have nothing about restrictions "we must have colonies" or "we must have sufficient navy" or "we must not have non-coastal cities"

You only have restrictions in when to start domination and say you need domination victory. I'm not saying that. In fact I'm tired of all those aims to rule the world ASAP but without this or that benefit. I'd rather see some variants were your playstyle changes signifantly into an unusual thing.

 

[Strauss]

In STR-02 you have nothing about restrictions "we must have colonies" or "we must have sufficient navy" or "we must not have non-coastal cities"

I know that of course. I said it was my original idea (well, at least along the lines), because I eventually changed it.

In fact I'm tired of all those aims to rule the world ASAP but without this or that benefit.

I'm not. I think it's quite interesting to see how to rule the world with a certain handicap.

Although I also have some ideas for 'peaceful' games.

 

[Pvblivs]

It doesn't have to be peaceful. I'm just bored of trying to achieve a domination before someone else launches the spaceship.

If you're the only one in a game that seeks military domination and you just try to bring down some heavily armored but almost passive opponents it just does not feel like an interesting challenge. It's like banging your head against a wall long enough until it finally falls down.

Sad that you modified your rules

 

[Strauss]

It doesn't have to be peaceful. I'm just bored of trying to achieve a domination before someone else launches the spaceship.

If you're the only one in a game that seeks military domination and you just try to bring down some heavily armored but almost passive opponents it just does not feel like an interesting challenge. It's like banging your head against a wall long enough until it finally falls down.

Well, the passiveness of the AI is just something that we'll have to live with for the moment. I've read that AI's are more agressive in Warlords though, can you confirm this Pvblivs? I'm still tempted to get Warlords, I'm just not completely sure.

 

[Pvblivs]

Yes I can confirm this. I've been drawn into war twice in warlords where I was passive before I went to destroy those evil attackers.

It seems that in Warlords that the AI knows a little bit better what to do...

 

[Strauss]

Yes I can confirm this. I've been drawn into war twice in warlords where I was passive before I went to destroy those evil attackers.

It seems that in Warlords that the AI knows a little bit better what to do...

Hmmmmmm... I think I'm gonna get Warlords then. I'm gonna wait with STR-03 until I've played through Warlords a bit to see if I like it.