This is my boomstick!!!!

[Killroyan]

Well here we go. We had a bold plan and did we succeed? Stay tuned. First of all did a check of all cities and things were looking good. York finished the worker and I build 2 chariots there so it could grow to size 4 and work a cottage while building a settler. Our capital stayed valiantly on the mids. I finished the monument in Nottingham and then build some chariots to let it grow to size 4 and then started on a settler for the far east.

My biggest flaw in my normal games is lack in focus. For this game we need:
1) Map awareness. We have way too little knowledge of our surroundings, so scout with units.
2) Big cities and a lot of them. So expansion it is. Everything is focussed on this.
3) We have to declare war on the whole continent so we should be gearing up for war asap. If we have to fight 3 fronts at once then things will get tough. If possible make them go to war with each other and when we get the right techs, build an army asap.

Now what did I do with our fourth settler? I did this:

I had no guardian yet to take the settler to the far east and didn't want the settler to sit idle. We need some power increase and there are 3 great barb cities in the vicinity so I thought lets get a unit pump. Horses were up and pigs got pastured quickly. The city has a monument now and rax and will start to build some chariots/settlers. We also need scouts in the form of chariots.


I signed open borders with Mehmed and explored the land. He has a great capital.

Everybody is turning hindu btw so I didn't convert to christianity Just didn't sound right. There goes the plan to get everybody to go to war with each other. Damn. In the meanwhile the oracle got build somewhere and also the great lighthouse. Oh my, can we still make it to the pyramids?

I send more units on their way to explore. Lets see how stuff is looking around our barb city:

Hmmm, there is also bacon there. This is making the barb city more interesting. Right below that city there is another barb city. I tried to catch a worker with our chariot but it got beaten by a single archer. Sigh.

And then there is the third barb city close by. It is settled on the gold with some sheep nearby. It is on a hill so it is going to be a hard fight but we can postpone this one.

A good thing I send the next settler towards the northern spot. It was right on time. Roosie had the same thought but we are first nanana. I have 2 workers there to improve stuff.

Ha the mid are almost done. Oh no the horns. Don't tell me that we are going to miss the mids by 2 turns?????
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Thank god it is the temple of artemis that was built. 2 turns later:

Mids are in. Capital starts on library and then we can start on expansion again. I check everything 1 more time and I see this:

Roosie has alphabet. I try my luck and beg for hunting as he is so pleased with us. Sure no problem, here is hunting. We might considering giving him myst so we open up more trade deals with him. We need alphabet asap.

Last view of our cities:

2 more settlers on the way. 1 could go far east and 1 could go to elephant rice. We have hunting now so this one could become great. Paper is in and now we only have to tech education for 45 turns or so

Overview of the land:

Cree is skipping his turn, so Cam you are up.

 

[Cam_H]

Thanks for the turnset Killroyan - 'nice one' to get Hunting!

Take this as a PPP ...

The way I see it, there are still about five sites to found in addition to taking on the Barbarians, although some are less pressing than others:

Although not the best of them, the Fish-Rice to the west of Canterbury is the one most likely to get nabbed by the AI if we leave it, and it'd be one I'd like to pursue with the next Settler out of York.

The far-ish eastern city that picks up Rice-Horse-Gold will start to seal off that southern line for us, but I note that there's a bit more space to its east. I'd use the next Nottingham Settler on Rice-Horse-Gold.

To seal off the south, I think we need to head all the way to that eastern coast and settle Clams-Cows.

After these three are done, I think that the pressure's off for getting cities to our south, but there are a few half-decent spots down there: Ivory-Rice and Fish-Wheat close to home, and that far south east area still looks promising.​

Suggestions ...

I'd road to Mehmed's turf to get international happening.

We flip into Representation immediately.

The out of London? At this point, regardless of whether it's a Great Spy or Great Engineer, merging into London looks like a workable option under Representation. We could infiltrate somebody with the Great Spy, and wait patiently for Alphabet to become available before embarking on a string of 'steal technology' acts - but I lean more to the more traditional route of trading to back-fill our tech's and avoiding the possible negative diplomatic modifier; "Your spy was caught causing trouble". If we were to infiltrate, I'd consider Roosevelt, who's less likely to DoW. The Great Engineer could be held for the Hindu Apostolic Palace if we can get the religion into our lands (?).

