Strating with dense rivals without iron/copper/horse/ivory.

[gavenkoa]

There is an old thread:

* https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/no-copper-no-iron-no-war.178636/
* https://www.reddit.com/r/civ/comments/dgenw/civ4_question_no_hope_without_iron_or_copper_on/

I was in such game with crippled stagnating economy (can build units but can't progress research) in war with Shaka & China. Rivals (5 nations) have 3/4 cities, I have 4. All on single island of Tiny size map.

Difficulty Immortal and I tried "Aggressive AI" option for fun.

I got to Archery, Iron Working, Writing and actively built cottages (Philosophical/Charismatic) trying to keep positive income.

They lost troops against my Archers in cities but I had no any research progress...

With stack of archers (Combat 1) I took control of Iron but I am in negative balance (upkeep of units is ~25c at T100).

I wasted a lot of time on Shaka's Impi (STR4) until I got access to Iron and then I struggled to Construction (from the money of taken city) and conquered Shaka. Catapult are necessary as Shaka's city culture defense was 40-60%.

What can be done without iron/copper/horse/ivory?

I saw:

* attack with archers and catapults
* beeline to Feudalism
* constantly destroy rival's Iron with spies.
* generate new map - don't like this option ((

Extra: above discussions say nothing about crippled economy & constant war from ~T70.

 

[gavenkoa]

To be honest I haven't tried to trade Iron from peaceful AIs. Instead of stacking Archers I might cut unit cost in flavor of importing Iron or Copper...

 

[gavenkoa]

Another mistake is that I haven't considered to make peace with Shaka after getting his Iron. This decreases war weariness making cities a bit larger (more cottages!). It might help to catch research process...

 

[gavenkoa]

Another idea: prepare junk city for gifting. Make other AI exposed to Shaka on other part of the map.

Will distant solitary city increase tension between AIs?

Is city giving pacify AI?

 

[gavenkoa]

Some difficulty that you don't know in advance if you have access to strategic resources. So you my wasted time on Animal Husbandry, Iron Working...

 

[gavenkoa]

Found another problem: haven't settled Great Scientists besides Academy. I got some and with stagnating economy +8beakers/T in early game helped definitely. I kept them for future +1500 research boost, greedy me ))