The story so far, the plan and the problem

[Rushton]

So, I am playing as the Celts.

If you look at the attached map I am on an island (the smaller of the 2 large ones). I have just destroyed the Koreans and the next up will be the Arabs so that I have the island to myself. I even have 2 cities on the other main island for later [dance] . I have been able to keep up in tech by having the Great Library but that is now over.

The Plan:

I am building up north of the Arabs and plan to hit them with about 20 knights in about 10 turns or so. Their capital is in the middle and as soon as I take it I will use my Great Leader to make my Forbidden Palace That should help me wipe them out, increase production, get one more luxury and stretch my lead

The Problem

Whatever I seem to do I can´t research fast enough. I have 2 spare tech but the BASTARD AI civs wont give more than 15 gold for them I can´t trade with them for luxuries as I haven´t got navigation yet and I can´t run at a profit and research faster than about 18 turns. Doesn´t matter if I am in monarchy or republic! Aaaaaaarghh!

Suggestions and comments so far gratefully received.

Paul

 

[Shabbaman]

What level are you on?

Have you ever tried the zero science strategy? This is when you research nothing, or very little, and buy everything. This makes that you don't need libraries either, so that saves you a lot of cash.

So you've got a leader? I guess the main reason that you want to build the FP is corruption...

What I always try to do is to build the FP as early as possible close to my capital, as this reduces corruption immediately, and then move my palace (with a GL) to the corrupted area (somewhere in the middle of all that pinky stuff, in your case...)
Next you can start prebuilding wonders (through building the palace...) in your old capital.

Try it.

 

[Scyphax]

I suggest that you build the forbidden palace now. You can only have one great leader at one time and your knights will have no chance at generating another until you have used him.

If the Arabs have any techs you need I suggest you take over most of their cities but not all, and make peace If you have crushed them down to 1 city you can get all their techs, cash and maps.This is of course no good if they don't have any.

The Lighthouse may help with the navigation problem.

You may want to go after some of the big island when you finish with the arabs. This means you need the lighthouse or navigation plus at least one harbour on each Island for transfer of luxuries.
I suggest you plan on having one of these ready by the end Arab campaign.