Superslug: Chieftain attempt #1

[superslug]

After my frustrating decision to abandon my Emperor level attempt, I thought long and hard about my particular playstyle and mistakes I made. I've decided I need to make some changes, not the least of which is including RCP rather than just ICS everywhere like I have been.

I also picked up some bad habits while I was beta testing for Conquests. Since the Conquests versions I was playing were not yet perfected (as is the point of beta testing), I explored the game for the unbalanced corners and abused them heavily.

So, I'm starting off from scratch on Chieftain.

Map Settings: Huge - Wet - Warm - 5 Billion Year - Sedentary Barbarians with 8 AIs.

I'll post screenshots and data as soon as I get to a 10ad/Middle age I like.

I will again be the Chinese.

 

[superslug]

I have a 10ad game I'm going to play on with. I think I have an RCP layout, but am not entirely sure (I don't fully understand the full mechanics of that yet). All my current Settlers are headed towards my ICS sprawl. I have one city cranking a Settler every four turns and the rest churning them out fairly fast.

My ring layout isn't completely proper yet because it's centered around my FP and I haven't had occasion to jump my Palace yet, but when I have a GL handy, I will.

 

[superslug]

I'm basing my RCP layout on this graphic by ILoveToast from the RCP thread:

 

[superslug]

And this is a screenshot showing my use of cities in the 3 and 5 positions:

 

[superslug]

It's now in the 800ads and I just cakewalked England to her oblivion in a laughable four turn war that cost me all of two units. Here's the mimimap:

 

[superslug]

Or maybe here (it's late):

 

[Moonsinger]

RCP and ICS combined? I have always want to try that. I'm looking forward to see your result.

 

[superslug]

The ICS is somewhat obvious from the latest minimap, isn't it? It wasn't until I took out England (no razing this time) that increased my city spacing to 2 tiles rather than 1. I was in danger of hitting the 512 city cap before my Domination limit.

 

[Moonsinger]

From your mini-map, I also noticed that you have plenty of empty land awaiting to be filled. Since territory means score, you may want to fill up those empty space first and get as close to the domination limit as possible, then come back and fill the rest with cities in between. Basically, expand as fast as you can, then come back to the ISC after reaching the domination limit.

 

[superslug]

You're absolutely right on that point, Moonsinger. I think I started packing them in that tight out of habit from playing my last several games with many more than 8 AI. I also forgot how slowly the AI expands of Chieftain (meaning room available).

I have started spacing my Settlers better since, although watching 100+ of the units trudging slowly across the pangaea is starting to cause me some yawns. Fortunatly the screaming pillars of smoke that are Korea and Arabia are maintaining my enjoyment...

 

[superslug]

Much to the envy of the real world, I will never again have any trouble with the Arab world or Korea. I'm also over halfway to the Domination limit on tiles acquired. The eastern armies (all Riders) are regrouping just south of Persia, and I have all my newly constructed units gathering north of the Iroquois.

I'm also clipping through the techs at 4/5 turns a piece and should have steam power within 25 turns. I really really want those rails, but it may be a few days due to work schedule.

 

[Darkness]

Just curious, but what's the date in your game right now superslug? For reference, you know....

 

[superslug]

Yeah, I guess I should have posted that, huh? The minimap above is from my last turn, 1070.

 

[superslug]

I'm now in the early 1500's. The AI is reduced to one city that I occasionally raid with Elite units to go GL fishing. I got a second one for another Palace jump and a third to rush Smith's. I'm generating over 2000gpt and cash rushing Marketplaces, Aqueducts, Hospitals and Harbors. I'll eventually get to Banks and Stock Exchanges. I've abandoned research (cut off at Sanitation/Replaceble Parts) but TOE will give me access to Wall Street.

Score is 2000+ and rising with over 200 turns of milking to go.

 

[superslug]

I'm not going to spam up this thread too much with milking updates, but I'm now in the 1600's and have finished rushing Marketplaces. I'm now focusing exclusively on rushing Aqueducts, Hospitals and then Harbors. Everything is irrigated, and I'm dumping my natives back into the general population. My slaves are on pollution duty only.

It's too early to make score predictions, not until I cap out on that.

EDIT: I'm also generating 4000gpt.

 

[Darkness]

What spam?

Just keep us posted man, we're curious...
Do you have any idea yet, if you'll get EMan's 7000+ score?

 

[superslug]

Originally posted by Darkness
Do you have any idea yet, if you'll get EMan's 7000+ score?

I honestly don't have any idea. My score is 2500+ and there's still 200+ turns left, but with population left to grow, I have no idea what my average will be after I cap on that. I'll try and have another marathon session tomorrow to get to the pop cap, I'm just as curious as everyone.

For now, I can sleep content with the knowledge I'll finally finish a game that will qualify for any of the lists!

 

[superslug]

I just completed my 12 hour marathon and still have over 200 turns to go. I still don't know, but it looks like it's going to be close...

 

[Moonsinger]

You can estimate your final score by using SirPleb score calculator (in the Utility Forum). Please note that you will usually end up with a higher score than SirPleb's estimate. What can I say...he is optimistic...like me.

 

[superslug]

I use the score calculator religiously but haven't wanted to quote it yet. I don't think it could give an accurate prediction until the rate of score change between turns was constant, which it's not since my population is still growing. If anything, I thought because of that it would give inflated projections, not lower ones?

If this is opposite the truth, I'm all ears and eager to hear why (as it would mean I have a better shot at Eman).

BTW, in 1798, the cacl puts my 2050 at 6600 or so.