The human opponent

[walletta]

I have never played a human opponent. What's it like? I just commented elsewhere on the AI's lousy naval play. It must be scary playing an opponent who can use their navy properly or who is totally unpredictable diplomatically. I see myself up against someone like Lanzelot, having my carefully crafted empire dismantled in a few turns

What are the major differences please?

 

[justanick]

One difference is that your opponents are much less likely to engage in a wonder race. Therefore your chances to build a world wonder will increase.

As for diplomacy the human opponents might be more predictable in the sense that you can rely on them. It is urgent to optimize research for optimal tech swap opportunities. It is entirely possible that you ally with the first human you met, at first sign a tech alliance splitting up all ancient techs by equal value and and soon prolong the agreement to include all techs of the medieval age aswell. So research might be extremly predicable.

Crucial techs like military tradition might be highly decisive, great numbers of cavalry might invade your country just one turn after the enemy has reserached MT. That happens when up against an enemy capable of thinking.

 

[Theov]

I have never played a human opponent. What's it like? I just commented elsewhere on the AI's lousy naval play. It must be scary playing an opponent who can use their navy properly or who is totally unpredictable diplomatically. I see myself up against someone like Lanzelot, having my carefully crafted empire dismantled in a few turns

What are the major differences please?

this is why I built Piracy sea units - no nationality. Now, the AI builds them and uses them.
They're still not very good at landing an invasion force, then on the other hand, it makes it harder for me too. To reach the coach is a gamble.