Strategy and Map Sizes

[Specialist290]

Just wondering, does anybody use a different "technique" for different map sizes, even if they don't change their overall game strategy? I wouldn't know about this sort of thing, since I only play on Large maps (very rarely anything smaller).

 

[ElephantU]

On Large maps the likelyhood of bumping into another civ early is minimal, so defense only needs to deal with the occasional Barb attack. On Small maps, especially those with large land area, they are on you before 3000BC. The AI seems to know if you are on their continent from the start - I have seen them make a beeline for another civ on a large continent. They will throw three or four Chariots at a civ with only one or two cities and knock it out before 2000BC. So defense is a bigger issue earlier in smaller maps. Also, caravan delivery bonuses are larger for shorter distances on Small maps.

 

[Colincivmaster]

I enjoy playing on large maps also. Small ones just don't make for as an exiting game. By the way I am used to flat worlds. I started playing long ago with flat maps and it just stuck. I find it strange playing on round ones Is anyone else like this?

 

[The Person]

Bigger maps give more space for expansion. That's why I almost never play on normal or small maps.

 

[Old n Slow]

Contact occurs sooner on the small map (duh) making the early game more intense. Second discovery (for me at least) is that the land contains more mountains per capita (and maybe the same overall -- haven't checked) than normal or large. Having a number of mountains takes away an advantage of the two move units, which might affect those considering early conquest.

 

[A+ombomb]

On small maps I usually go for a knight overrun, where as on large maps I either go for cavarly (upgraded from horsemen) or even tank overrun. In then end I am always using some sort of conquest, though I will still build a spaceship once I have reduced the computers to 1 or 0 cities.

As far as mountains go, I was unaware of the mountain ratio being higher on small maps, but in either case 2 move units are still the most powerful and best option in my opinion. I usually have 2-3 ships land at different points on an island adjacent to cities and quickly take those cities in the same turn as landing, so the 2 movement is critical.

 

[geofelt]

I think normal sized maps are the best balanced games. Try a minimum(25x40) sized map for some really nasty terrain.
On large maps, I need to get techs from the ai. This means either marco polo or great library. It is very hard to get those filler techs if you have not made contact. It is easier to win the space race, compared to conquest on a large map.

 

[jadelicia]

Does anyone have any favourate customized sizes? I personally don't used customized that much, but once in a while, I try it.

 

[Archer 007]

Giga is fun to play. Small just seemed to "fast-pased".

 

[Colincivmaster]

I hardly ever use custom maps i always use large

 

[steviet32]

My experience is that I have better games with custom maps vs large maps. I use the following settings:
Large
Temperate
Continets
Random World Age.

I seem to have better games with those settings