Well, the civilopedia is pretty complete but some stuff might still be missing and this introduction can show you whether you are interested or not !
Tech-tree
The tech-tree covers only one era and is quite small. There are actually two separate branches for Europeans and Africans (one cannot research techs from the other one).
The different states are differently advanced in the tech-tree.
African techologies are :
African (gives them African features) --> European weapons (they can build gunpowder troops which are more effective but depend on European strategic resources) --> Rebellion (this allows the Africans to produce troops without European shipments and with hidden nationality so they can be a danger for everyone that is a threat for them).
European technologies (gives them European features) then you can see the tree in the screenshot at the bottom of the post.
Troops :
Most troops are civ-specific. Besides some need resources that must be traded, especially for the Boers who are cut off from the sea and depend on Portuguese or Germans to provide them with access to European weapons. Trade embargoes can then be real dangerous in this scenario.
The English start with many strong troops but they are not ready as many of these troops are still in harbor (Capetown mostly) or even in England or India.
Albeit strong their troops are not always used to South African warfare. They especially lack mobility (mounted troops are rare) and need to learn the secrets of guerilla to create troops that can hunt the Boer Kommandos.
India and England provide automatic support troops but these still need to be ferried. The road/RR network needs to be protected to reach the battlefield in time.
Their infantry is their main strength and can also do some worker jobs.
The Boers are ready but they will have troubles replenishing their troops. Mobility and speed are their main advantage to harrass the British troops.
Their Kommandos can be especially useful but don't imagine super-strong troops. They are weaker but have stealth and speed abilities really useful to pillage the road/RR network thus delaying British troops. They can also corner them. But the English have their own "counter-measures". Boers benefit from their gold mines.
They can produced cavalry nearly as easily as infantry but their troops were usually small and they suffer a -1 HP malus.
Boers also have strong culture, not only to draw proper borders but also so conquered Boer cities can revolt back showing the strong opposition of the civilians.
Portugal and Germany are not supposed to be active players. They are valuable trading or diplomatic partners and have enough troops to defend themselves but are not really supposed to engage in war. Portugal cannot (no military alliance) but Germany can.
Zulus are in locked war against the Boers. But they are small and their troops are quite weak as the Boers had a long training in fighting them. However their existence can provide strange tactics and surprises which can seriously annoy the Boers.
The Dependant Africans are neutral but surrounded by the British who can also provide them with European weapons, they are likely to side with the British, but if they discover Rebellion they can also annoy seriously the British.
The "white" civs rely mostly on white professional troops. But they can also use African recruits. Badly considered, lacking training and motivation, often ill-equipped these troops were poor but can act as support or military police or for keeping victory locations.
The Boers and English were the only ones who had a large white population and cities and thus both can build or conscript militias. These troops recruited from hard locals could actually be quite effective, especially behind walls.
So altogether different strategies for war. Using strong infantry columns for the British vs stealth and speed and trying to save one's troops for the Boers.
Improvements :
At the moment there are only 3 new improvements/wonders :
- the camp : often criticized later as the first concentration camps, these buildings can be very useful for the English to quiet revolts in conquered Boer cities. It limits propaganda, adds happiness and create culture (all Civ3-engine-related) but causes a lot of pollution as most workers are in the camps.
- Indian Reinforcements is a wonder that spawns Bengalese lancers and can be built only in India by England.
- European Reinforcements is a wonder that spawns British colonial infantry and can be built only in England by England.
What's different ?
What you have to be careful of :
- gold is now a luxury. It thus becomes a VERY useful trading commodity for the Boers. Besides they provide 8 trade !
- Constitutional Monarchy replaces democracy but has lower WW and is xenophobic to represent the difficulties in controlling the conquered Boers. Republic (Boers) supports more troops.
- Factories, universities and ships are extremely expensive to build so they should be protected. This will avoid also cities full of unhistorical improvements.
- road movement is restricted to 2
- RR can be built (especially to link the existing parts or to repair what the ennemy has pillaged) but it takes resources and a while.
- furs (Europe) and Silks (India) are strategic resources needed to build European reinforcements and Indian reinforcements at their proper locations. They are NOT luxuries anymore.
- Zulus are not 1.2.2 in this scenario !
