Strategy: Modern era unit rush. Growth/tech tips and advice requested.

[Febreze]

After playing Civ for a little while now, I find that I enjoy conquest victories involving a sizable tech lead by the Modern Era the best. However I find I'm having trouble on Immortal and Deity, either by not gaining the appropriate tech lead, dealing with multiple DoWs and drowning in a sea of enemy units, or both. What would be some good ways to maximize growth/tech in the until wars of conquest in the Modern Era, knowing that I usually like to rush for Stealth or Mech Inf? (In the absence of immediately available aluminum).

I usually play on standard-sized pangaea maps, quick/standard speed. Also at present, I usually go one of two ways to accomplish all of this playing as either Aztecs (growth rate) or Babylon (early defense/GS absurdity)

1) Beeline Mathematics, ToA>HG/Tradition finisher for rapid growth, followed by NC before first city and then HS>PT and ND if I can squeeze it in. Take Rationalism and RA spam, followed by Freedom's specialist policies. Usually 1-3 cities by Modern Era.

2) Go directly for writing (plant GS tile if Babylon) and GL>HS>PT>ND. Take Liberty and settle other cities very early, followed by staffed universities ASAP. Liberty finisher gets either Astronomy for early Rationalism or a rushed ND, whichever seems more pertinent. Take Rationalism and RA spam, followed by Freedom's specialist policies. Usually 4-6 cities by Modern Era.

#1 Is actually most comfortable for me as for some reason I like super-tall empires better, but this seems entirely ineffective on Immortal+. #2 I understand provides faster teching if done correctly, but I can't seem to both secure all that wonder production and expand quickly enough to secure the space around me before somebody else does. As far as defense until Modern goes, I will also attempt both Himeji Castle and Kremlin, and take Universal Suffrage. If I manage to do 2 of those 3 things before anyone declares on me, I'm basically invincible with a small army of artillery/meat shields, of course again this is ineffective at higher difficulties.

I have also tried early rush strategies to secure territory/advantage, but I find that missing out on the wonders upon which I rely cripples my desired rate of development. Not to mention I seem to have an issue with the cities I conquer being way, way too far from my immediate territory for some reason.


To note, I have already viewed Ggmoyang's stealth beeline thread, Snarzberry's stealth beeline thread, Wainy's America stealth beeline thread and a few associated LP's. I would be absolutely thrilled to receive input from any of the aforementioned players, or anyone familiar with this kind of strategy/goal.

 

[DevilHell]

Dude I've just finished the description of your game on Emperor.
I think just like you do, even about the Aztec growth rate, I will describe some things.
If capital isn't mountain side, your second city should be.
That's gonna be your science city, that city SHOULD really have the HG and should have at least 3 hills, for production.
This game was with Napoleon, so I'd clarify that you also need enough culture so maybe monument, temple and opera house (hermitage in capital) will be required, you have to balance both.
This time I got first to replaceable parts so my first rush was legion..
With Aztecs the best (I think) is to go writing first, while building GL hard tech mathematics, EDIT: meanwhile this you should build HG in your mountain side city ... bulb philosophy and hard tech theology, then civil service and for education you'll have a GS, you will hurry porcelain tower and try ND.
Further on is your choice really.. With this strategy you will have some time between to tech mining and calendar if needed don't worry.
Hope it helps good luck.

EDIT: With aztecs, as you tech mathematics, the wheel gives you the floating gardens so there you go.. I rush buy them to not lose time..

 

[civIII]

I do this victory type in most of my games, since I prefer to win wars with cool units like GDR rather than hoplites. Basically the best way to do this is to quickly expand early, by this i mean making 3-4 settlers early on with the help of liberty. After I have 4-6 core cities, I focus on a balance of wonders/infrastructure. The most important wonders for this to work are usually HG and ND. Some helpful ones are GL, oracle, PT, and FP. I think it's really important that you don't get obsessed with wonders. Focus on the fundaments like having cities with strong cities with good production, cash flow, and growth rates. I try and stay on the good side of all the civs. This lets me sign plenty of research agreements, trade luxs, and sell excess strat. resources. I always get liberty and rationalism as my SPs for this strat.

The last important thing is how you build up your army. I try and factor in the UU for my civ into my army. For example if i'm persia, I quickly make like 8 immortals early on in the game. This discourages DOWs from surrounding civs, and if they do occur I can quickly repel their invasion force. The immortals eventually turn into an army of mech infantry that heals like crazy.

 

[chazzycat]

IMO, it's hard to succeed on immortal+ relying so heavily on early wonders. On immortal I typically don't build any wonders until HS, unless there is a super-obvious huge benefit. For example getting 4 stone/marble in your capital and going for the Mausoleum, or popping writing from a ruin and going for GL.

Assuming you have a little room, try expanding more. Expanding to every nearby unique luxury is generally a decent rule. Liberty is the go-to tree. Focus on getting about 4 cities and 4 workers up ASAP.

You can still RA spam but the benefit of having more cities is that you have more great scientist factories, which should help in your slingshot. You can also specialize a bit more and have a city or two that only build military units, letting your good science/gold cities focus on infrastructure and wonders.

 

[The Pilgrim]

IMO, it's hard to succeed on immortal+ relying so heavily on early wonders.

Nothing to add.