If Hinduism gets into our lands, I'd convert immediately.

What do we think of the possible Mysticism <> World Map deal with Roosevelt?​

Proposed builds:

London: Library, lay down more Cottages on Grassland
York: Settler > Settler
Nottingham: Settler > Warrior (garrison) > Settler
Hastings: Chariot > Warrior (garrison) > Worker
Canterbury: Monument > Barracks > Chariot​

 

[Killroyan]

Sounds like a brilliant plan to me and I had about the same thoughts. Sealing of the east will secure a lot of land for us. The great spy should be settled asap and then we should get the capital to grow, grow, grow and work cottages.

About world map for myst, I would say go for it. Good call. Forgot we already have paper I was on the verge of trying to gift it to him but this is way better.

What to do about the hindu block? Should we start spamming some missionaries soon to get somebody to turn to christianity and break up the religious love fest? Remember we have to declare war on the whole continent once we get to rifling. So we need some quarrels on our land.

If woop agrees with the plan then go ahead Cam.

 

[vranasm]

you were a bit luckier with the alpha then me I think

I told you you need chariots 3 good cities on the radar from barbs ;-)

 

[Killroyan]

We definitely need chariots. If the religious love block starts to get itchy we might get screwed.

I would raze the gold barb city and place it 2S1W. That way it picks up some extra fur. Bad side about that, is that it will need a border pop but I can live with that. I hope we can trade alpha soon to get BW and sailing, etc....

 

[woopdeedoo]

Cam! Good work so far. I am really hoping for an against the odds GE. Although I understand the concept of "free settler" when it comes to barb cities, I am not particularly fond of where they have settled. Teo city is cool but the other two suck. I would raze them and settle thus:

And on the Eastern shores:

It is also worth noting what "Scumbag Mehmed" has been settling:

As far as I am concerned, as soon as we are able to get BW in trade or via espionage, I would like to destroy his civilisation...

 

[Killroyan]

Eastern shore fish is propably going to be settled by our big friend Mehmed. So I would forego on that one. The idea about destroying him is actually a good one. He does have a christian city so maybe we could make him swap, get him hated and obliterate him!! Nicomedia is in a good spot.

I wouldn't want to settle on the wheat though. It is a good spot but to loose a 4F1H tile hmmmm. I would settle 1W of the wheat then. Still gets all the flood plains.

 

[Cam_H]

I've had real troubles getting onto these Forums in the last few days, so my apologies for the hold-ups, but (a.) not my fault, and (b.) I was reluctant to progress the game in case of comments that I might have missed.

OK ... played four turns, but a lot's happened for a turnset that has more or less been spent in Anarchy! I'd like to consult:

I revolted to Representation initially. A couple of turns later, Hinduism landed in Nottingham, and we revolted to join 'the merry throng'. Roosevelt traded his map (please refer to the attached game file), and then we got Bronze Working for Monotheism out of him ... there's Copper in our borders not far from London, but in no BFC. Then, against all odds, we've popped a Great Engineer! I am seriously thinking of the Apostolic Palace in Nottingham, but wanted to pause until I got available feedback.

Some screenshots to this point ...

Spoiler :

Save ourselves some 'scouting' effort:

Hinduism spreads! Sign up for an anti-DoW move ...

Key tech' picked up in trade ...

We have metal!

 

[LKendter]

I've had real troubles getting onto these Forums in the last few days

Ireally understand that one. They have been REALLY slow for me recently.

 

[Killroyan]

Same. Loading this forum took ages. Had something to do with the starting screen I guess. The four turns sound good. But do we want the AP to be hindu and give the other AI the powered religious buildings or do we simply turn christian and then later on convert to hindu again? Or if we are going hindu AP then we should think about UoS after the initial expansion.

About the GE, what tech does he pop? If it helps us getting closer to rifling then we have to use him as stated in the rules. God, I am evil sometimes.

