Suicide galleys are historically correct

[Bibor]

The Egyptians used not galley, but rather a smaller ship made of bamboo to reach the shores of South America. It has been proved by the modern expeditions Ra I and RA II.
South Americans used a similar vessel (but made of wood that contains rubber i think) to reach Polynesia (well far from SAmerica). Proved also by modern expedition Kon-Tiki on which they used *no* modern stuff like charts and sextant and sailed a copy of the boat. It took them around 100 days to do so (not very much by CIV standards).

So why is this exploit? From game terms, like getting premature contacts with other civs so you can trade tech faster and better, yes. But noone says your ship is going to make it anyway. You can send a dozen galleys (that would be many many useful production shields wasted).

EDIT: I found a link as proof: http://www.museumsnett.no/kon-tiki/Expeditions/

 

[Cuivienen]

These anthropologists all had an advantage -- they knew the Americas were there. Also, the Egyptian expeditions have shaky evidence at best, though the Phoenicians likely did reach the Americas (some say their logs simply tell of landing on the Azores, though).

EDIT: And you have it backwards. If, IF the Polynesians reached South America (which is also hotly debated), the South Americans certainly never reached Polynesia.

 

[Rik Meleet]

This is an explanation for the nicotine and cocaine found in Egyptian mummies. The Tobacco-plant and the Coca-tree (Coca-bush ???) are native only to the America's.

 

[Bibor]

EDIT: And you have it backwards. If, IF the Polynesians reached South America (which is also hotly debated), the South Americans certainly never reached Polynesia.

The Kon-Tiki Expedition

The balsa wood raft Kon-Tiki was built as a copy of a prehistoric South American vessel. Constructed of nine balsa logs collected from Equador, a crew of six men sailed the raft from Callao in Peru the 28th of April 1947 and landed on the island of Raroia in Polynesia after 101 days.


Anyway, due to the constant winds around equator, its impossible to sail from west to east (at least south of equator, north of equator is vice versa).

-bibor

 

[Cuivienen]

Nonetheless, the only theories actually involving Polynesian-South American travel involve Polynesians settling South America (which would explain how people "migrated" so quickly from Alaska to South America).

 

[Uncle Sam]

Maybe this should be in the World History section?

 

[Chieftess]

It could be, but the thread starter is asking about if it's an exploit to have suicide galleys. (BTW, I saw something like that on TV several years ago) Anyway, I suppose it wouldn't be an exploit if you were the one stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere. (happened to me once - co-op MP game. My ally was on a continent with 6 AI. My lucky curragh spent 5 turns at sea.)...



Then every AI declared war on me.

 

[Unexisted]

How do you use/make a Suicide Galley?

 

[barbslinger]

The reason that suicide galleys are in the exploit section is a simple answer. The AI is not programmed to do it. The AI ships will never leave the coast.

 

[narmox]

How do you use/make a Suicide Galley?

you just take your galley and sail out to sea and ocean even though you don't have the techs to allow them to survive there.. They might die, they might not. You might be lucky enough to find continents/nations or islands you might not find till astronomy or navigation.

If it's an exploit, then WHY do the seafaring civs have smaller chances of dying at sea/ocean, if it wasn't intended that players should try to use suicide galleys?

 

[Repeat Offender]

I dont' consider it an exploit at all. There is a risk vs reward. You could go 1 space out and sink your 15 or so shields (or however much they cost). I say use it.

 

[Repeat Offender]

The AI doesn't make use of a LOT of the features of the game. for example, artillery, effective milking (mas roads/mines/railroad), etc etc. They AI gets to make up for it with huge bonuses to production and what not.

 

[Loaf Warden]

The Egyptians used not galley, but rather a smaller ship made of bamboo to reach the shores of South America. It has been proved by the modern expeditions Ra I and RA II.

I believe that what they proved is that it was theoretically possible for the Egyptians to have reached South America, not that they ever actually did.

It could be, but the thread starter is asking about if it's an exploit to have suicide galleys. (BTW, I saw something like that on TV several years ago) Anyway, I suppose it wouldn't be an exploit if you were the one stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere.

On a random map where you don't know if there'll even be land there or not, I don't see how it could be an exploit. Maybe the AI doesn't do it, but maybe they just aren't as intrepid as we are.

On a pre-made map, I could make the case for it being an exploit because you already know where the next bit of land is, so you know you have something to gain by sailing from here but not from there. But for the same reasons, some people would argue that it's an exploit to use a pre-made map at all. I don't happen to agree, but I do understand their case.

 

[Unexisted]

you just take your galley and sail out to sea and ocean even though you don't have the techs to allow them to survive there.. They might die, they might not. You might be lucky enough to find continents/nations or islands you might not find till astronomy or navigation.

If it's an exploit, then WHY do the seafaring civs have smaller chances of dying at sea/ocean, if it wasn't intended that players should try to use suicide galleys?

Oh, I understand. I thought it was like setting the Galley on fire and crashing it into another naval vessel.

I always make voyages with no return