But the biggest thing is, we have copper!!!! Start building the armies Barb cities here we come! Is there a trading chance for alphabet somewhere in there?

 

[Cam_H]

In summary:

An important period for the empire in that we moved into much better civics. Picking up Copper will be handy for both Barbarian invasions and general defence if we can’t improve relations with Mehmed II &#8230; it’s even been suggested we could consider an early war?! Unfortunately the AI settled a couple of spots that we would have liked for ourselves, and this has curtailed our REXing plans. Despite Slavery we’ve not used the whip, and despite Representation, we’re not running a specialist!

Workers are trying to get the Copper Mine done, while we have one guy roading out of Canterbury toward Roosevelt’s turf. There’s one Settler near Nottingham, that I’d send east, but I agree that those Barbarian cities should now become the focus.

Turns 0 to 4

As noted in an above post, we made the trades with Roosevelt, swapped into Representation, converted to Hinduism, traded to get Bronze Working and note that we have Copper within our borders but not in a BFC of any city.

We pop the Great Engineer; Alexander Graham Bell, who due to variant rules, is burned on Metal Casting:

ibt: One of our Warriors dies to a roaming Barbarian Archer, and we turn down Hatshepsut’s offer to exchange Monarchy for Theology. She’s picked up Alphabet, and does have an enticing Iron Working + Alphabet <> Theology trade opportunity. I leave it, but I’m pleased to say that it’s still available at the end of this turnset, so we can look at it as a roster.

Turn 5 (110)

Metal Casting is known by both Roosevelt and Hatshepsut, so nothing to work with there, trade-wise.

Roosevelt takes the costal spot west of Canterbury that we had in mind.

Nottingham: Settler > Forge (needs growth)
Hastings: Chariot > Warrior

Turn 6 (111)

Hastings: Warrior > Forge

We’re now able to change civics again, and I opt for Slavery and Organised Religion.

Turn 7 (112)

We successfully defend against a barbarian Warrior. New civics are implemented and our tech’ rate has to drop to 60%.

ibt: Hatshepsut demands Theology. We decline, but she’s still at ‘Pleased’.

Turn 8 (113)

York: Settler > Worker

Mehmed II settles the coast near Rice-Horse-Gold that includes ‘our’ Gold tile.

Turn 9 (114)

Canterbury: Monument > Barracks

Turn 10 (115)

Found Coventry at Rice-Horse-Gold.

End of turnset screenshots:

Spoiler :

 

[woopdeedoo]

Thanks Cam. I'm confused as to the switch to slavery considering we are not allowed to use the whip. Seems like unnecessary anarchy for a civic we won't use

In addition we have the possibility of the slave uprising event...

 

[Killroyan]

Thinking the same thing, but it is propably out of habit Good turnset anyway Cam.

About the game:
1) We can trade theology around for all available techs propably. Why shouldn't we do it? I guess we do want the AP to make sure we do not get a peace call when we get to rifling. If that is the case then we should start cracking at it in Hastings after the forge is done. If we do not want the AP then just get all the techs. It will improve everything and we might even get iron so barb city capturing is a lot easier.
2) BW is in so chop away now. London can use another cottage or 2 and it has 2 riverside forests.
3) Units: When the copper is up start building axemen in Nottingham to get the barb city. Keep a close eye on Mehmed that he will not snatch that one. I would suggest that Nottingham builds at least 1 missionary to spread the faith. Right now only 1 city takes advantage of OR.
4) Canterbury needs a border pop asap (still 9 turns) but after the pop, pasture the horses and farm the floodplain. And I suggest we start building defense over there after the rax. This could be an excellent HE city. It can work cows, horses and 3 mines for a lot of hammers.
5) We need phant city up and running asap. London could go for a settler after library. Chops go into settler. Same goes for wheat fish.
6) Mehmed is starting to tick me off. The insolence of settling our spots. Grrrrr. I would gladly build an army to tackle him but it will tick of the whole island and it is just too soon.
7) There are 4 barb cities close to us. I guess we do need units By god, we need a lot but at least we can chop now.

Thoughts?

 

[Cam_H]

Oh sheesh. Apol's. Good news (I guess) is that it didn't add to the duration of the anarchy stemming from the switch to Organised Religion.

All sounds good. I'd lean away from the Apostolic Palace in light of no Great Engineer hurry.

I'd like to see an Academy in the capital as well, so no opposition from me if we were able to run some Scientists when we're getting near the happy cap.

 

[woopdeedoo]

1) We can trade theology around for all available techs propably. Why shouldn't we do it? I guess we do want the AP to make sure we do not get a peace call when we get to rifling. If that is the case then we should start cracking at it in Hastings after the forge is done. If we do not want the AP then just get all the techs. It will improve everything and we might even get iron so barb city capturing is a lot easier.

Yes. I agree. We don't need the AP that much IMO. Also IW to chop thos pesky annoying jungles will help get some cities (York) "out the gutter".

2) BW is in so chop away now. London can use another cottage or 2 and it has 2 riverside forests.

Yes

3) Units: When the copper is up start building axemen in Nottingham to get the barb city. Keep a close eye on Mehmed that he will not snatch that one. I would suggest that Nottingham builds at least 1 missionary to spread the faith. Right now only 1 city takes advantage of OR.

I think we need to spread Hindu as far as we can as quickly as we can. It's useless to be in a religion-fueled civic without said religion being present all over the place.

4) Canterbury needs a border pop asap (still 9 turns) but after the pop, pasture the horses and farm the floodplain. And I suggest we start building defense over there after the rax. This could be an excellent HE city. It can work cows, horses and 3 mines for a lot of hammers.

Agreed.

5) We need phant city up and running asap. London could go for a settler after library. Chops go into settler. Same goes for wheat fish.

Definitely!

6) Mehmed is starting to tick me off. The insolence of settling our spots. Grrrrr. I would gladly build an army to tackle him but it will tick of the whole island and it is just too soon.

Mehmed is getting on my nerves but I have to agree. I think once we finish our rex, we can start getting an army together and then go and bash some heads, Mehmed being number one on my hitlist.

7) There are 4 barb cities close to us. I guess we do need units By god, we need a lot but at least we can chop now.

Let's get those barb cities down. Keep in mind that we will need settlers to accompany the armies, considering how badly some barb cities are positioned.

 

[Cam_H]

I don't want to put a 'cold spoon' on all of this enthusiasm, but I'm wary of (a.) warfare at this late stage with no siege, and (b.) the cost of excessive expansion with no access in the foreseeable future to key economic or maintenance reduction technologies such as Currency or Code of Laws. I'm certainly happy to address the Barbarian cities however.

 

[Killroyan]

There is no spoon. War is now not happening. Barb cities are the best thing we can hope for. I think we all agree on on trading away theo. It will still give us a monopoly on paper. Sailing will increase our economy a little. First of all we should focus all our EP on Mehmed if you ask me. After we get alpha we can start to steal maybe from Mehmed. Too bad we didn't get a great spy, because I think he would have netted us in a lot of techs.

About our economy. We do need a lot of cottages if you ask me. When the war starts we need coins a lot. We can still expand to a city of 12 and I think it is possible to get all the rest of the techs like currency and CoL from Paper and some more techs. Calendar would also be nice. Before the war starts we will need some 12 good cities or so. Lets hope we do not get attacked beforehand. No AI is in the state of "we have other things on our mind", right?

 

[Cam_H]

It's woopdeedoo's turn?

All of our is focused on Mehmed. Nobody's WHEOOHRN, and my understanding is that none of the three AIs will plot at 'Pleased', so I'd be wary of turning Mehmed's demands down again seeing that he's apparently on the top-tier of unit spammers.

We have a Settler at the moment looking for a home.

Organised Religion also gives us the 'favourite civic' bonus with Hatshepsut, but I agree that spreading Hinduism should figure in the plans.

(Apologies again for the Slavery ).

 

[Killroyan]

Yes Woop is up.

 

[woopdeedoo]

So this is a "got it". Had a very brief look at the save and spotted this little problem:

I wonder where he is planning on settling... I will have a more detailed look in a little bit and post my comments/PPP.